Hong Kong bookstore staff reportedly arrested for selling Jimmy Lai’s biography

Hong Kong authorities have arrested a bookstore owner and his staff for allegedly selling seditious publications, including a biography of imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, according to local media reports. This development comes amid a series of actions that critics say further erode civil liberties in the former British colony.

On Tuesday, the Hong Kong government announced the dissolution of three companies linked to Lai’s shuttered newspaper Apple Daily, declaring them “prohibited organizations.” The government warned that anyone associating with these entities—Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD Internet Limited—would be in violation of national security laws.

Local media outlets, including TVB and the South China Morning Post, reported that Pong Yat-ming, owner of independent bookstore Book Punch, and three staff members were taken into custody. The arrests reportedly centered on the sale of allegedly seditious publications, with “The Troublemaker,” a biography of Jimmy Lai, among the problematic titles.

Police have not officially confirmed the arrests, stating only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law.” When visited by journalists on Wednesday, Book Punch remained closed, with a notice citing “an unexpected situation” for the temporary shutdown.

This is not Pong’s first encounter with authorities. In January, he pleaded not guilty to running an unregistered school after allegedly allowing Spanish classes to be conducted at his store.

Independent bookstores in Hong Kong have increasingly found themselves under scrutiny. Hunter Bookstore, another independent bookseller, previously reported frequent visits from authorities over complaints about licensing issues. In a social media post Wednesday, Hunter expressed confusion about how booksellers could identify which titles might be considered seditious, calling for clearer government guidance.

“Books and publishing are not independent enterprises. They are the cultural foundation of the entire society,” the bookstore wrote.

The companies linked to Apple Daily were dissolved after being convicted alongside Lai in December of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security. They were also found guilty of publishing seditious materials. Each company was fined over 3 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $384,000) while Lai received a 20-year prison sentence last month.

Apple Daily, known for its critical coverage of both Hong Kong and Beijing governments, was forced to shut down nearly five years ago after several top executives were arrested under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. The newspaper had been a prominent voice in the territory’s pro-democracy movement.

Local media reported that police entered the vacant offices of Next Digital, Apple Daily’s parent company, on Wednesday. Besides Lai, six former Apple Daily employees who pleaded guilty received prison sentences ranging from nearly seven to ten years.

Lai’s sentencing has drawn widespread international condemnation, with critics pointing to it as evidence of declining press freedom in Hong Kong. City officials maintain the case “has nothing to do with a free press” and insist the security laws are necessary for stability.

The crackdown intensified Monday when authorities amended implementation rules for the 2020 security law. Customs officials now have expanded powers to seize items suspected of carrying “seditious intention,” and police can demand passwords or decryption methods when investigating national security offenses. Refusing such requests could result in up to a year in prison and a fine of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $12,800).

Secretary for Security Chris Tang attempted to allay concerns Tuesday, telling lawmakers that officers would still need court warrants based on national security grounds before searching electronic devices.

These developments continue a pattern of tightening control since the 2019 pro-democracy protests, raising further questions about Hong Kong’s promised autonomy under the “one country, two systems” arrangement established when China resumed sovereignty in 1997.