Hong Kong Raids Target Bookstores Over Alleged Seditious Content

The Greenfield Book Store in Mong Kok district, Hong Kong, witnessed a significant police action on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Authorities raided the location, seizing boxes of materials. The actions marked another step in addressing independent booksellers in the city.

Two bookstores, including Greenfield Book Store and Have A Nice Stay, were subjected to police raids. Officers seized boxes from both locations, capturing the attention of local media. This operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals, including two men and three women, for allegedly breaching the 2024 national security law. The authorities suspect these individuals of displaying and selling seditious publications.

The content in question allegedly aims to instigate hatred against the local government, judiciary, and law enforcement. Police began investigating after customs officials identified suspicious books from overseas. Despite the police not naming the businesses, the bookstores were closed on Wednesday during normal hours. Phone calls to Greenfield and a founder of Have A Nice Stay went unanswered.

Have A Nice Stay had already announced plans to close on August 30, citing financial difficulties and uncertainties in the regulatory environment. Hong Kong, once free with its publication practices, has seen mounting challenges for independent bookstores. In previous years, Chinese residents often traveled to Hong Kong to acquire politically sensitive books unavailable on the mainland.

The city saw international attention in 2016 when Lam Wing-kee of Causeway Bay Books described his detention by Chinese authorities after crossing from Hong Kong. His account, along with the disappearance of others linked to his store in 2015, shocked many in the former British colony.

Following protests in 2019, the environment has become more difficult for independent booksellers. Hong Kong officials, including Secretary for Security Chris Tang, emphasize the importance of national security legislation for stability. Despite this, Tang stated that listing banned books wouldn’t be practical.

Earlier this year, the owner of Book Punch faced arrest over similar allegations involving the biography of former pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai. The story continued in June when two booksellers were arrested for related reasons. They were accused of selling seditious materials and receiving foreign funds. Both incidents ended with the suspects released on bail.