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Written by: Golden Chess
2020-07-06 14:42
Date of last update: 2020-07-06 14:42After the "Minato City National Security Law" came into effect, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department recently removed many books from the library and pointed out whether it would be illegal to review the contents of some books. A number of Tsuen Wan District Councillors petitioned the Tsuen Wan Public Library today (6th) to oppose the removal of relevant books from the authorities. The criticism was to suppress freedom of expression. They also said that they would consider suspending the grants related to public libraries. If the authorities do not put the books back on the shelves, they will examine whether all the LCSD’s proposed grants have been approved.
Searching through the online system of the Hong Kong Public Library, many books related to politicians are shown as "under review" and are temporarily unavailable for borrowing, including "I am not a hero" by former Hong Kong Secretary-General Huang Zhifeng and the Citizens’ Legislative Council Congressman Chen Shuzhuang's "Walk While Eating and Fight" and so on.
Six Tsuen Wan District Councillors petitioned outside the Tsuen Wan Public Library today, screaming "Burn Books Today Tomorrow" and other slogans. Tsuen Wan District Councillor Tan Kaibang believes that books that have been delisted and reviewed by the authorities are no problem, and they must defend freedom of expression and freedom of publication. He also pointed out that there are many community projects of the LCSD. If the activities involve the approval of the District Council, the Tsuen Wan District Council has the power to veto all the LCSD funding.
Pan Langcong criticized the authorities for suppressing freedom of speech this time, and described Hong Kong as "the era of Qin Shi Huang". (Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Guoan Law｜Huang Zhifeng's bookstore off the library still sells political books to cover the words "Recover Hong Kong"
National Security Law｜Public Library Delists Huang Zhifeng, Chen Yun, Chen Shuzhuang's Writing Staff: To be reviewed
National Security Law｜Democratic district councillors urge the LCSD to re-list the “banned books”, otherwise the funding will be interrupted
Tan pointed out that at this stage, the Tsuen Wan District Councillors will consider suspending the grants related to public libraries. They are worried that the authorities will not make good use of the grants and will decide to act depending on how the LCSD responds. He also said that he would submit documents in the district council and ask LCSD representatives to explain the incident at the meeting.
Tsuen Wan District Councillor Pan Langcong criticized the authorities for suppressing freedom of expression this time, and described Hong Kong as entering the "Era of Qin Shihuang" with the entry into force of the National Security Act of the Minato City. He bluntly said, "I don’t think I’ve reviewed a few books for trivial matters, so I must seriously raise the issue is very serious. "Forbidden books" will only grow more and more."
District Council Public Library Recreation and Cultural Services Department
