Bookstore raids widen Hong Kong security crackdown
HKFP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s national security crackdown extended into the cultural sector in July, when police and customs officers raided two independent bookstores and arrested five people. The case was pursued under Article 23, and one of the targeted shops, Greenfield Bookstore, later said it would close when its lease ends.
Key Points
- On July 15, national security police raided Have a Nice Stay and Greenfield Bookstore, arresting five people suspected of sedition offences.
- The government said the suspects were believed to have committed acts with seditious intention under Article 23, Hong Kong’s homegrown security law.
- Police alleged the group displayed and sold items whose contents could stir hatred against the Hong Kong government, judiciary and law enforcement bodies.
- Wen Wei Po reported Hong Kong Customs had earlier identified books with seditious intent in a shipment sent to Hong Kong from overseas.
- Security minister Chris Tang said on July 17 that authorities would not publish a list of problematic books, leaving booksellers responsible for legality.
Why It Matters
The raids pushed national security enforcement further into Hong Kong’s book trade, leaving sellers without an official list of titles to avoid while still holding them responsible for compliance. Greenfield Bookstore’s decision to close after the operation adds to concerns about how cultural businesses will navigate the Article 23 environment.