Hong Kong official warns booksellers on security risks after raids

A senior official in Hong Kong has **issued** a strong warning to independent booksellers. He stated that they must be aware of national security risks. This warning follows a series of police actions against bookstores that are suspected of selling banned publications. The authorities are enforcing the city's National Security Law, which was imposed a few years ago.

In the last four months alone, police have conducted three rounds of **operations** targeting independent bookstores. During these raids, officers have arrested individuals and seized materials believed to **violate** the security law. The law broadly covers acts like subversion and sedition, and critics say it has greatly reduced freedoms, especially freedom of speech and publishing, in the city.

Booksellers are now facing significant pressure. Many are uncertain about what types of books are considered acceptable and what could lead to legal trouble. This uncertainty has resulted in widespread self-censorship, where bookstores voluntarily remove titles that might be seen as critical of the government or Beijing. Some independent bookstores have even decided to close their doors, citing the increasing risks and fear of prosecution under the stringent new regulations. The official emphasized that all businesses must comply with the law to maintain stability.