NHK

A devastating fire in⁣ Hong Kong’s tai Po district has claimed 44 lives, including one firefighter, as of‍ Wednesday evening, authorities reported.

The blaze, which erupted in seven residential buildings exceeding 30 ‍stories, underscores the ‍critical importance⁤ of stringent fire safety⁣ regulations in densely populated urban environments and raises questions about building maintenance practices. The incident has prompted immediate investigations and arrests, with potential long-term implications for ​construction‍ standards across ⁣the region.

Firefighters continue to battle ​flames in three of the affected buildings,while having successfully contained the fire in the remaining four. Fifteen⁤ individuals are currently hospitalized in‌ critical⁤ condition.

Of the 279 ‍people initially unaccounted for, 72 have ⁣been confirmed safe, according to local media. Search ‍and rescue operations are ongoing⁤ to locate those still missing.

The ⁢origin of the fire remains undetermined, though reports suggest the blaze rapidly spread via‌ bamboo scaffolding erected for extensive repair and maintenance work on ‌the⁤ buildings.

Fire authorities are examining whether protective netting used on the structures adhered to necessary fire-safety protocols.They are also investigating the potential ⁣role of styrene foam⁤ used in the ‍buildings’ construction as a contributing factor to the fire’s swift propagation.

Police have ⁢taken three individuals from the responsible construction company into custody, including senior personnel, on suspicion of negligence leading to the deaths.

Tokyo – Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae affirmed Friday that Japan‘s policy toward China remains consistent⁣ with the strategic direction established during‌ her October meeting⁤ with Chinese ‌President Xi Jinping, despite recent heightened tensions.

The statement comes after‍ Prime Minister Takaichi told the ⁤Diet earlier⁤ this⁣ month that⁣ a potential “Taiwan emergency” involving the use of ‌force could constitute an “existential threat”⁤ too Japan, sparking debate and scrutiny ‍of Tokyo’s position. This clarification is crucial as regional anxieties rise over China’s military ‍activity and the status of Taiwan, impacting security alliances and economic stability in East Asia.

Takaichi told reporters that she⁤ and President Xi had jointly ⁢affirmed a commitment​ to “comprehensively advance a mutually‌ beneficial relationship based on common​ strategic interests”​ and to foster a “constructive and stable ​relationship.” She emphasized ⁣that there has been ‌no deviation from this agreed-upon course.

Regarding the threshold for ⁢a “survival-threatening‌ situation,”‌ Takaichi stated the government will assess each specific instance holistically,⁣ based on available intelligence.⁤ She noted this approach has been consistently articulated by the Japanese government since the passage of security⁣ legislation under former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The prime minister reiterated the government’s unwavering stance, confirming she⁣ has ⁢personally delivered the same clarification on multiple occasions.

BEIJING – A high-level ‌Japanese diplomat is traveling too China this ‌week as tensions escalate following controversial remarks ‍by a Japanese cabinet minister regarding Taiwan, signaling ​a concerted effort to de-escalate a rapidly cooling bilateral relationship.

Kanai Masaaki,Director-General of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau,is scheduled to arrive in China on Monday for meetings with senior Chinese foreign ministry officials.the visit comes after both nations summoned each other’s ambassadors to protest, and⁤ Beijing issued a warning⁤ to its‍ citizens ⁣advising them to avoid travel to Japan, underscoring the severity⁤ of the current diplomatic strain.

The immediate ⁢catalyst for the dispute was a ⁢statement made by Prime‌ minister Takaichi Sanae concerning a potential emergency involving Taiwan. Japanese officials will use the visit to‍ clarify that the remarks did not represent⁣ a departure from Japan’s longstanding policy on Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by China.

Kanai is expected to meet​ with Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and other officials. A key objective of the trip is to persuade China to prevent disagreements from disrupting‌ peopel-to-people exchanges⁤ between the two countries.

Japan also intends to​ formally protest a social media post made by the Chinese ​consul-general in Osaka, which was perceived as a provocative⁢ response to takaichi’s Taiwan comments. The‌ post has drawn criticism from across⁣ the Japanese political spectrum, with some lawmakers calling for the consul-general’s expulsion as⁤ a “persona non grata.”

Kanai will ‍reportedly urge Chinese authorities to take appropriate ⁣action regarding the consul-general’s conduct. The Japanese government is closely monitoring China’s response and hopes that continued ​dialog at the senior official level will help prevent​ further ⁤escalation of tensions.

Beijing recently advised its citizens to avoid ​travel to Japan,a move ⁣widely seen as retaliatory. The diplomatic friction highlights the delicate balance in Sino-Japanese relations, which are frequently enough complex by historical grievances and competing geopolitical interests.

The ‌Japanese government intends to watch‍ China’s moves thru exchanges between senior foreign ministry officials in the hope of preventing tensions from escalating.