Thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on
Sunday in a reprise of anti-China protests of over a year ago, demanding to
know the whereabouts of five missing people linked to a local publisher of
books critical of Beijing's leadership.
Other publishers and book vendors are unnerved by the
mysterious disappearances, and in some cases they have pulled books critical of
Beijing's leaders from their shelves.
In three bookstores selling political books visited by
Reuters, owners declined to be interviewed, citing the fear of mainland anger.
Hong Kong, a former British colony handed back to China in 1997, is
constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and autonomy from Beijing for 50 years but
the series of disappearances has led to suspicions that mainland law
enforcement officers were ignoring the law.
Lee Bo, 65, a shareholder of Causeway Bay Books and a
British passport holder, went missing from Hong Kong in late December, although
his wife has withdrawn a missing persons report saying he traveled to China
voluntarily to assist in an unspecified investigation.
Four other associates of the publisher have previously
been unaccounted for, since late last year.
Dressed in yellow and holding up yellow umbrellas, the
hallmark of anti-China protests that crippled parts of the city in late 2014,
the protesters demanded to know the whereabouts of the missing booksellers.
"Today's Lee Bo is you and me tomorrow," the
protesters shouted.
The demonstrators gathered outside government
headquarters – the scene of pro-democracy protests in late 2014 – carrying
banners that read: "Release Hong Kong Booksellers Now!"
The Hong Kong government said in a statement it was
"firmly committed to protecting the freedom of expression and freedom of
publication".
"The rule of law is the cornerstone of our
society," it said, adding that police are investigating the cases and have
sought assistance from mainland authorities.
Protest organizers said about 6,000 people took part.
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