ELUSIVE RED LINE:
One of the bookstores targeted has announced it would close next month, saying it lacked the ability to judge which books could be ‘problematic’
Hong Kong ’s top security official on Thursday said booksellers should ensure the titles they sell do not harm national security, a day after five people linked to two bookstores were arrested.The police operation on Wednesday was the third round of arrests targeting independent bookstores within four months. Critics have raised concerns over the city’s freedom of expression under what they called an unclear red line. Two of the booksellers were released on bail on yesterday morning.
People browse inside the Have A Nice Stay bookstore in Hong Kong, China, on June 2, 2023.
On Thursday, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang (鄧炳強) told reporters that the law is clear.“If you are a bookseller, you have the responsibility to make sure the books you sell won’t endanger national security,” he said. “It’s equal to, for example, when you are selling food, you need to ensure the food won’t cause a stomach ache and is not either poison or illegal.”
