China Launches Nationwide High-Rise Fire Safety Inspections After HK Blaze

China Launches Nationwide High-Rise Fire Safety Inspections After HK Blaze
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Chinese authorities announced on Saturday a nationwide inspection campaign aimed at strengthening fire-safety standards in high-rise buildings in the wake of a tragic fire in Hong Kong that killed at least 128 people, Reuters reported. The initiative — led by the Ministry of Emergency Management and endorsed by the State Council Work Safety Committee — seeks to prevent similar disasters on the mainland.

The inspection will focus especially on structures undergoing external wall renovations or interior alterations. Authorities will scrutinize the use of flammable insulation materials, prohibited items such as bamboo scaffolding, the presence and function of fire-safety equipment, and the integrity of evacuation routes.

Local governments have been instructed to carry out comprehensive examinations and to implement “immediate corrective actions” upon identifying safety hazards. The ministry warned that serious violations will result in strict enforcement and accountability if major risks are not resolved.

The campaign reflects Chinese officials’ heightened sensitivity to incidents that could threaten social stability — a concern that intensified after a fatal fire in the Xinjiang region in 2022 triggered widespread public outcry. The move also underscores Beijing’s urgency to respond decisively following the Hong Kong fire, which rapidly engulfed seven of eight 32-storey apartment blocks renovated with bamboo scaffolding and foam-based external insulation.