bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Owen Fung

The bookseller who made explosive revelations that he was kidnapped by mainland law enforcement agents has said his police protection may end soon as he wishes to return to a normal life.
Speaking on an online radio programme, Lam Wing-kee also said he supports the campaign for Hong Kong’s independence, as long as it’s done in a peaceful and non-violent manner.
Lam was one of the five associates of the Mighty Current publishing house and Causeway Bay Books who went missing one after another last year and later resurfaced under mainland custody.
‘I was to be their eyes and ears’: Hong Kong bookseller claims mainland agent told him to report on customers
The bookseller was offered around-the-clock police protection in early July after he felt threatened by strangers following him.
Lam, who’s been staying at a safe house, said he wishes to return home despite the fact that he still did not feel entirely safe.
As long as it’s peaceful and non-violent, I support independence
Lam Wing-kee
“Even after I go home, I will still have to be careful. I will have less freedom than before,” he said.
“This is the price I have to pay after I spoke to the media [about the kidnapping].”
Lam added that he may return to work after the police protection ends.
The bookseller was scheduled to attend the July 1 march this year but pulled out at the last minute fearing his personal safety.
When asked whether he was disappointed with the low turnout at the march, Lam said the number of people who showed up was not significant.
In echo of missing booksellers case, Shenzhen court jails two Hong Kong journalists for running illegal business
“I think more people will come out [to protest] in the future as things will worsen,” he said.
During the show, the bookseller said he sees the only way for the city to protect its freedoms is by splitting from China.
“As long as it’s peaceful and non-violent, I support [independence],” he said.
The bookseller added that he expects Beijing to be even more heavy handed in the way they govern Hong Kong in light of calls for independence.
“Hongkongers are only calling for independence [to protect] their freedom. They are not demanding it for its own sake,” he said.


To lead, China must learn how to win friends and stop coming across as a bully

National security law: Hong Kong’s librarians must stand firm to protect intellectual freedom

Ex-Swedish China envoy acquitted over talks to free jailed bookseller Gui Minhai

National security law: Hong Kong literary scene fears curbs on what can be written, published and sold in the city after legislation takes effect

Hong Kong bookseller disappearances

Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee says he wants to return to a ‘normal’ life, as police protection set to end

Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee spoke on a radio programme at D100 in Cyberport. Photo: Sam Tsang

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Speaking on a local online radio programme, the bookseller said that he believes independence for Hong Kong is the way forward, as long as it is achieved through peaceful means
