On Sunday, long lines formed in Hong Kong outside the independent bookstore Have a Nice Stay, which is closing its doors for good. The store was founded in 2022 by former journalists in response to government crackdowns on independent media.

The owners cited poor financial performance, the overall decline of Hong Kong's economy, and unclear "red lines" set by law enforcement as the main reasons for the closure.

Independent bookstores in Hong Kong have faced a massive decline since 2020, when Beijing imposed a strict national security law. In the past, these stores served as important hubs of civil society, offering titles from across the political spectrum.

Throughout the year, police units focused on national security have conducted raids on several bookstores and arrested people for selling allegedly subversive publications. The owners of Have a Nice Stay emphasized that, under the current conditions and unclear rules, they no longer have the courage or the means to continue disseminating independent news.

(Reuters, max)