Booksellers defiant despite security law complaints

Local publishers on Friday insisted that they would not stop selling books that have attracted national security complaints at the ongoing fair in Wan Chai, despite receiving warnings from officials.

One publisher, Hillway Culture, said it had been told by fair organisers that three of its books had been flagged up as potentially violating the national security law.

A project director from the company, who gave his name as Sam, said one of the books involved is about the 2019 Yuen Long mob attacks, and was written by a former journalist.

“The notice simply didn’t tell us anything about how the books violate the law or guidance of the book fair,” he said.

He insisted he would keep selling the books unless he receives further instructions from the fair organiser, the Trade Development Council.

Another publisher, Kind Of Culture, said it was notified by the council of complaints about some of its books. It also said it would continue selling the items nevertheless.

A shopper at the book fair, Natalie, said she felt angry about the complaints.

“I heard some people reported to the TDC and said these should not appear in the book fair. I’m actually quite angry about it. I think these books may not be available in the future, so I hope to buy them as soon as possible,” she said.

A pro-establishment group, Politihk Social Strategic, meanwhile, said it had identified nine books at the fair that might breach the security law.

It said it would be filing complaints to the police’s national security department.