A Hong Kong Bookseller Who Fled China Was Honored in Taiwan for His Resistance and Defiance

Taipei, Taiwan – A poignant memorial service was held in Taipei on Friday to honor Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong bookseller who sought refuge in Taiwan in 2019 after his detention in mainland China. Lam, who passed away in Taipei on July 2 at the age of 70 following a battle with cancer, was widely lauded for his unwavering "resistance and defiance against the Chinese Communist Party." The service, attended by dozens of prominent figures and over a hundred members of the public, underscored the enduring impact of his stand for freedom of expression.

Premier Cho Jung-tai, addressing attendees at a Presbyterian church in Taipei, characterized Lam’s life as a profound testament to his struggle. "While a dictatorship can close the doors of [Lam’s] bookshop, it can never lock away his soul that yearns for freedom," Cho stated, presenting a posthumous certificate to Lam’s son, who had traveled from Britain for the ceremony. The presence of several senior Taiwanese officials at the event highlighted the significance of Lam’s story within Taiwan’s broader narrative of democratic resilience and its complex relationship with mainland China.

Lam Wing-kee was a central figure in the 2015 disappearances of five Hong Kong publishers who specialized in books critical of the Chinese Communist Party, particularly those focusing on the private lives of China’s leadership. These publishers, who operated under the umbrella of Causeway Bay Books, vanished in late 2015, only to resurface in mainland custody and make televised confessions. Their disappearances sent shockwaves through Hong Kong, fueling anxieties about the erosion of freedoms guaranteed under the "one country, two systems" framework.

A Timeline of Defiance and Exile

The saga of Lam Wing-kee is marked by a series of significant events that illustrate his courage and determination:

• Late 2015: Lam Wing-kee, along with four other publishers associated with Causeway Bay Books, disappears from Hong Kong.
• Mid-2016: Lam resurfaces in mainland China and is allowed to return to Hong Kong on the condition that he retrieve a hard drive containing customer records from his bookstore and report back to the mainland authorities.
• June 2016: Instead of complying with the authorities’ demands, Lam skips bail and publicly recounts his ordeal. He details how he was blindfolded by mainland police after crossing the border into Shenzhen and subjected to months of interrogation.
• April 2019: Following Hong Kong’s announcement of proposed extradition legislation that would allow individuals to be sent to mainland China for trial, Lam flees to Taiwan. This proposed law, which sparked widespread fear of political persecution, ultimately ignited months of massive, and at times violent, pro-democracy protests across Hong Kong in late 2019.
• 2020: Lam reopens his bookstore, Causeway Bay Books, in Taipei, becoming a prominent voice advocating for the protection of Taiwan’s democratic system.
• 2023: Lam reveals that his lung adenocarcinoma had recurred and progressed to stage four. He subsequently closes his bookstore citing health reasons.
• July 2, 2024: Lam Wing-kee passes away in Taipei.
• July 31, 2024: A memorial service is held in Taipei to honor Lam Wing-kee’s life and legacy.

The Struggle for Freedom of Expression

Lam’s story is intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for freedom of speech and the press in Hong Kong, a city that once prided itself on its vibrant civil society and open discourse. The disappearances of the Causeway Bay Books publishers were seen by many as a direct assault on these freedoms, orchestrated by Beijing to silence dissenting voices and exert greater control over the territory.

The books sold by Causeway Bay Books were known for their candid, often sensational, accounts of the personal lives and alleged scandals of China’s top leaders. These publications, while controversial, catered to a segment of Hong Kong’s readership eager for information unavailable through state-controlled mainland media. The authorities’ actions against the publishers were widely interpreted as an attempt to extend Beijing’s censorship apparatus beyond its borders, undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy.

Lam’s decision to flee to Taiwan rather than cooperate with mainland authorities marked a pivotal moment in his personal journey and amplified the international outcry against China’s human rights practices. His subsequent reopening of Causeway Bay Books in Taipei was not merely a commercial endeavor but a symbolic act of defiance, a continuation of his mission to provide access to uncensored information and to advocate for democratic values.

Voices of Remembrance and Defiance

At the memorial service, attendees reflected on Lam’s courage and his profound impact. Tseng Chien-yuan, executive director of the Taipei-based civil society group Citizen Congress Watch, remarked, "Although he was hunched, his defence of freedom stood tall." This sentiment was echoed by many who saw Lam as a symbol of resilience against overwhelming political pressure.

A woman identified only as Ms. Lee, who met Lam through volunteer work for a Taiwanese grassroots movement, shared a poignant memory. "What left the deepest impression on me was [Lam] saying, ‘You have freedom and democracy in Taiwan, and you must cherish them. Our freedom and democracy in Hong Kong are already gone.’" This statement encapsulates the profound sense of loss felt by many Hong Kongers and serves as a stark reminder of the changing political landscape in the territory.

Lam’s efforts in Taiwan were not confined to simply running a bookstore. He actively engaged with the local community, frequently urging people to safeguard the island’s democratic system. His experiences, shared through his bookstore and public appearances, served as a constant reminder of the fragility of freedoms and the importance of vigilance.

Broader Implications and Analysis

The legacy of Lam Wing-kee extends beyond his personal story. His memorial service in Taipei underscores Taiwan’s role as a sanctuary for those fleeing political persecution from mainland China. It also highlights the ongoing international concern regarding China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong and its broader implications for press freedom and civil liberties across the region.

The events surrounding the Causeway Bay Books case and Lam’s subsequent exile serve as a case study in the extraterritorial application of Chinese law and censorship. Beijing’s perceived willingness to disregard Hong Kong’s legal autonomy to silence critics has raised serious questions about the future of international business and free expression in the city.

Lam’s passing, while a personal tragedy, also marks a moment for reflection on the sacrifices made by individuals in the pursuit of freedom. His life’s work, from his courageous stand against detention to his advocacy in Taiwan, continues to inspire those who believe in the importance of uncensored information and democratic values. The support shown by Taiwanese officials and citizens at his memorial service signifies a shared commitment to these principles and a firm stance against authoritarian encroachment. As Taiwan continues to navigate its own complex geopolitical landscape, Lam Wing-kee’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for freedom and the courage it takes to defend it. His bookstore in Taipei, though now closed, leaves behind a legacy that will continue to resonate in the ongoing fight for human rights and democratic freedoms in the region.