Causeway Bay Books Manager Lam Wing-kee Dies of Illness; MAC Expresses Deep Regret

(CNA) - Lam Wing-kee, manager of Hong Kong's Causeway Bay Books, died of illness on the evening of July 2. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) expressed deep regret and condolences, stating it will assist his family and Pastor Wong Chun-sang in handling funeral arrangements. "We mourn Mr. Lam; his love for Taiwan and his commitment to democracy and freedom are worthy of national affirmation."

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced on the evening of July 2 that it deeply regrets and mourns the passing of Lam Wing-kee, who died of illness this evening. The MAC will subsequently assist his family and Pastor Wong Chun-sang in handling funeral arrangements.

The MAC mentioned that during the Causeway Bay Books incident in Hong Kong, Lam Wing-kee was detained by the Chinese Communist Party for an extended period. He subsequently bravely exposed the CCP's wrongdoings. Lam Wing-kee relocated to Taiwan before the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, allowing Causeway Bay Books to be reborn in Taiwan, becoming a symbol of freedom.

The MAC expressed gratitude for Lam Wing-kee's unwavering support for Taiwan's free environment, his affirmation of Taiwan's core values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, and his earnest appeals that "some things are not easily obtained." "We mourn Mr. Lam; his love for Taiwan and his commitment to democracy and freedom are worthy of national affirmation."

Lam Wing-kee passed away this evening at Taipei Mackay Hospital at the age of 70.

The Hong Kong Causeway Bay Books incident occurred in 2015, with the bookstore accused of publishing "banned books." Lam Wing-kee was one of those detained by the CCP at the time. Lam Wing-kee later relocated to Taiwan and reopened Causeway Bay Books there. It was initially located near the Zhongshan Elementary School MRT station, later moved to its current address on Jinmen Street in Zhongzheng District, and reopened on September 20, 2024.

In an interview with CNA on September 19, 2024, Lam Wing-kee stated that as long as one stands on free land, they can find a way to live, and that health and freedom are the most important things. Running a bookstore comes with business pressures, but selling books is secondary; more importantly, it provides a space for people to interact, promote reading, and inspire reflection on the current state of society. (Edited by Lu Jia-jung) 1150702

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