Hong Kong Independent Bookstores Face Crackdown Under Security Laws
Independent bookstores in Hong Kong, essential for mainland Chinese readers seeking politically sensitive works, are facing serious challenges after arrests linked to a national security law implemented in 2024. In just four months, police actions targeted Book Punch in March, Hunter Bookstore in June, and both Greenfield and Have A Nice Stay in July for allegedly distributing seditious material. Greenfield, with a legacy of 50 years, will close once its lease runs out, while Have A Nice Stay, founded by ex-journalists, is shutting down due to financial strain and vague regulations. This crackdown is a result of the 2020 security law, which has further escalated the stifling of dissent. Chris Tang, the Secretary for Security, noted there won’t be a list of prohibited books, complicating imports from Taiwan and raising alarm about freedom of speech.
Key facts
- Hong Kong independent bookstores face severe pressure from Chinese authorities under a 2024 national security law.
- Police targeted four bookstores in four months: Book Punch (March), Hunter Bookstore (June), Greenfield and Have A Nice Stay (July).
- Greenfield Book Store announced closure at end of lease in July; Have A Nice Stay announced shutdown due to 'elusive red lines' and financial challenges.
- Booksellers accused of selling seditious publications; no specific banned book list provided.
- Secretary for Security Chris Tang said law is clear and no banned book list will be issued.
- Hong Kong's 2020 security law led to arrests of activists and removal of titles from public libraries.
- Taiwan publishers released six times more books about Hong Kong between 2020 and 2024 than previous five years.
- Taiwan logistics firm stopped shipping books to Hong Kong bookstores under investigation in July.
- Readers and writers express fears over loss of freedom of expression in Hong Kong.
Entities
Artists
- Fleming Cheng
- Iris Wang
- Brian Leung
- Lam Wing-kee
- Chris Tang
- Cheng Tsu-Bang
- Lee
Institutions
- Greenfield Book Store
- Hunter Bookstore
- Book Punch
- Have A Nice Stay
- Causeway Bay Books
- Tunghai University
- FTV
- Hong Kong Police
- Hong Kong Legislative Council
- Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council
- Associated Press
Locations
- Hong Kong
- China
- Taiwan
- Guangdong
- Prince Edward district
- Mong Kok district
- Cheung Sha Wan