Speculation rife over sudden cancellation of Hong Kong souvenir book launch
Though printing issues cited as reason, commentators and publishers believe problems in content of book commemorating city’s past 20 years a likelier cause
The abrupt cancellation of a politically star-studded launch of a book commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong being under Chinese sovereignty has drawn talk that the reason goes beyond just a “printing problem”.
The large souvenir book, titled 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return, published by pro-Beijing Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, was originally scheduled for launch on Monday afternoon at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, according to a press invitation dated February 9. But a terse notice on February 11 said the event was cancelled due to a “printing problem”.
“I don’t know the details but I believe it’s just some technical problem that has caused a delay in the launch, nothing else,” Yin Shuguang, Wen Wei Po deputy chief editor, told the Post.
He said the book was a project under the group’s publishing house and not the editorial department, and that it was done on a tight schedule. Even the invitation was issued too late. Guests on the invitation list included former city leader Tung Chee-hwa and Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, as well as Hong Kong-based Chinese officials such as the Liaison Office’s deputy chief Yang Jian, China’s foreign affairs deputy commissioner Song Ru’an, and People’s Liberation Army garrison chief of staff He Qimao.
“I know [the cancellation] seems strange but I am optimistic the launch would be rescheduled very soon,” Yin said, adding that it depended on the guests’ busy schedules.