In the latest news from December 3, 2025 by Epoch Times, the Shanghai concert of the Japanese pop star, Ayumi Hamasaki, was abruptly canceled by the Chinese authorities, causing an uproar among fans worldwide. Despite the cancellation, Ayumi Hamasaki responded gracefully without complaints or harsh words. Instead, she staged a magnificent comeback that earned international acclaim. Even though the Chinese authorities tried to discredit Ayumi Hamasaki, they ended up humiliating themselves. Meanwhile, the tragic fire at the Hong Kong Horace Garden claimed more than 150 lives, raising questions and exposing various issues with the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, serving as a wake-up call for Taiwan.
—
“Night Rain Sent Away”
The fallen leaves urge the frost on the branches
The cold rain at night recalls the autumn pond
Where is the candle at the western window now
A thousand years of grace weave into a dream
– Tang Hao
Hello everyone, I’m Tang Hao, how are you all today?
Today, we will discuss two important topics with you:
Topic One: Hong Kong Fire Rings Alarm Bells for Taiwan under “One Country, Two Systems”
Topic Two: Concert Muzzled – Ayumi Hamasaki’s Magnificent Comeback Leaves China Red-faced
First, I’d like to share a comment from our previous episode where we discussed exposing the Chinese Communist Party’s united front tactics. Liao Liwen remarked, “Having dealings with the CCP, signing agreements with them, is like signing a contract with the mafia, becoming a slave contract, allowing oneself to be exploited on a chopping block by the CCP.”
This comment sums up the CCP’s typical modus operandi of luring you in with sweet words, only to exploit and manipulate you. It’s essential to watch our previous episode to avoid falling for the CCP’s united front lies. Now, let’s move on to the first topic.
—
The Hong Kong Horace Garden fire on November 26 was the deadliest fire disaster in Hong Kong since 1948. As of our last update, 151 people have lost their lives, 79 have been injured, and over 30 remain missing, with expected casualties to rise. We express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
Although the investigation into this tragedy is ongoing, it is clear that the fire was caused by human error. Initially, the fire started due to the outer wall mesh of the building catching fire for unknown reasons. However, the mesh did not meet safety standards and could not prevent flames from spreading rapidly. Additionally, the fire alarm inside the building did not sound, leading residents unable to escape, resulting in this tragedy.
Even though the case is still under investigation, this fire is the most significant public disaster since the implementation of the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law, almost turning Hong Kong’s “One Country, Two Systems” into “One Country, One System.” This disaster reveals more “Chinese characteristics” being exported to Hong Kong, serving as a warning for the people of Taiwan. What are these Chinese characteristics?
—
Phenomenon One: Lack of rigorous governance, compromising people’s safety
A year ago, Hong Kong structural engineer Pan Chaohong blew the whistle, warning that the mesh outside Horace Garden did not meet fire safety standards. He filmed the scene, lodged complaints with several government units hundreds of times. Despite the Labour Department Secretariat acknowledging the substandard mesh at Horace Garden, stating that the fire risk was low and did not require fire prevention, the tragic incident spoke otherwise.
After the fire, the Hong Kong government initially claimed the building’s mesh was compliant with fire-resistant standards and blamed the foam boards outside the windows for the fire. However, as seen in recent footage, it was evident that the mesh caught fire rapidly.
On December 1, the government reversed its stance, admitting that some sections of the mesh were not fire-resistant, accusing the developer of “deception” by using compliant mesh on lower floors for inspections and non-compliant mesh on higher floors. The government’s reluctance to blame the mesh initially stemmed from economic interests and employment opportunities linked to Mainland China’s production.
Additionally, the lack of transparency in the legal system and unchecked power facilitated Beijing’s control over the truth. The government quickly shifted focus to the foam boards outside the windows to appease Beijing’s political crisis management exam. However, this opaque legal system hinders truth discovery, deepens public distrust in governmental power and may lead to more significant public incidents in the future.
—
Phenomenon Two: Hidden collusion between officials and businessmen leading to corruption crisis
Whistleblower Pan Chaohong revealed that the fire was a result of collusion between pro-Beijing district councillors and construction industry players, swindling money from residents and endangering lives.
The focus of current public opinion centers on DAB district councillor Wong Pik Kiu, who spearheaded the major renovation at Horace Garden involving HK$330 million. Even the DAB is working to distance themselves from Wong Pik Kiu to avoid being implicated in the scandal.
Who exactly is behind the corruption in this tragic fire? This matter remains subject to legal investigation. However, under the CCP’s system, corruption and collusion rampant nationwide, implicating officials and businesses in fraudulent activities. With Hong Kong now fully controlled by the CCP, corruption and black-market goods are inevitably exported to Hong Kong, a byproduct of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.
—
Phenomenon Three: Restriction of civilian self-help, undermining community spirit
Following the Horace Garden fire, civilians in Hong Kong exhibited the spirit of mutual aid, helping one another with resources and volunteers flooding the scene. Many young people actively transported supplies to assist victims, reminiscent of the “Shovel Supermen” in Hualien, Taiwan. Since the 2019 anti-extradition movement, Hong Kong people have once again united to support each other, touching many.
However, on the third day after the fire, the government deployed “Care Teams” to the shelter centers, taking over all supplies and requesting civilian volunteers to leave. It was later discovered that these “Care Teams” primarily photographed and did not actively aid the victims. Some even misappropriated supplies.
This phenomenon was previously analyzed in the “Shovel Supermen” program, highlighting that the CCP regime does not tolerate large gatherings of citizens, viewing them as threats to political stability where disasters easily breed public grievances and anti-government sentiments. The “Care Teams” were not genuinely there to aid victims but served as a political stability task force prioritizing official interests over disaster relief.
—
Phenomenon Four: Instigation of hatred, inciting division among Chinese, Hong Kong, and Taiwanese people
In the aftermath of the Hong Kong fire, the CCP’s People’s Daily posted a video titled “Have Char Siu Tonight,” mocking the fire through references to Hong Kong’s famous Char Siu rice dish, while mainland netizens began attributing the fire to the bamboo scaffolding, criticizing Hong Kong’s backwardness and insinuating its inferiority.
This deliberate CCP propaganda immediately led to responses from Hong Kong actors like Wong Chau-Sang and seasoned artist Zhen Ni refuting the claims. Resulting debates on whether bamboo was a fire hazard were not the focal point; rather, the question arose, why did the CCP choose to attack the use of bamboo scaffolding instead of addressing the faulty mesh? Was this diversion tactic due to the mesh’s Chinese origin and economic impact rather than fire safety concerns?
The CCP swiftly set the narrative, linking the fire to the bamboo scaffolding in mainland media, shifting blame away from the questionable mesh to avoid implicating China’s Shan Dong Bengzhou Huimin County, home to the mesh supplier. However, their attempts were swiftly debunked and ridiculed, highlighting Beijing’s deceitful tactics.
—
The article continues with the incident involving the cancelation of Ayumi Hamasaki’s concert and her outstanding response, labeled a magnificent comeback, showcasing her professionalism and integrity in the face of adversity. The CCP’s subsequent attempt to discredit Hamasaki’s performance was quickly refuted by fans and the public, further highlighting the CCP’s unscrupulous tactics and lack of shame.
The sequence of events exposed the CCP’s manipulation and Ayumi Hamasaki’s adept navigation through political machinations, positioning herself above the political strife. Hamasaki’s graceful yet powerful response earned global admiration and respect, contrasting starkly with the CCP’s deceitful attempts. The overall incident showcased Japan’s work ethic, Ayumi Hamasaki’s exemplary behavior, and the CCP’s relentless pursuit of propaganda and control.
In conclusion, the CCP’s failed attempt to suppress Ayumi Hamasaki led to a global outpouring of support for the Japanese artist and exposed the CCP’s manipulative and shameless nature. Ayumi Hamasaki’s resilient response and unwavering professionalism demonstrated her integrity and international acclaim, contrasting sharply with the CCP’s dishonest and divisive tactics. The incident ultimately backfired on the CCP, boosting global affection for Japan and exposing the CCP’s deceit and vindictiveness.
—