Hong Kong's top security official, Chris Tang, warned booksellers on Thursday to ensure their titles do not endanger national security, a day after police arrested five people linked to two independent bookstores. The raids targeted Have A Nice Stay and Greenfield Book Store, with authorities alleging the stores displayed and sold seditious materials that stirred hatred against the government, judiciary, and law enforcement.
Critics have raised concerns over freedom of expression under what they call an unclear red line. Have A Nice Stay, founded by former journalists, announced it would close on Aug. 30, citing financial difficulties and the elusive red line. The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on independent bookstores, with previous raids in March and June targeting other shops and booksellers.