Full Breakdown
Hong Kong Bookstore “Have a Nice Stay” Closes After National Security Raid
8/31/2026, 8:29:08 AM
Event Summary
An independent bookstore in Hong Kong, Have a Nice Stay, ended operations six weeks after a national-security police raid. On its final day, customers formed long queues—some waiting up to 45 minutes—to browse the third-floor shop in a Prince Edward tenement. The shop accepted only cash and closed its doors at 9 p.m. after a brief reopening period to clear remaining inventory.
Background & Context
The raid, conducted in mid-July, targeted Have a Nice Stay and the nearby Greenfield Bookstore on accusations of “acts with seditious intent.” The police operation reflects Hong Kong’s broader national-security enforcement, which has increasingly affected venues dealing with journalism, history, and current-affairs literature. The bookstore had been in business for four years, positioning itself as a venue for uncensored local discourse.
Key Figures
- Sum Wan-wah – Co-founder of Have a Nice Stay, detained during the raid and later released on bail.
- Five individuals detained – three women (aged 30-59) and two men (aged 37 and 57), including staff members.
Timeline
- Mid-July: National-security police raid -> five detentions.
- Following six weeks: Store remains closed while legal matters proceed.
- Final week: Bookstore reopens briefly (Wednesday-Sunday) to sell remaining stock and bid farewell to patrons.
- Last day: Long queues form; shop closes permanently at 9 p.m.
Impact & Reactions
The closure underscores the chilling effect of national-security enforcement on independent cultural spaces. Patrons gathered to purchase books on journalism, Hong Kong history, and current affairs, highlighting community demand for such material. Police statements framed the raid as necessary to address alleged seditious activity, while the bookstore’s staff focused on winding down operations and returning books to readers. The incident adds to a pattern of pressure on Hong Kong’s publishing sector, raising concerns about the future availability of uncensored literature in the city.
