He added that the government cares about fake news spread around the city, and will always clarify if any incorrect information is found.

In the meeting, lawmaker Tony Tse Wai-chun criticized the government that they have done a bad job when it comes to refuting rumors during the anti-extradition bill protest and the pandemic.

He pointed out that the Information Services Department hired a PR company for HK$50 million for strategies to refute fake news, but there seems to be no progress for almost 10 months.

Tsui replied that government officials and departments will clarify immediately on different platforms as soon as they find out any fake news or rumors. It is important for the government to outrun fake news, he said.

Tsui also added that the PR company hired has been working on strategies to gain trust back from the society, yet now under the pandemic may not be the best time to execute those measures.

When asked how will the government regulate the problem of “three-nil buildings”, Tsui said that both reward and penalty will be imposed and he hoped homeowners and tenants could co-operate.

The term “three-nil buildings” refers to those without owners’ corporation, residents’ organization and property management companies.

Authorities will accelerate the pipe and drain work for “three-nil buildings”, with the Drainage Service Department and ambassadors to contact homeowners soon, according to Tsui.