Pevita Pearce
Hong Kong’s national security police have conducted raids on two independent bookstores, resulting in the arrest of five individuals suspected of committing sedition offenses. The operation, which saw officers descend upon "Have a Nice Stay" in Prince Edward and Greenfield Bookstore in Mong Kok on July 15, 2026, underscores the intensifying crackdown on perceived dissent in the city. The arrests and seizures are directly linked to the sale and display of materials deemed to carry "seditious intent" under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s homegrown national security law.
The government, in a statement released on Wednesday night, confirmed that the five arrested individuals, comprising two men aged 37 and 57, and three women aged between 30 and 59, were suspected of engaging in acts with a seditious intention. Investigations by the police indicated that these individuals were involved in displaying and selling items that, according to the authorities, could incite hatred towards the Hong Kong government, the judiciary, and law enforcement bodies. Books with alleged seditious content were also seized during the operation. The arrested individuals are currently detained for further investigation.
The raids occurred just hours after visual evidence of police activity outside "Have a Nice Stay" emerged, showing officers loading a significant quantity of materials onto a truck. Eyewitness accounts and media reports from the scene detailed the removal of numerous items, including ten plastic boxes, one cardboard box, a suitcase, and a black plastic bag. Around 5 p.m., a woman, identified by her attire as likely an employee of the bookstore, was escorted from the building by police. At the time of the initial reports, her arrest status was not officially confirmed, and the police had not yet provided further comment.
Officers were present on the street where "Have a Nice Stay" is located from around 2:15 p.m. when local media arrived. Reports from Ming Pao indicated that plainclothes officers had been observed carrying plastic and cardboard boxes up to the bookstore premises earlier in the afternoon, around 1 p.m. Access to the bookstore was restricted, with officers instructing individuals attempting to enter to leave the vicinity. A report from the news outlet The Collective suggested that a representative from a publishing company who arrived to deliver books had their identification details recorded by the authorities. By 4 p.m., a considerable contingent of approximately a dozen reporters had gathered outside the building, documenting the unfolding events.
The timing of the police operation is particularly noteworthy given that "Have a Nice Stay" had announced its impending closure just a day prior, on July 14, 2026. The bookstore cited a combination of financial difficulties and "unclear red lines" as the primary reasons for its decision to cease operations the following month. This sentiment of uncertainty regarding legal boundaries for publications has been echoed by other independent booksellers in the city.
A Pattern of Crackdowns on Independent Bookstores
The raids on "Have a Nice Stay" and Greenfield Bookstore are not isolated incidents but appear to be part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny and enforcement against independent bookstores in Hong Kong. This operation follows earlier arrests of individuals associated with other independent bookshops earlier in the year.
In March 2026, Pong Yat-ming, a well-known Hong Kong independent bookseller, along with three staff members from his bookstore, were arrested on suspicion of selling seditious publications. Among the seized items reported was a biography of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
More recently, in June 2026, Letitia Wong, the owner of Hunter Bookstore, was arrested. Authorities accused her of displaying and selling "seditious" titles and of "receiving multiple remittances from foreign political organizations." Her husband was also apprehended on suspicion of committing similar offenses.
The statement by "Have a Nice Stay" regarding its closure highlighted the pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty. The bookstore explicitly stated that "unclear red lines" made it increasingly difficult to ascertain which books could be legally distributed in the city. They pointed out that authorities had not provided clear guidelines on permissible publications, leading to a climate where booksellers operate under constant apprehension.
The Broader Context of National Security Legislation
The recent actions by Hong Kong’s national security police are intrinsically linked to the implementation and enforcement of national security legislation. Following the introduction of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law in 2020, and more recently, the passage of Article 23 of the Basic Law, which established a domestic security law, the scope of offenses related to speech, expression, and association has significantly broadened.
The offense of sedition, as defined under these laws, targets acts that have a "seditious intention." This can encompass inciting hatred or contempt against the government, the judiciary, or public order. The interpretation and application of "seditious intent" have become a focal point of concern for civil liberties advocates, who argue that it grants broad powers to authorities to suppress dissent and curtail freedom of expression.
The specific mention of "doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention" in the government’s statement suggests a direct application of the legal framework established by Article 23. This legislation, enacted in March 2024, aimed to fill perceived loopholes in the national security regime and was met with widespread international criticism and concerns from within Hong Kong about its potential impact on fundamental rights.
Impact on the Literary Landscape and Freedom of Expression
The ongoing enforcement actions against independent bookstores signal a significant shift in Hong Kong’s once vibrant and diverse literary landscape. Independent bookstores have historically served as crucial spaces for intellectual discourse, cultural exchange, and the dissemination of a wide range of ideas, including those critical of the government. Their closure or the suppression of their operations has a chilling effect on freedom of expression and the free flow of information within the city.
The concerns raised by "Have a Nice Stay" about "unclear red lines" are indicative of a broader anxiety among publishers, authors, and booksellers. The lack of clear definitions and the potential for broad interpretation of sedition laws create an environment where self-censorship becomes prevalent, impacting the types of books that are published, stocked, and made available to the public.
The closure of Elmbook, another independent bookstore, announced shortly before the raids, further illustrates this trend. Elmbook, along with Luck Win Bookshop, was reportedly banned from participating in the annual Hong Kong Book Fair. State-backed media outlets, such as Wen Wei Po, have accused these bookstores of selling titles that promote Hong Kong independence, a narrative that aligns with the government’s security concerns.
International Reactions and Future Implications
The events in Hong Kong continue to draw international attention and concern. Human rights organizations and governments in democratic nations have repeatedly voiced their apprehension over the erosion of freedoms in the city since the implementation of national security laws. The arrests of individuals associated with independent bookstores are likely to be viewed within this broader context, raising questions about the rule of law and the future of civil society in Hong Kong.
The long-term implications of these developments extend beyond the immediate impact on the book industry. They suggest a continued narrowing of the space for independent thought and expression, potentially reshaping the intellectual and cultural fabric of Hong Kong. The ability of citizens to access diverse viewpoints and engage in open discussion is crucial for a healthy democracy, and the current trajectory raises significant questions about the preservation of these essential elements. The continued enforcement of national security laws, particularly in relation to publications and speech, indicates that the authorities are prioritizing stability and control over the unfettered expression of ideas. The future of independent publishing and bookselling in Hong Kong remains a critical indicator of the city’s evolving political and social landscape.
Reynand Wu
Asep Darmawan
