In his bookshop in Hong Kong, Lam Wing-kee sold controversial and political books to Chinese Communist party officials. However, recent corruption cases against these officials reveal accusations of procuring or reading banned materials. These cases result in internal disciplinary actions and expulsions from the party, with criminal charges possibly looming. Some officials were found reading illegal publications undermining party unity and seriousness.
The cases highlight the emphasis on illicit reading as a major offense, potentially surpassing crimes like bribery. The rush of punishments is attributed to new performance targets for party discipline bureaucrats. The Chinese Communist party aims to maintain an image of infallibility, punishing those who challenge its principles or possess material that could do so.
Many banned books are now sold in Lam’s Taipei shop, where he fled into exile. Xi Jinping’s leadership is marked by purges of rivals and the suppression of dissent. As discussions become riskier, it remains to be seen if illicit reading cases will escalate to criminal charges. The power of information and books is evident in these cases, showcasing the consequences of challenging party ideologies.
Source link