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Hong Kong's independent bookstores, a refuge for Chinese readers, are under threat
Developing
Chinese university student Fleming Cheng found the political books he had only glimpsed online in a Hong Kong bookstore last year. “If the Hong Kong government desperately tries to bring every aspect of the city into close alignment with the mainland, or even to the point where the two become indistinguishable, that would be a tremendous loss for us mainlanders too,” Cheng said.
Another bookstore, Have A Nice Stay, set up by former journalists, had announced plans to shut down Sunday, citing “elusive red lines” and financial challenges, even before its booksellers were arrested on the same day as Greenfield’s.
He said booksellers should ensure the titles they sell do not harm national security, just as those selling food need to ensure the food won’t cause a stomach ache or be poisonous. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the law is clear about what constitutes seditious intent and reiterated there would be no banned book list.
The offenses linked to seditious intention expressly protect expression of opinions or even criticism against government policies, it said. A bookseller, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government retribution, said they struggled to judge what was seditious.
The authorities accused the booksellers of selling seditious publications, according to government statements and media reports. It said the security laws clearly stipulate that human rights, freedoms of speech and publication should be protected.
Although bail was granted, the 50-year-old shop in July announced it would close at the end of its lease. Cheng said he saw perspectives diverging from the mainland’s official narrative.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Chinese university student Fleming Cheng found the political books he had only glimpsed online in a Hong Kong bookstore last year.
- Cheng said he saw perspectives diverging from the mainland’s official narrative.
- Although bail was granted, the 50-year-old shop in July announced it would close at the end of its lease.
- Another bookstore, Have A Nice Stay, set up by former journalists, had announced plans to shut down Sunday, citing “elusive red lines” and financial challenges, even before its booksellers were arrested on the same…
- “If the Hong Kong government desperately tries to bring every aspect of the city into close alignment with the mainland, or even to the point where the two become indistinguishable, that would be a tremendous loss…
- The authorities accused the booksellers of selling seditious publications, according to government statements and media reports.
- Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the law is clear about what constitutes seditious intent and reiterated there would be no banned book list.
- He said booksellers should ensure the titles they sell do not harm national security, just as those selling food need to ensure the food won’t cause a stomach ache or be poisonous.
Sources
- politicslink