Hong Kong independent bookstores face closures and arrests under Article 23

Independent bookstores in Hong Kong are facing closures and staff arrests following increased enforcement of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, known as Article 23. In July 2026, national security police arrested staff from Have a Nice Stay and Greenfield Bookstore on allegations of sedition. These arrests coincided with the permanent closure of Have a Nice Stay, which had previously cited financial strain and political uncertainty as reasons for winding down operations.

Authorities have also intensified scrutiny of book shipments originating from Taiwan. Under new rules introduced in March 2026, Hong Kong Customs is empowered to seize materials suspected of having “seditious intention.” Recent seizures included titles discussing exiled protesters and persecuted ethnic minorities.

Booksellers report that frequent inspections are causing significant logistical and financial burdens. Some retailers have noted that up to two-thirds of their shipments are being inspected, leading to week-long delays. This crackdown follows a pattern of increased pressure on the city's intellectual landscape, including the barring of independent shops from the annual Hong Kong Book Fair.