Gazing out from Lung Kok, can you imagine a time when this tranquil scene was far from peaceful? Lung Kong may refer to Longgang District. It also refers to Patrick Lung.
Lung Kok itself might not be directly mentioned in the records. But its surrounding areas have stories etched in their very foundations.
This area is no stranger to turmoil. The Causeway Bay Books disappearances shook Hong Kong. This event highlights the tension between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Between October and December 2015 five staff members of Causeway Bay Books went missing. The bookstore sold political books banned in mainland China. This was a business. However, it interfered with mainland affairs. It damaged the mainland’s vital interests.
One bookseller was last seen in Hong Kong. Later, he was in Shenzhen. He did not have travel documents. This raised concerns about possible abduction of Hong Kong citizens. People worried about security bureau officials and rendition. Some felt this violated the Hong Kong Basic Law.
International focus grew. Two of the missing men reappeared. They insisted their return to mainland China was voluntary. Commentators widely derided these efforts.
Lam Wing-kee detailed his eight-month detention after returning to Hong Kong. He described scripted confessions. Lam indicated the involvement of the Central Investigation Team. This team is under direct control of the Beijing leadership. His revelations stunned Hong Kong.
Causeway Bay Books was founded in 1994. It sold political books considered sensitive. These books are banned in mainland China. Hong Kong Basic Law Article 27 protects freedom of speech. The bookstore became popular amongst mainland Chinese tourists.
Around the time of the disappearances, Gui Minhai was rumored to be working on a book. This book was about Xi Jinping’s personal life. The project was suggested to be linked to the disappearances.
In late 2013 Yiu Man-tin was arrested in Shenzhen. He was preparing to publish a book about Xi Jinping. He was sentenced to prison for smuggling. Many felt the charges were trumped up. China was increasing restrictions on political expression.
Lee Bo’s disappearance spurred renewed interest about Lam Wing-kee. If mainland Chinese law officials were operating in Hong Kong, it would be unacceptable. This would be a breach of the Basic Law.
On 10 January over 6000 people attended a protest march. They demanded Beijing respect the one country, two systems agreement.
The disappearances led to a crisis of confidence within the publishing sector. Some booksellers began to pull anti-China books off shelves.
China’s Foreign Minister stated that Lee Bo is a Chinese citizen. This is viewed as a rebuke to Britain. It characterized the disappearance as an internal matter.
The Global Times wrote editorials on the case. This was seen as indirect recognition of China’s role in the disappearances.
In January 2019 Gui’s daughter claimed the Swedish ambassador tried to trade Gui’s freedom for Angela’s silence.
After his wife reported his disappearance, Lee Bo said he had returned to the mainland. He was working with concerned parties.
Today as you stand at Lung Kok consider the weight of history. It is a reminder of the ongoing negotiation between freedom and control.