In Hong Kong, Leticia Wong, owner of Hunter bookstore, illustrates the pressures faced by independent booksellers in a rapidly changing political landscape. One of the store's best-selling books is titled "The Troublemaker," which centers around Jimmy Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy Apple Daily who was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison under China's national security laws. Wong admits to never having read the book, humorously stating that if questioned by authorities about selling it, she could claim ignorance regarding its content.

The backdrop of Wong’s statement reflects the chilling atmosphere for independent and dissenting voices in Hong Kong, especially following the enactment of national security legislation by the Chinese government. Despite her business's proximity to surveillance and potential repercussions, Wong's bookstore remains a symbol of resistance and a point of alternative discourse in the city. The durability of Hong Kong's independent cultural spaces like Wong's bookstore, as they navigate the complexities of state scrutiny, serves as a microcosm of the larger struggle faced by many city residents.

In the context of ongoing tensions and fears surrounding censorship and repression, the independent bookstore serves not only as a commercial entity but also as a bastion for the preservation of free expression. Wong's situation underscores a broader struggle as Hongkongers find various means to assert their autonomy and continue promoting ideas contrary to the official narrative, even under the shadow of potential legal consequences.