"I Am a Bookstore Clerk" Woman Handcuffed and Taken Away — Hong Kong's Two Independent Bookstores Raided by National Security Police, Five Arrested

On July 15, Hong Kong's national security police conducted surprise raids on two independent bookstores, 'Liu Xia Bookstore' and 'Tianyuan Bookstore,' arresting at least five individuals. According to multiple Hong Kong media reports, several bookstores have recently been targeted by national security police raids and arrests. Notably, Liu Xia Bookstore had just announced on July 14 that it would cease operations by the end of August, citing 'elusive red lines' and uncertainty about the future. The next day, police arrived.

In a statement late on July 15, the Hong Kong government said that the National Security Department arrested five people on suspicion of violating Article 24 of the 'Safeguarding National Security Ordinance'—'engaging in acts with seditious intent.' A batch of books was also seized.

A female clerk from Liu Xia Bookstore, wearing a black T-shirt with the words 'I Am a Bookstore Clerk,' was seen being handcuffed behind her back and taken away by a large police contingent. The video quickly spread on social media, drawing widespread support from overseas Hong Kongers and Chinese-language internet users.

On July 16, Taiwan's President Lai Qingde issued a statement via social media, emphasizing that Hong Kong's freedom of publication, reading, and speech is under continuous and severe pressure. He expressed concern and respect for all bookstore and cultural workers坚守 their posts amid difficulties, stating that 'thoughts and words should never be imprisoned by political pressure.'

Five individuals from two bookstores arrested by national security police — first conviction carries up to seven years

According to reports by 'Chasing Light' and 'Jizhi Society,' Hong Kong's national security police raided 'Liu Xia Bookstore' in Mong Kok around 1 p.m. on July 15. Officers blocked non-residents from entering the building. After a four-hour search, police took away a female clerk wearing a 'I Am a Bookstore Clerk' shirt at around 5 p.m., along with multiple boxes of items. Towels with the words 'freedom' and 'storm' hanging from the window were removed afterward.

On the same day, 'Tianyuan Bookstore' in Mong Kok, a few blocks away, was also raided. The bookstore's manager and four boxes of items were taken away.

At 10 p.m., the Hong Kong government stated that customs had referred a case to the National Security Department after discovering 'seditious books' in a shipment from abroad. The department searched two shops in Mong Kok, arresting five people: two men aged 37 and 57, and three women aged 30 to 59. All are suspected of violating Article 24 of the 'Safeguarding National Security Ordinance'—'engaging in acts with seditious intent.' Police noted that a first conviction under this charge could result in up to seven years in prison.

Suspected link to Taiwan publications — this is not the first time Hong Kong's independent bookstores have been searched

Media citing sources reported that the 'seditious books' discovered by Hong Kong customs included 'Where the Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in the Xi Jinping Era,' published by Taiwan's Weicheng Publishing. The book, written by NPR journalist Emily Feng, documents individuals struggling under Beijing's tightening identity controls. One chapter features Lam Wing-kei, owner of Causeway Bay Books, who was detained by Chinese authorities in 2015, becoming a symbolic figure in the battle for Hong Kong's publishing freedom. Lam later reopened his bookstore in Taipei and passed away earlier this month.

The outlook for Hong Kong's independent bookstores has worsened recently, with many facing suppression, raids, and arrests. According to 'Jizhi Society,' on March 24, Pang Yat-ming, founder of Fist Bookstore, and three employees were arrested by national security police on suspicion of violating Article 23 for 'acts with seditious intent.' Books sold at the store, including 'The Biography of Jimmy Lai,' were seized.

Three months later, on June 29, Huang Wenxuan, founder of Hunter Bookstore, and her husband were arrested on the same charge, along with suspected money laundering.

Days later, it was reported that Yulin Bookstore and Lok Man Bookstore were abruptly disqualified from participating in the Hong Kong Book Fair. The fair is a crucial annual income source for independent bookstores; being banned is equivalent to cutting off their livelihood. On July 8, Yulin Bookstore announced it would 'gloriously close its doors' when its lease ends in April next year.

Media sources suggest that 'Where the Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in the Xi Jinping Era,' published by a Taiwan-based publisher, was among the books seized in this raid.

'Elusive red lines' — Hong Kong's independent bookstores face existential threats

Having witnessed peers arrested under national security laws and struggling to survive, Liu Xia Bookstore announced on July 14 that it would close on August 30, stating: 'Recent events may be the last straw... social environment, building conditions, financial issues, team members' personal development, family, and mental health all force us to consider ending operations. The elusive red line is also a factor. Authorities have made it clear they won't specify which books are banned. We have no way to judge which books are 'problematic.''

Founded in 2022 by former 'Stand News' journalists and veteran media figure Szen Wan-wah after the closures of 'Apple Daily,' 'Stand News,' and 'Chung Hwa News,' Liu Xia Bookstore lasted four years before falling victim to this sweeping crackdown on independent bookstores.

This raid on bookstores highlights the severe restriction on freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Selling and reading books have become national security issues that easily cross the Chinese Communist Party's 'red lines.' The image of the female clerk in the 'I Am a Bookstore Clerk' shirt being handcuffed has rapidly spread online, drawing online support from numerous Taiwan bookstores.

On July 16, President Lai Qingde voiced support on social media, expressing concern and respect for all bookstore and cultural workers坚守 their posts amid difficulties. He emphasized that 'thoughts and words should never be imprisoned by political pressure.' Lai stated that 'each independent bookstore is a vital guardian of thought.' Regarding the recent raids on multiple Hong Kong independent bookstores and the arrests of staff, he noted that this reflects the continuous and severe pressure on Hong Kong's freedom of publication, reading, and speech.