Security arrangements to be enhanced at Hong Kong’s book fair as extradition bill protesters vow to target booths of state-owned publisher
- Anti-extradition bill protesters plan to stage demonstrations at booths run by outlets under Sino United Publishing
- Book fair organising committee member says they will tolerate expression of political views as long as visitors do not face inconvenience
Hong Kong’s annual book fair has strengthened security measures after extradition bill protesters vowed to target booths of a state-owned publishing group when the week-long event opens on Wednesday.
“We have enhanced our security, but I cannot disclose the details,” said Benjamin Chau, deputy executive director of the fair’s organiser, the Trade Development Council, on Tuesday.
“I do not know exactly what the protesters are going to do, but I hope they will not disturb other people enjoying the fair.”
The idea of protesting at booths run by outlets under Sino United Publishing (SUP) was floated on Monday on LIHKG – an online forum that has effectively been a virtual command centre of the anti-bill movement. The proposal secured more than 2,200 endorsement from users in a day.
Controlled by Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, SUP is the largest publishing group in the city, dominating as much as 90 per cent of the book retail business through its units Joint Publishing, Chung Hwa Book and Commercial Press.