ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hong Kong Bookseller Lam Wing-Kee Dies in Taiwan at 70

other · 2026-07-21

Lam Wing-kee, the ex-manager of Causeway Bay Books in Hong Kong, passed away in Taiwan at the age of 70. His death was reported by Taiwan's Central News Agency, referencing an unnamed source. Lam, who became a symbol of resistance against Beijing's suppression of free speech after being detained by Chinese authorities in 2015, had experienced a cancer relapse last year. He was admitted to MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei on Tuesday, fell into a coma on Wednesday, and died on Thursday evening. After relocating to Taipei in 2019, he reopened his bookstore in 2020. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te expressed condolences, affirming that Lam's bravery would be remembered.

Key facts

  • Lam Wing-kee died in Taiwan at age 70
  • He was seized by Chinese authorities in October 2015
  • He was manager of Causeway Bay Books in Hong Kong
  • He moved to Taipei in 2019 and reopened the bookstore in 2020
  • He had a cancer relapse last year and was admitted to MacKay Memorial Hospital
  • He fell into a coma on Wednesday and died Thursday evening
  • Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te offered condolences
  • Lam gave an account of his seizure in 2016 that contradicted official Chinese accounts

Entities

Artists

  • Lam Wing-kee
  • Gui Minhai
  • Lai Ching-te

Institutions

  • Causeway Bay Books
  • Central News Agency
  • MacKay Memorial Hospital

Locations

  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan
  • Taipei
  • Shenzhen
  • Ningbo
  • Thailand
  • China

Sources