China launches fire safety inspections after HK blaze

China has announced a sweeping inspection of fire-safety standards in high-rise buildings nationwide after a deadly fire in Hong Kong left at least 128 people dead, moving to avert any comparable disaster on the mainland.

Special attention will be paid to buildings undergoing external wall renovations and interior modifications, the Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement.

"We must comprehensively strengthen fire safety management of high-rise buildings to effectively protect people's lives and property," the ministry said.

The State Council Work Safety Committee had issued a notice to local authorities launching the inspection, it said.

Chinese authorities remain sensitive to incidents affecting social stability, following a devastating blaze in China's Xinjiang region in 2022 that killed 10 people and triggered nationwide protests amid strict COVID-19 restrictions.

The Hong Kong fire poses a major test to Beijing's grip on the city, and Beijing is moving quickly to show that it attaches the utmost importance to the tragedy.

The announcement of the inspection campaign outlines four key inspection areas, including scrutiny of flammable materials used in external wall insulation systems, banned construction materials such as bamboo scaffolding, fire safety equipment, and emergency evacuation routes.

Local authorities must conduct thorough inspections and take "immediate corrective actions" when safety hazards are identified, according to the statement.

"Strict enforcement measures will be taken against serious violations, and those failing to eliminate major safety hazards will be held accountable," the emergency ministry said.

The Hong Kong fire, which started on Wednesday, rapidly engulfed seven of eight 32-storey blocks at an apartment complex undergoing renovation with bamboo scaffolding and foam insulation materials.