Hong Kong police arrested two individuals on Wednesday on suspicion of selling seditious publications and receiving funds from foreign political organizations, authorities announced.
The arrests were made under the city's 2024 national security law. The government statement released Thursday did not name the detainees but indicated they were in charge of a shop in the Sham Shui Po district. Local media reports, citing unidentified sources, identified one of the arrested individuals as Leticia Wong, the owner of Hunter Bookstore. Wong, a former pro-democracy district councilor, has remained vocal following a broader crackdown on dissent in the city.
Police stated that the arrested individuals are suspected of displaying seditious items and selling publications that incite hatred against the Hong Kong government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. They are also suspected of receiving funds from foreign political organizations. The statement did not specify the publications or organizations involved.
Last year, a pro-Beijing newspaper reported that an independent book fair held at Wong's bookstore contained "soft resistance" elements, notably highlighting the planned sale of a biography of imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Wong had previously told the Associated Press that her shop experienced 92 measures from government authorities between July 2022 and June 2025, including inspections and warning letters.
This is not the first instance of booksellers being targeted under sedition laws. In March, the owner and staff of another bookstore were arrested on suspicion of selling seditious publications, including Lai's biography. Those individuals were later released on bail.
Critics contend that Beijing's commitment to maintaining Hong Kong's distinct civil liberties after its 1997 handover to Chinese rule is diminishing. The arrests occurred just one week before the 29th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese sovereignty.
The Hong Kong government maintains that the national security laws are essential for the city's stability and asserts that freedom of speech remains protected.