The 34th edition of the Hong Kong Book Fair, which took place from July 17 to July 23 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, has concluded with a total of 990,000 attendees, the same as last year [de7ac74e]. Despite the controversy surrounding the censorship of 'sensitive' titles, the fair played a key role in furthering Hong Kong's ambitions to be a cultural hub [de7ac74e].
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the organizer of the fair, required two exhibitors, Leslie Ng Chi-ching of Bbluesky Publishing and Boundary Bookstore, to remove eight books that were deemed sensitive. The HKTDC did not provide clear answers on whether the books breached national security laws, but stated that all participants had to comply with the exhibitor's manual as well as the city's national security laws [0344be97] [de7ac74e]. The censorship has raised concerns about freedom of expression and the availability of diverse literary works at the fair. Critics argue that the censorship is a result of the national security laws imposed by the Chinese government, which have been criticized for stifling dissent and limiting freedom of speech in Hong Kong [c0d8eb77]. However, the HKTDC remains optimistic about the success of the fair and its role in promoting cultural exchange and cooperation in the literary world [c0d8eb77] [0344be97] [de7ac74e].
Despite the controversy, the fair attracted a strong turnout this year, with mainland Chinese visitors playing a significant role in boosting attendance numbers. Efforts to publicize the event on the mainland, including roadshows in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, received positive feedback on the social media platform Xiaohongshu. Vendors were hopeful for improved sales this year, with some expecting a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Recent events like the Doraemon exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui have also generated buzz for Hong Kong and contributed to the fair's success [e65686f5] [de7ac74e].
The Hong Kong Book Fair not only provides a platform for publishers, authors, and book lovers to connect and explore industry trends, but it also promotes a love of reading, especially important in an age of social media consumption. Seminars and events at the fair provided opportunities for the public to engage with famous authors, celebrities, and scholars. A survey of more than 800 visitors showed that they spent an average of HK$912, up 4.6% from last year. The fair's success in attracting visitors from the mainland indicates the continued interest in Hong Kong's literary scene, and the exhibition business in Hong Kong is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels this year [de7ac74e].