Lam Wing-kee, Symbol of 'Unbending Desk', Remembered by Hong Kongers in Taiwan as Freedom Continues Here

(CNA Taipei, July 8) Lam Wing-kee, owner of Hong Kong's Causeway Bay Books, passed away on July 2 at the age of 70. Lam, a reader who symbolized an "unbending desk," rebuilt Causeway Bay Books in Taiwan in the final stage of his life, continuing to uphold his belief in freedom. Hong Kongers in Taiwan recall Lam saying that Taiwan allowed him to "finally breathe freely," enabling him to achieve what was impossible in Hong Kong, and believing Taiwan to be the last bastion for Hong Kongers.

Lam founded Causeway Bay Books in 1994. In 2014, due to rental pressure and family reasons, he sold the bookstore to Giant Flow Publishing House, remaining as the store manager. In late 2015, Lam and several other individuals associated with the bookstore disappeared successively overseas and in mainland China. The incident shocked the international community and made him an important symbol of freedom of speech and publication in Hong Kong.

Lam Wing-kee greatly admired the poem "The Desk" by Hong Kong writer Shu Xiangcheng (a Hong Kong term meaning "writing desk"), particularly the line, "I have never seen a desk that bends its knees, though I have seen readers who do," which became the belief he lived by.

After arriving in Taiwan, he told the media, "Taiwan is the last bastion for Hong Kongers, giving Hong Kongers hope."

A Hong Konger in Taiwan, Ah M (pseudonym), a friend of Lam Wing-kee and a companion in his final days, told CNA that Lam Wing-kee had sacrificed too much for Hong Kong and in defiance of the CCP's oppression. "He invested an unknown amount of time and energy, and sacrificed many relationships. He always kept everything to himself, was very stubborn, and persisted until the very last moment."

Ah M recalled that Lam Wing-kee had jokingly said before his death that he wanted to use his last moments to continue confronting the CCP, and that if he were to leave, it would be at a dramatic moment. "We all advised him not to joke about his health, but in the end... he really left at 7:01 PM."

July 1st was the CCP's anniversary. "Even in his final moments, he used his life to protest the CCP regime, making a final stand... Even now, I still cannot accept his passing," Ah M said.

Ah M is a "brother/sister" (a term used by anti-extradition bill protesters in Taiwan to refer to each other) from Hong Kong. He recalled meeting Lam Wing-kee during the relocation of Causeway Bay Books in Taiwan from its Zhongshan branch to its Guting branch. Initially, he was wary of Lam Wing-kee, but after repeated quiet care from Lam, he gradually let down his guard and began to share his experiences.

Ah M said that both he and Lam Wing-kee had been persecuted by the CCP. Lam Wing-kee had encouraged him, saying, "Young man, don't be afraid. I was also forced here by the CCP. Once you're in Taiwan, you are already free. We must continue to fight for our final freedom."

In addition to encouraging him to persevere, Lam Wing-kee constantly urged Ah M to read. Ah M said that Lam Wing-kee believed the CCP feared readers the most because reading cultivates thought, and the power of thought is enough to resist oppression.

"He often gave me books, hoping I would read more, and was even willing to use the income from Causeway Bay Books to support my tuition. But I told him that tuition should be my responsibility and I couldn't accept help from the bookstore's income. But he was still insistent, and I ultimately refused," Ah M said. If Lam Wing-kee's spirit is to be continued, it is through reading.

He said Lam Wing-kee always believed that reading brings true freedom, and freedom breeds thought. Therefore, people often say, "If you miss Mr. Lam Wing-kee in the future, just keep reading. Every book you read will carry a piece of Mr. Lam Wing-kee in your heart."

Ah M stated that he, like Lam Wing-kee, chose to come to Taiwan because Taiwan remains one of the few places in Asia that preserves freedom. Lam Wing-kee also said during his life that Taiwan allowed him to "finally breathe freely," enabling him to achieve many things impossible in Hong Kong, and making him believe that freedom could continue on this land.

Fu Tang, a Hong Kong exile in Taiwan, said Lam Wing-kee was a symbol of Hong Kong's democracy and freedom. For them, Lam Wing-kee was very brave because when he was detained by the CCP in 2016 due to Causeway Bay Books, he returned to Hong Kong and publicly disclosed his experience, allowing the outside world to understand what had happened.

Fu Tang said, "Now that he is gone, it is very sad and regrettable news for us." "Therefore, his character, his actions, and the meaning he represented are all very important indicators for us."

Reverend Huang Chun-sheng, chief pastor of Jinan Church, told CNA that he has been in contact with Lam Wing-kee's family and is assisting with post-mortem arrangements. Lam Wing-kee's family is expected to arrive in Taiwan at the end of July, after which funeral arrangements will be discussed. The preliminary plan is to hold a memorial service on a weekday at the church, providing a place for the public to mourn Lam Wing-kee.

Huang Chun-sheng lamented that Lam Wing-kee's arrest by the CCP in 2015 was due to his alleged sale of so-called "banned books," similar to how many non-party magazines were confiscated during Taiwan's White Terror period. Lam Wing-kee's heart always held the values of democracy and freedom, so when the CCP demanded he hand over his reader list, he did not betray his conscience, refused to hand over the member information, and even held a press conference to disclose the entire incident.

He said Lam Wing-kee represented the pursuit of democracy and freedom and was willing to pay the price for higher universal values. (Editor: Chu Chien-ling) 1150708

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