Event Summary
In July 2025, Hong Kong’s third annual independent book fair “Reading Everywhere – Hong Kong Independent Book Fair and Bookstore Festival” was held at Hunter Bookstore, featuring 14 independent publishers who had been excluded from the official Hong Kong Book Fair. The event demonstrated civil society resilience by providing an uncensored platform for local publishing. However, Beijing-backed newspaper Wen Wei Po published a front-page report under the banner “Cracking down on soft resistance,” accusing the fair of promoting an “atmosphere of soft resistance” by selling books with messages that “oppose China and disturb Hong Kong.” The paper specifically targeted books including Jimmy Lai’s biography, Emily Lau’s memoir, and works by pro-democracy commentator Johnny Lau. Organizer Leticia Wong rebutted the accusations as false, stating the fair focuses on local publishing without censorship. In response to the newspaper’s coverage, Hong Kong police indicated they would investigate bookstores selling “seditious books” based on evidence and actual circumstances, while the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department emphasized maintaining national security through licensing conditions. The event highlighted the shrinking space for independent publishing, with publishers facing systematic exclusion from official platforms while being monitored and stigmatized for continuing their work through alternative channels.