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Written by: Ouyang Dehao
2021-06-13 09:00
Last update date: 2021-06-13 09:00
The book fair, which was postponed by the epidemic last year, will reopen on July 17. It is also the first large-scale cultural exhibition in Hong Kong after the implementation of the "Minato National Security Law".
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department removed 34 books from public libraries on the grounds of the National Security Law. Therefore, whether books in this year's book fair will be censored or self-censored under the influence of the "Minato National Security Law" is the focus of attention.
Peng Zhiming, the president of the Subculture Hall, bluntly stated that the industry dare not publish and sell books on sociology that have nothing to do with politics, or involve criticism or comment on society. He bluntly said that this year will be the first time in 31 years that there are no new current political books published.
He expects that in the absence of new books, the book may use the epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic fund for the booth, and it is expected that this year's book fair will become a "large bulk market."
Peng Zhiming of the Second Culture Hall: We are making a version, not a martyr
Peng Zhiming, the president of the Second Cultural Hall, bluntly stated that since the Causeway Bay Bookstore incident, some publishing houses no longer publish books on current affairs.
He pointed out that with the anti-amendment movement after 2019 and the implementation of the "Minato National Security Law", the "white terror" has a deeper impact on the industry. Some books on sociology that have nothing to do with politics, criticism or commentary on society, etc., are not in the industry. Dare to publish and sell; and writers who write reviews and columns for newspapers are unwilling to publish articles that have been published in newspapers.
"The National Security Law has no clear provisions. Ren Qu can't refute it. We are making a version, not a martyr, and no one has any intention of overthrowing the government, but I don't know when I will step on landmines. Don't stop the book fair, it's a trip. I won't come out."
▼Number of off shelves in public libraries▼
+3
+3
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The removal of library books causes panic among publishing industry
Peng also mentioned that the government authorities alleged that some books violated the "Hong Kong National Security Law" and removed many books from public libraries.
He claimed that "Release Hong Kong" is an environmental protection book, and "Civil Disobedience" introduces historical figures such as Martin Luther King, so he questioned the authorities: "Libraries don't know how to be shocked. Is it because the content is taken off the shelves? He believes that the removal of books has also caused panic among the industry, and booksellers are afraid to buy the books.
Peng Zhiming, the president of the Subculture Hall, bluntly stated that the industry dare not publish and sell books on sociology that have nothing to do with politics, criticize or comment on society. Therefore, I believe that the book fair will not show related books.
(Photo by Lin Zhendong)
The 2021 Book Fair enters its 31st edition. Peng Zhiming pointed out that last year, an organization announced that it would patrol the books sold at the book fair, making exhibitors more cautious.
Therefore, he believes that there will be no books criticizing the government this year:
This year is the 31st year with the most current political literature!
Industry will use funding for book fair booths
Earlier, the government set aside 40 million yuan in the second round of the "Epidemic Prevention and Anti-epidemic Fund" to launch a printing and publishing industry subsidy program to subsidize local exhibitors up to a maximum of 100,000 yuan, that is, a total of four booths.
Peng Zhiming pointed out that subsidizing the provision of free booths in disguise, so that more booksellers are willing to participate in the exhibition.
The industry relies on book fairs to earn income every year. When the book fair could not be held last year, and no new books "run out" this year, it described this book fair as a "large bulk market."
In the 2019 Book Fair, booksellers set up a Lennon Wall.
(Information Picture / Photo by Luo Junhao)
Business is expected to fall by 30% due to the epidemic
However, Peng holds a pessimistic attitude towards this year's book fair, saying that customs closures under the epidemic and crowd control measures at the book fair will reduce the number of visitors.
The conference revealed earlier that it plans to replace physical tickets with Octopus. He believes that some Hong Kong people attach importance to privacy issues or refuse to enter the venue. Therefore, it is estimated that this year's business volume will drop by 30%.
"Actually, the business is dead, but the book is better than the book, but I don't know how to save it."
At the 2019 Book Fair, someone specifically pointed out the "Three China Business" (Sanlian, Zhonghua, Commerce) booths indirectly wholly-owned by the Liaison Office.
(Information Picture / Photo by Luo Junhao)
The Hong Kong Book Fair is scheduled to be held in mid-July, and booksellers will announce discounts more than half of the previous
The Book Fair was postponed twice last year, and the Bureau of Commerce and Economic Cooperation distributed 15,000 yuan to each of 610 exhibitors.
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