Several arrests at bookstores in Hong Kong

The content of the works contained incitement to hatred against Hong Kong’s government, judiciary and law enforcement authorities, it said.

Books intercepted

Before the searches on Wednesday, customs had, according to government information Books with inflammatory content were intercepted when imported from abroad, whereupon the police began to investigate. Local media reported that the stores were two independent bookstores.

Former reporters founded the “Have a Nice Stay” business in 2022, like the people of Hong Kong South China Morning Post reported. Shortly before, the store had announced online that it would be ceasing operations in Hong Kong on August 30 for financial reasons and elusive “red lines.”

Human Rights Watch: Chinese government fears free thought

Most recently, the authorities took action against others Bookseller before. In June, police temporarily arrested the owner of a well-known store for similar reasons. In March, officers raided another store and arrested four people.

Die Arrests of booksellers in Hong Kong revealed that the Chinese government fears free thought, said the human rights organization Human Rights Watch.

After its return to China in 1997, Beijing promised the former British crown colony a high degree of autonomy for 50 years, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Since the introduction of Hong Kong’s own National Security Law 2024, authorities have repeatedly cracked down on activities that Beijing sees as subversive, separatist, terrorist or conspiratorial.