Books removed from public libraries found in fair

Books that have been removed from public libraries are being sold in the Hong Kong Book Fair that drew over some 500 people to wait in line before the annual event opened at 10am yesterday at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

The first man in the queue, surnamed To, had waited for 10 hours to get a signed book from his favorite author, Lam Wing-sum.

"I started to visit the book fair in 2011 and have been one of the earliest ones to arrive in past years," To said.

"I am here to buy Lam's signed fiction. As there is only a limited supply of the book, I had to rush after the doors opened."

He said the number of visitors waiting has increased compared to last year during the pandemic.

A bookstore owner expected more people to visit this year after pandemic curbs were lifted.

Another visitor, surnamed Lee, said she would use the HK$2,000 consumption voucher distributed on Sunday if possible.

"Usually we have to pay cash at the book stalls. If we can pay by the consumer voucher, of course I would use it."

Sing Tao News Corp set up a booth at the fair, selling 1,000 types of books.

Mr Leung, the person in charge of the stall, believed there would be more visitors this year.

Promotions have been provided for new books with 20 percent discount for visitors buying one to two books and 30 percent off if they buy three books or more, Leung said.

Books related to President Xi Jinping and national security law were displayed in prominent places.

But there also a few small publishers selling "politically sensitive" books that can no longer be found in public libraries, including books written by Au Ka-lun, a former columnist for the shuttered Stand News.

Leslie Ng Chi-ching, director of Bbluesky PR firm, said he is not worried about selling political books.

"Selling political books at the book fair is not problematic, as the government said selling these books in the bookstores is not problematic," Ng said.

The HK Smart eBook-Hub Promotion Scheme and its future development were introduced in the book fair.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said he hoped publishing the latest version of the scheme could attract authors from overseas and the mainland to collaborate with local publishers in producing e-books in Chinese and English.

Talks and cultural performances related to the theme "Children and Teenage Fiction" would be held throughout the book fair that ends on Tuesday.

There's also an exhibition of nine children's and teenage fiction authors, showcasing their books and collections, with authors Pearl Poon Ming-chu and Janny Poon Kam-ying sharing their views on the history and development of children's fiction.

The public can also visit the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, as well as the World of Snacks with the book fair ticket - HK$30 for adults and HK$15 for children.

Entrance for children under three and seniors above 65 is free.

At the Sports and Leisure Expo, visitors may buy different sports and leisure products and enjoy various sporting experiences.

At the Japan Pavilion, the country's tourism organization set up booths with 14 prefectures.

Over 1,200 types of snacks are offered at the World of Snacks.