Wang Fuk Yuen Hearing: Bidding Assistance Body Says Government Did Not Request Anti-Collusion Efforts
During a hearing on the major fire at Hong Kong's Tai Po Wang Fuk Yuen community, the Urban Renewal Authority, which assisted in the bidding process, testified that the government had not instructed them to combat bid rigging. Issues of past resident complaints being mishandled emerged.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 16:55
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 1st) Before the fatal fire occurred last year in Hong Kong's Tai Po Wang Fuk Yuen community, residents had complained about bid rigging in the major renovation tender process. At the independent committee hearing on the Wang Fuk Yuen fire, representatives from the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), which assisted in the bidding, stated that their mission was to reduce the risk of bid rigging, and that "the government has never asked us to combat bid rigging or anti-collusion."
A major fire occurred in the Wang Fuk Yuen community last November, resulting in 168 deaths. The independent committee investigating the incident began holding hearings in March this year, entering its 21st day on April 30. According to Hong Kong media reports including Ming Pao and Hong Kong 01, three representatives from the Urban Renewal Authority attended the hearing that day.
The Urban Renewal Authority is a statutory body established by the Hong Kong government. It launched the "TenderSure" mechanism to provide assistance for major renovation projects in private residential buildings, including arranging independent professionals to provide advice and estimates, and tendering for renovation companies through an electronic platform.
Wang Fuk Yuen was undergoing major renovations when the fire occurred. Barrister Du Gan Kun, representing the independent committee, previously stated in his opening remarks that "Hong Yip," the successful bidder for the Wang Fuk Yuen major renovation project, had its chairman, Hou Wah Kin, allegedly linked to five other bidding companies. "Hung Yi," the consulting firm for the major renovation, listed Hong Yip as the top choice and three other companies linked to Hou Wah Kin as secondary choices, but no one disclosed the relationships between these companies.
At the hearing on April 30, Wang Sze-king, Director of Building Rehabilitation at the URA, stated that the URA's mission is to reduce the risk of bid rigging, and that "the government has never asked us to combat bid rigging or anti-collusion." He added that the URA is not an evidence-gathering expert and lacks resources for anti-collusion efforts.
Du Gan Kun stated that during the bidding process, Hung Yi's analysis report submitted to residents indicated that Hong Yip had no litigation records. However, when the URA commissioned lawyers to review after the fire, it was discovered that Hong Yip was involved in 108 prosecutions and conviction lawsuits, questioning whether the URA had failed to verify relevant information. Wang Sze-king stated that they relied on Hung Yi's judgment and that a criminal record might not be a key factor in selecting renovation companies.
Regarding Hong Yip being linked to at least five other bidding companies, Chan Yat-ho, Case Manager of the Building Rehabilitation Department at the URA, stated that this is not handled by the URA. The department would not "magnify" its scrutiny of all 57 bidding companies, emphasizing that they trust the consulting firm.
Du Gan Kun stated that in February last year, three Wang Fuk Yuen residents complained to the URA office about multiple issues concerning the major renovation, one of which questioned the private collusion between Hung Yi and Hong Yip. However, the URA at the time directed residents to inquire with Hung Yi.
Ren Lap-hin, Assistant Manager of the Building Rehabilitation Department responsible for responding to that complaint, testified that the URA's authority is limited and can only handle matters from its own perspective. Faced with issues of consultant misconduct, they can only complain to the consultant firm or government departments. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150501
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 1st) Before the fatal fire occurred last year in Hong Kong's Tai Po Wang Fuk Yuen community, residents had complained about bid rigging in the major renovation tender process. At the independent committee hearing on the Wang Fuk Yuen fire, representatives from the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), which assisted in the bidding, stated that their mission was to reduce the risk of bid rigging, and that "the government has never asked us to combat bid rigging or anti-collusion."
A major fire occurred in the Wang Fuk Yuen community last November, resulting in 168 deaths. The independent committee investigating the incident began holding hearings in March this year, entering its 21st day on April 30. According to Hong Kong media reports including Ming Pao and Hong Kong 01, three representatives from the Urban Renewal Authority attended the hearing that day.
The Urban Renewal Authority is a statutory body established by the Hong Kong government. It launched the "TenderSure" mechanism to provide assistance for major renovation projects in private residential buildings, including arranging independent professionals to provide advice and estimates, and tendering for renovation companies through an electronic platform.
Wang Fuk Yuen was undergoing major renovations when the fire occurred. Barrister Du Gan Kun, representing the independent committee, previously stated in his opening remarks that "Hong Yip," the successful bidder for the Wang Fuk Yuen major renovation project, had its chairman, Hou Wah Kin, allegedly linked to five other bidding companies. "Hung Yi," the consulting firm for the major renovation, listed Hong Yip as the top choice and three other companies linked to Hou Wah Kin as secondary choices, but no one disclosed the relationships between these companies.
At the hearing on April 30, Wang Sze-king, Director of Building Rehabilitation at the URA, stated that the URA's mission is to reduce the risk of bid rigging, and that "the government has never asked us to combat bid rigging or anti-collusion." He added that the URA is not an evidence-gathering expert and lacks resources for anti-collusion efforts.
Du Gan Kun stated that during the bidding process, Hung Yi's analysis report submitted to residents indicated that Hong Yip had no litigation records. However, when the URA commissioned lawyers to review after the fire, it was discovered that Hong Yip was involved in 108 prosecutions and conviction lawsuits, questioning whether the URA had failed to verify relevant information. Wang Sze-king stated that they relied on Hung Yi's judgment and that a criminal record might not be a key factor in selecting renovation companies.
Regarding Hong Yip being linked to at least five other bidding companies, Chan Yat-ho, Case Manager of the Building Rehabilitation Department at the URA, stated that this is not handled by the URA. The department would not "magnify" its scrutiny of all 57 bidding companies, emphasizing that they trust the consulting firm.
Du Gan Kun stated that in February last year, three Wang Fuk Yuen residents complained to the URA office about multiple issues concerning the major renovation, one of which questioned the private collusion between Hung Yi and Hong Yip. However, the URA at the time directed residents to inquire with Hung Yi.
Ren Lap-hin, Assistant Manager of the Building Rehabilitation Department responsible for responding to that complaint, testified that the URA's authority is limited and can only handle matters from its own perspective. Faced with issues of consultant misconduct, they can only complain to the consultant firm or government departments. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150501
Choose to stand with the truth. Every sponsorship you provide is a force protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.