There are many publications in Lam Wing-Taipei kee’s bookstore that are prohibited in mainland China, including books on taboo subjects like the Tiananmen Square massacre.
The Chinese government has a firm grip on censorship, outlawing any literature it believes would undermine unity within the country or reflect negatively on the communist party and its leaders.
For years, Lam smuggled books from his native Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland that were critical of the country’s authorities.
He claimed that at his busiest, he would ship five kilogrammes of books to the mainland every day, five times a week. He was motivated by a desire to bring about democratic reform.
Lam responded, “Because I wanted to change China.”
Lam and four other booksellers vanished in 2015, nevertheless, as China’s officials began restricting Hong Kong’s freedoms. Lam was detained and jailed for eight months while visiting the mainland.
He acknowledged having suicidal thoughts.
It’s very frightening. I was really, really fearful.
He escaped to Taiwan three years ago because China views it as its own territory and intends to “reunify” it despite the Communist Party of China never having held power there.
China’s Xi Jinping, who is about to begin an unprecedented third term as president, has adopted a more critical stance toward Taiwan. The constitution was altered at the conclusion of the party convention last month to support the “one nation, two systems” concept on the democratically-ruled island and to oppose Taiwan independence.
Lam gives the following advice for his new house: “One nation, two systems is unquestionably a fraud. If you look at Hong Kong, Taiwan shouldn’t follow that path because it didn’t happen.”
The plan was consistently rejected by the government of Taiwan.
Causeway Bay Books, a replica of Lam’s former bookshop in Hong Kong, has developed into a meeting place for proponents of democracy.
One mainland visitor claimed, “This bookshop is a nexus for freedom, democracy, and human rights.”
He claimed that it gives him the opportunity to publicly support Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Uyghur Muslims, something he would not be able to do in China.
You will vanish for no apparent reason if you express other viewpoints or beliefs, he warned.
The man claimed Xi’s hold on power prevents him from moving to Taiwan, despite his desire to do so.
“I’m terrified that there will be a third world war.”
However, there are challenges for anyone looking for protection in Taiwan because of its severe asylum policies.
Even asylum applicants from Hong Kong are not permitted, according to activist and journalist Brian Hioe.
There is a growing belief in Taiwan that residents of Hong Kong could be Chinese spies.
Due to concerns for his safety, Lam won’t be going back to Hong Kong. His bunkbed-equipped bookstore serves as both his home and a centre of liberation for others.
Cushla The Asia New Zealand Foundation has provided financial support for Norman’s travel to Taiwan.
Taiwan-based Hong Kong bookseller issues a warning about the threat to his new home.
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