End of story or new chapter? How Hong Kong’s independent booksellers are adapting to life under national security law
- Political activist and independent publisher hit brick wall twice recently in bid to sell books in Hong Kong
- Author says she has seen a trend of publishers steering away from heavy political content to keep their business afloat
He swiftly pooled together 12 local publishers for a Hongkongers’ Book Fair, which aimed to offer readers titles with local flair or collections deemed too sensitive or unmarketable at the week-long mainstream event, Asia’s largest. But just before its launch last week, Yeung’s plan hit a wall.
Independent bookstores and publishers, especially those which sell titles deemed sensitive by the authorities, have found themselves at a crossroads since the Beijing-imposed national security law came into force two years ago.
Yeung said he was told by the owner of the private venue at Mall Plus in Causeway Bay, where the fair was to be held, that his booking had been terminated.
The venue owner told him he had breached the contract by subletting the space. But the teacher turned publisher, known for his activism during the 2019 anti-government protests, disputed the claim, saying he suspected political considerations were at play.
That was also his suspicion over the decision by the Trade Development Council (TDC) when the statutory body rejected his application for the book fair.
