Key facts
- Hong Kong's independent bookstores, which provided access to politically sensitive books for mainland Chinese readers, are facing increased pressure.
- Several bookstores have been targeted by police in recent months under a new national security law, with booksellers arrested for allegedly selling seditious publications.
- The arrests have led to the closure of some bookstores and increased caution among others, impacting Hong Kong's reputation for freedom of publication.
- Authorities maintain that the laws safeguard national security while protecting freedoms of speech and publication, but booksellers report ambiguity in what constitutes sedition.
Hong Kong's independent bookstores, long serving as a sanctuary for mainland Chinese readers seeking ideas suppressed at home, are now under significant threat. Following the imposition of a national security law in 2024, police have targeted several bookstores, leading to arrests of booksellers for allegedly selling seditious publications. This crackdown has resulted in the closure of some establishments and instilled fear and caution among others, impacting the city's once-renowned freedoms of publication and expression.
Greenfield Book Store, a 50-year-old establishment, announced its closure after being targeted by police. Similarly, Have A Nice Stay, founded by former journalists, also decided to shut down, citing financial difficulties and the ambiguous nature of the new regulations. These events underscore a broader trend of diminishing dissent in Hong Kong since the 2020 security law was enacted.
Authorities maintain that the security laws are essential for stability and that they protect human rights and freedoms, including expression and criticism of government policies. However, booksellers report struggling to interpret the vague definitions of sedition, leading to self-censorship and fear of retribution. Landlords have also reportedly faced harassment, questioning their willingness to continue renting spaces to these bookstores.
Readers like Fleming Cheng and Iris Wang expressed concern that aligning Hong Kong too closely with mainland China would be a loss for mainlanders as well, diminishing the unique space of freedom the city once offered. Hong Kong residents like Brian Leung feel a cherished part of their city's identity is being lost with the pressure on these independent literary spaces.