Kan Kai-yan Defends Bookstore Arrests Before Retirement
HK01 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
Retiring Deputy Commissioner of Police for National Security Kan Kai-yan (簡啟恩) said enforcement against independent bookstores was not arbitrary, insisting officers had actually reviewed the books involved before taking action. He said publishing a banned-books list would not solve the issue because new titles could appear immediately and also breach the law. Kan added that police consult the Department of Justice before deciding whether to act on suspected national security offences linked to publications. On public assemblies, he said police assess applications under existing laws and would issue a letter of no objection if conditions are met.
Key Points
- Kan said a banned-books list would be futile because one unlawful title could be replaced by another the next day.
- Referring to July operations in Mong Kok, he noted national security police arrested five people at Mount Zero Bookstore and Grassroots Bookroom.
- He said bookstore managers and staff should read questionable titles, seek professional legal advice, or simply choose not to sell them.
- Kan said police do more than booksellers by reviewing the books themselves and then consulting the Department of Justice before enforcement.
- Looking back on 35 years in the force, Kan called his national security work an honour and said he plans to rest and spend time with family after retirement.
Why It Matters
Kan's remarks set out how the police leadership wants booksellers, event organisers and the wider public to understand the enforcement threshold under Hong Kong's national security framework. They also indicate that, in the absence of any official banned-books list, businesses and organisers are expected to make their own legal risk assessments before acting.