Taiwan Honors Late Hong Kong Bookseller Lin Rongji, Vows to Protect Democracy

Lin Rongji, former manager of Hong Kong’s "Copperplate Bookstore" (銅鑼灣書店), died at age 70 on 2 July after a short illness. He became a symbol of Hong Kong’s struggle for free expression after being detained for eight months during the 2015 "Copperplate Bookstore incident". He moved to Taiwan in 2019 and reopened the bookstore in Taipei as a cultural hub for readers and activists.

At his funeral service, Taiwanese Deputy Premier Zhuo Rongtai presented a presidential commendation on behalf of President Lai Ching‑te. Officials, including Cultural Minister Li Yuan and Mainland Affairs Council chair Chiu Chui‑jen, pledged that the Copperplate Bookstore will not disappear and reiterated Taiwan’s commitment to defend democracy, human rights and freedom against authoritarian pressure. The ceremony also noted recent Chinese raids on a Hong Kong independent bookstore, underscoring the continuing threat to press freedom.