Hong Kong has said all public libraries must comply with its national security law after a pro-China lawmaker highlighted that a local branch had prominently displayed books written by media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.
On Thursday evening (June 24), Hong Kong’s government said it was investigating reports of a local public library displaying books written by a person awaiting trial for suspected breaches of the national security law.
Earlier on Thursday, pro-China lawmaker Cheung Kwok Kwan posted a photo on Facebook of a book display featuring several books related to Lai. Mr Cheung, a member of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s advisory Executive Council, said citizens complained that the library recommended books related to Lai, who is suspected of violating the national security law.
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In a statement, the government said library collections must comply with the security law, a development similar to the government’s recent national security additions to the city’s film censorship guidelines.
“With the promulgation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong Public Libraries must ensure that its collections are in compliance with the relevant law,” a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said in a statement.
“If any staff member is found to be involved in the issue, the LCSD will consult the relevant departments and handle the matter in a serious manner, in accordance with the established mechanism, and take appropriate actions.”