Hong Kong Police Arrest Bookstore Owner and Staff Over Jimmy Lai Biography

On March 24, 2026, Hong Kong police arrested Pong Yat-ming, the owner of Book Punch bookstore, along with three female employees for allegedly selling "seditious" publications, including a biography of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai. The biography, titled "The Troublemaker," was authored by Mark Clifford, a former director of Lai's media group, Next Digital. The arrests occurred amidst heightened scrutiny under the national security law imposed by Beijing, which has led to increased crackdowns on dissent in Hong Kong.

UsNews and World ReportSouth China Morning Post

Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced to a 20-year prison term in February 2026 for collusion with foreign forces and sedition. His case is considered one of the most significant under Hong Kong's national security law, which was enacted in 2020 following extensive pro-democracy protests. The law has been criticized for its broad definitions of offenses and has led to numerous arrests of activists, journalists, and media organizations.

UsNews and World Report

The arrests of Pong and her staff were part of a police operation that involved searching the Book Punch store in Sham Shui Po. Authorities seized several publications deemed seditious, including the biography of Lai. A police spokesperson indicated that actions would be taken according to the law, but did not provide specific details regarding the charges against the bookstore owner and staff. Following the arrests, Book Punch displayed a notice stating it was closed for the day due to an emergency.

South China Morning Post

Mark Clifford, the author of the biography, expressed concern over the implications of the arrests, stating, "If true, it's a sad and ironic commentary that selling a book on a man who is in jail for his activities as a journalist, for promoting free expression, would be subject to sedition." The Hong Kong government has recently amended the implementation rules of the national security law, allowing customs officers to seize items with "seditious intention" and enabling police to demand passwords from individuals suspected of breaching the law.

UsNews and World Report

Critics of the national security law argue that it stifles free expression and undermines the autonomy of Hong Kong. The arrests of bookstore owners and the targeting of publications related to pro-democracy figures like Jimmy Lai have raised alarms among human rights advocates and free speech organizations. The ongoing enforcement of the law has led to fears of a chilling effect on journalism and literature in the region.

UsNews and World Report

While multiple sources confirm the arrests and the nature of the charges, there is a lack of clarity regarding the specific legal charges filed against Pong Yat-ming and her staff. Additionally, the extent of the police operation and the total number of seized items remain unspecified.

UsNews and World Report

• “if true, it's a sad and ironic commentary that selling a book on a man who is in jail for his activities as a journalist, for promoting free expression, would be subject to sedition” — Mark Clifford, Author of "The Troublemaker."

UsNews and World Report