Hong Kong authorities have raided two independent bookstores and arrested five people for allegedly selling seditious publications. Police stated that the books had seditious intention under the city's national security law.
These arrests occur as restrictions on freedom of speech continue to tighten. Following pro-democracy protests that roiled the city in 2019, Beijing has cracked down on freedom of expression.
Hong Kong was once known for its freedom of publication, but political changes have created a challenging environment for the city's independent bookstores.