Hong Kong Crackdown on Independent Bookstores

Authorities in Hong Kong have conducted a raid on two bookstores, arresting five individuals on charges of selling allegedly seditious materials. The raid, reported by local media, targeted independent booksellers as part of ongoing crackdowns.

Video footage from news outlets showed police officers in vests marked “Police” seizing boxes from Have A Nice Stay, a bookstore established by former journalists. Police also removed a bookseller from the premises. A similar operation occurred at Greenfield Book Store nearby, as captured in a video by The Collective.

Police confirmed they searched two stores in the Mong Kok district and detained two men and three women under suspicion of violating the 2024 national security law. This marks the third such arrest operation targeting independent bookstores since similar actions in March and June, which have been perceived as efforts to suppress dissent.

An investigation indicated the five individuals were involved in displaying and selling materials critical of Hong Kong’s government, judiciary, and law enforcement. Customs officials were alerted to seditious books found in goods shipped from overseas, prompting police involvement.

The bookstores were closed during normal business hours on Wednesday, with attempts to contact Greenfield and a founder of Have A Nice Stay going unanswered.

Have A Nice Stay had announced plans to close on August 30, citing financial challenges and uncertain legal boundaries as reasons. Hong Kong was once celebrated for its publication freedom, attracting buyers of politically sensitive books by mainland Chinese residents.

The late owner of Causeway Bay Books, Lam Wing-kee, famously revealed his detention by Chinese authorities in 2016. This revelation, involving others from the bookstore, raised alarms about civil liberties in Hong Kong following its 1997 handover.

Since the 2019 anti-government protests, independent bookstores face heightened operational challenges. Authorities maintain that national security laws are vital for stability. Secretary for Security Chris Tang stated there’s no plan to list banned books, as it would be impractical.

In March, police arrested the owner and staff of Book Punch over seditious publication allegations, including a biography of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who received a 20-year sentence. In June, police again arrested two booksellers over similar charges, who were later released on bail.