Democracy activists’ books unavailable in Hong Kong after new law
Books by prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy figures have become unavailable in the Chinese-ruled city’s public libraries, days after Beijing introduced sweeping national security legislation, according to online records and one activist.
The law — which came into force last week when its contents were published — punishes crimes related to secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with punishments as severe as life in prison.
A search for books by young activist Joshua Wong or pro-democracy politician Tanya Chan on public library websites showed the books, including Unfree Speech, co-authored by Wong, either as unavailable or under review.
“The national security law ... imposes a mainland-style censorship regime upon this international financial city,” Wong tweeted on Saturday, adding his titles “are now prone to book censorship”.
The national-security legislation has been criticised by pro-democracy activists, lawyers and foreign governments who fear it will be used to stifle dissent and undermine freedoms in the former British colony, which it was promised when it returned to Chinese rule during handover in 1997.
Just one day after the law came into effect, one man was swiftly arrested for carrying a Hong Kong independence flag.
Last week, the local government declared the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” illegal. Moreover, a man who had driven a motorcycle into police officers during a protest and carried a flag with that message was charged with terrorism and inciting secessionism.
The city’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which runs libraries, was quoted by local media as saying books had been removed as it was being determined whether they violate the law.
Local and Beijing officials have repeatedly said the legislation would not curb freedom of speech or the media, nor any other rights in the city. The new law, they said, only targets a few “troublemakers”.
It is unclear how many books are under review. Two titles by Chinese Nobel Peace Prize-winning political dissident Liu Xiaobo were still available, according to an online search.