The controversial measure allows for life imprisonment for actions deemed as sedition, subversion, terrorism or foreign collusion, and threatens even foreigners with punishment if they criticise Beijing’s actions in the city. Authorities in Hong Kong announced that nine books, including two by Joshua Wong, one of the leaders of the pro-democracy protests were under review for “compliance” with the new law. The priority for Beijing is to make sure these books are no longer available to the public.
Otherwise, it would be seen as disrespectful to China’s authoritarian leadership.
Six books by Horace Chin, dubbed the “godfather” of Hong Kong’s autonomy movement, were also removed.
As well as one by the pro-democracy legislative councillor Tanya Chan.
Mr Wong, whose two titles detail his activism during his teenage years, has talked about how this new shift is slowly turning his city into an Orwellian society.
He compared it to the White Terror, a reference to the suppression of political dissidents in 1920s mainland China during the rise of the Communist Party.
“More than just punitive measures, the national security law also imposes a mainland-style censorship regime upon this international financial city,” Mr Wong tweeted.
“It is one step away from the actual book banning.”
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Beijing has made clear that it wants education in the city to become more “patriotic”.
It has identified schools as a breeding ground for young activists.
This was evident last year in what has been a succession of mass protests that brought the territory to a standstill.
Ms Chan told Stand News, a local website, that she was puzzled by the decision to remove her book, My Journeys for Food and Justice.
The Chinese version is titled Walking, Eating and Resisting.
She said: “Is the word ‘resisting’ problematic, or is it the name Tanya Chan, or that I as a person have become a problem after the national security law? I do not have an answer.”
Mr Chin joked that he was disappointed that his pariah status was shared with two other authors. “I have less of an opportunity to become famous and then win the Nobel literature or peace prize,” he said.
“Now I need to share.”
This has been a strong effort from the CCP to remove books in an attempt to censor dissenting voices.