Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Chris Tang states booksellers must ensure their titles do not endanger national security.
Hong Kong authorities conducted raids on independent bookstores, arresting five people on suspicion of possessing and selling allegedly seditious publications. The raids marked the third such enforcement action targeting local booksellers in recent months. During the incident, officials stated the publications contained content deemed to stir up hatred against the city’s government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. Secretary for Security Chris Tang told reporters that booksellers bear the responsibility of ensuring the materials they sell do not endanger national security, comparing it to food safety regulations. He emphasized that the law remains clear and that the government would not issue a banned list, as such measures would not aid effective law enforcement. These operations follow previous incidents where police acted against bookstores, including those previously linked to former pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Amid increased regulatory scrutiny, the industry has emphasized the challenges faced by independent businesses while officials maintain that national security laws are crucial for the city's stability.