Hong Kong authorities launch new channels for library users to report inappropriate books or ones breaching national security law

Readers can report books by filling in form at one of city’s 71 public libraries or sending email

Democratic Party chairman concerned over lack of specific, clear instructions for staff to judge content

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Library users now have two ways to report inappropriate books. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 7:57pm, 6 Jul 2023Updated: 10:07pm, 6 Jul 2023

Hong Kong authorities have launched new ways for library users to report titles that are inappropriate or endanger national security in support of continued efforts to remove books that might breach city laws.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department on Thursday said that when readers found books that “exaggerate violence, pornography and vulgarism, violate the laws of Hong Kong or endanger national security”, they can either fill in a form available at all public libraries or send an email.

Information, including the book’s title, section, page number and paragraph should be provided, it said.

The department, which runs the city’s 71 public libraries, added that action would be taken after reports were received, including the removal of library materials from shelves for review.

Cartoonist Wong Kei-kwan, better known as Zunzi, had books that were among the first titles to be removed from library shelves. Photo: Nora Tam

Li Ka-leung, the convenor of a books quality concern group and a member of the city’s largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, supported the new reporting methods.