Two independent bookstores in Hong Kong were recently searched by the Hong Kong police’s National Security Department, resulting in the arrest of five individuals. The police have accused them of selling and displaying books with alleged “seditious intent.”
According to a statement released by the Hong Kong government on July 15th, the National Security Department of the Police Force arrested two men aged 37 and 57, as well as three women aged between 30 and 59, charging them with violating the National Security Law by committing acts with seditious intent.
The police claimed that seditious books were discovered in a batch of goods imported into Hong Kong from overseas, which led to the search and seizure of books from the two bookstores in question.
The five individuals are currently detained for investigation and could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
The Hong Kong authorities have not disclosed the names of the bookstores that were searched. However, a journalist from Agence France-Presse witnessed a handcuffed woman being escorted by the police from the “Stand News Bookstore” to a police vehicle.
According to reports from various Hong Kong media outlets, on July 15th at 1 p.m., personnel from the National Security Department conducted a four-hour search at the “Stand News Bookstore” in Mong Kok, before taking away a female staff member and multiple boxes of items around 5 p.m.
Plainclothes police officers were seen carrying plastic and cardboard boxes into the building where the “Stand News Bookstore” is located, with plainclothes officers stationed outside prohibiting most people from entering. Some individuals attempting to enter were asked for identification, including someone trying to deliver books.
The “Stand News Bookstore” was established in May 2022 by veteran media personality and several former journalists from “Stand News.”
Just one day before the police action, the bookstore announced on social media its plan to close by August 30th. The post cited reasons for closure including societal environment, uncertainties related to the building’s condition, financial concerns, personal development of team members, as well as their families’ and personal well-being. The elusive “red line” was also mentioned as a contributing factor.
Hong Kong media reports, citing anonymous sources, mentioned that another searched bookstore was the “Countryside Bookhouse.”
When reporters from Agence France-Presse visited the Countryside Bookhouse during its operating hours, they found the bookstore closed.
Since the eruption of the “Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement” in 2019, followed by the implementation of the National Security Law by the Chinese central government in 2020, and the completion of Article 23 legislation in 2024 by the Hong Kong government, several independent bookstores in Hong Kong have been subject to searches.
For instance, the “One-Fist Bookstore” in Sham Shui Po was searched by the National Security Department on March 24th this year. The owner, Pang Yiming, and three staff members were arrested for allegedly selling seditious publications, including the book “Lai Chee-ying’s Biography.” They were later released on bail.
Similarly, the “Hunter Bookstore” in Sham Shui Po was also searched by the National Security Department on June 24th, resulting in the arrest of the store manager, Wong Man-huen, and her husband. They were accused of violating the National Security Law, and a significant amount of seditious materials, books, and documents were seized from the store and their residence. Both individuals were later released on bail pending further investigation, and the store temporarily closed before reopening on July 7th.
Moreover, two long-standing independent bookstores, “Flowtime” and “Yulin,” had their qualifications for participating in the Hong Kong Book Fair revoked by the Trade Development Council at the end of June. Following this, Flowtime Bookstore announced a significant discount for its 48th anniversary, offering 35% off Taiwan editions and 20% off Hong Kong editions, while Yulin Bookstore announced the closure of its physical store by April next year.