Update | Q&A: Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee speaks out
Tired but defiant, the Causeway Bay Books associate faced a barrage of questions from journalists at the Legislative Council on Thursday
Highlights from Lam Wing-kee’s press briefing on Thursday regarding his abduction and detention on the mainland.
Q: Mr Lam, you said you had to give [the authorities] a list of readers [who bought books] for them to let you come back to Hong Kong. Did you promise them? How were you going to do that and was there a deadline of when?
A: [The Chinese officials] originally were to come down [to Hong Kong] yesterday (June 15) because they had to pick up the computer. I heard that there was a Mr Chan helping them in Hong Kong. Who this Mr Chan is, I don’t know. [Chan] was to pick it up, give it to Lee Po … So I picked up the computer from Lee yesterday at the hotel. But I think they got the wrong one. In the evening I had a look at it and found that they really picked up the wrong [computer]. So I told the two people taking care of me, that they needed to go pick up the computer I had used from Causeway Bay Books. This morning, I went up to grab the computer I had used, where there were records of the people who ordered books, from the mainland and elsewhere too.
Q: There were reports that you acquired sexual services [while in the mainland] (referring to a media report by Hong Kong media outlet HK01).
A: I’ll see what kind of evidence they bring out. I myself did not do so. But when I was in Shaoguan, late at night, 1am, two ‘ladies’ visited me. I have no people, no friends in Shaoguan. So at 1am when they knocked on my door, I opened out of curiosity. One was tall, one was short…I understand that for them, they were just trying to making a living. So I immediately told them: “You guys must’ve made a mistake. Maybe it’s someone next door?” But apparently neither of them could speak Cantonese. One of them said they didn’t understand what I was saying, and slid her foot between the door to prevent me from closing it. I was very surprised as well – these girls were so bold. So I told them again that they’d made a mistake, and then I closed the door. This whole episode was very strange … I suddenly remember this remarkable event. Whether it’s related, I can’t be sure.
Q: Did the Hong Kong government give you any protection at all?
A: No
Q: Is there anything you want to say to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying? He kept saying that he has been following up on the cases of you and the others.
A: I have nothing to say to him. He can’t do anything, so what is there to say?
Q: How did you feel while you were locked up?
A: I was very afraid. I was alone. I didn’t know how they would deal with me. I didn’t know whether there would be a trial. At the time, I couldn’t believe this could happen to me. It was very surreal. I thought I was in another world and even hoped my situation was a dream and not reality. As a Hongkonger, I am a free man. I did not commit any crimes but I was locked up for no reason for five months.
Q: How many times were you interrogated?
A: 20 to 30 times.
Q: It was done every week?
A: Some times it was less frequent. Sometimes it was done 3 to 4 times a week. Sometimes there would be nothing for two weeks. He would ask me questions. Each time was around 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Sometimes it would go over an hour.
Q: If you refused to answer him…
A: I had to cooperate. I don’t know what would’ve happened if I didn’t answer him. I was very afraid. There was no way you wouldn’t obey him.
Q: After this incident, is there anything you would like to say to Hongkongers?
A: I hope Hongkongers will say no to an authoritarian regime.
Q: Do you think that in the circumstances Hong Kong finds itself, we can really say no to an authoritarian regime?
A: I can do it, so why can’t you?
Q: Have you thought what might happen to Hong Kong’s freedom if you didn’t come and speak out today?
A: If I didn’t come out to say anything, freedom of speech and publication in Hong Kong would continue to be attacked. I don’t want to see this happen.
Q: How was the interview on Phoenix TV conducted?
A: I don’t know about the others. But for me there was a director, a script.
Q: Which parts (of the script) were contrary to your true beliefs ?
A: They said I had committed crimes, that’s already against what I thought. I don’t think I committed any crimes.
Q: During the interview, you admitted the books were all made up and expressed regret, are these not your words?
A: These are the things they made me say. They wanted me to admit them. I couldn’t not admit them.
