Salford Hong Kongers are set to commemorate victims of a fire at a high-rise estate that claimed the lives of more than 120 people in their home country.
On 26 November, Hong Kong suffered its deadliest fire in more than 60 years as a blaze ripped through the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court housing estate, killing at least 146 people.
Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the fire and an investigation has been launched, but what initially caused the blaze is still unclear.
Salford Hongkongers CIC have organised a memorial to remember the victims of the tragedy, taking place at Parsonage Gardens, Manchester, M3 2LF on Sunday, December 7 from 1pm until 4pm.
Manson Yiu, director of the group, said: “We would like to get everyone in Greater Manchester and the North West, all Hong Kongers coming together. Even though some of us are apart and in different countries. We still stand together.
“A lot of Hong Kongers live in Greater Manchester, this is not only us, it’s for everyone.
“Yes, we are Salford Hongkongers, but I don’t want any logos on my posters or anything. The message is that all Hong Kongers can come and attend the memorial.
“Everyone is still in that emotional state, everyone is still upset. We need to be a community and do activities to let that emotion come out.
“Everyone is always checking the news, their social media, everyone wants to know more. What is the truth? People keep reading the sad news and someday the emotion will be exposed.
“So, at least let’s have one day where we can talk. I hope everyone can come. Don’t stay at home, let the emotion come out and think what we can do to help?
“We have had some other gatherings. A cup of tea, just to talk, to let people share their emotions. Sometimes, not too many people can come when we have weekday gatherings. We have a WhatsApp group to just share things.
“This is the point of Sunday. If you just stay at home reading social media, the emotion will get worse. I don’t want that, so I found a venue so everyone can come out.”
More than 150,000 Hongkongers have moved to the UK since the creation of the British National Overseas (BNO) visa was introduced in 2021, which was introduced in response to restrictions on democratic freedoms in the country.
Salford is known as Britain’s ‘Little Hong Kong’, with more than 2,000 Hong Kongers living in the city.
The group regularly run board game nights, a monthly ‘cuppa gathering’, a kung-fu class and a Cantonese opera class to bring the local Hong Konger community together.
The group has over 1,000 volunteers and serves more than just Hong Kongers, having helped Salford Food Bank and hosted organised litter picks.
Manson expects around 1,000 Hong Kongers from the city of Salford to attend, with even more from surrounding areas coming to pay their respects.
On the day, the group will hold a minute’s silence, lay flowers and allow attendees to share their thoughts in a memory book and via an open microphone.
Manson said: “In Hong Kong, they have the money to support them. We just want the truth. That’s what’s missing, not the money. Someone said that the government have used this situation to make the national security break down.
“We just want the truth. There are YouTubers there who are not to share anything. If they share, they will be arrested.
“A lot of Hong Kongers are living in Manchester, but they still have family in Hong Kong. They are scared, they will keep silent. So if we don’t voice out and get the truth, we may never get the truth. If we keep talking, it may be dangerous. This situation is very hard.”
You can find out more about the memorial event here.
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