Hong Kong: Bookstore Owner & Staff Arrested Over Sedition Publications

Hong Kong national security police have arrested four individuals, including the owner and staff of “One-Punch Bookstore,” on suspicion of selling seditious publications. The arrests took place on Wednesday, according to reports from Hong Kong01, Hong Kong Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), and Sing Tao Daily.

Pang Yim-ming, the owner of One-Punch Bookstore, is among those detained, alongside three employees. Authorities suspect the bookstore was involved in the sale of publications deemed to incite subversion, according to Star Island. The arrests follow a recent increase in scrutiny of materials available at the bookstore, which has been a known source of pro-democracy literature.

The specific publications allegedly inciting sedition include a biography of Joshua Wong, titled “I Am Not a Hero,” and other titles considered politically sensitive. According to reports, the investigation centers on whether the bookstore knowingly distributed materials with the intent to provoke unrest.

The Hong Kong authorities have not yet released detailed statements regarding the specific charges or evidence supporting the arrests. However, the move is consistent with a broader crackdown on dissent following the implementation of the national security law in 2020.

The arrests come amid increasing concerns about the shrinking space for free expression in Hong Kong. One-Punch Bookstore has previously been targeted by pro-Beijing groups for its selection of books, which often feature critical perspectives on the Chinese government and Hong Kong’s political landscape.

As of Wednesday evening, the bookstore was closed, and authorities were conducting searches of the premises. The individuals detained are currently being held for questioning, and their legal representation has yet to be confirmed. The case is expected to draw international attention, given the bookstore’s profile and the implications for freedom of the press in Hong Kong.