Hong Kong book fair reignites fears over squeeze on freedoms

Publishers blocked from annual event tried in vain to host rival show

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Publishers prevented from taking part in the Hong Kong book fair had tried to organize a rival event at this temporary site. © Reuters

PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writer, and PEGGY YE, Contributing writer

HONG KONG -- Crowds are flocking to Hong Kong's annual book fair, but for a trio of publishers blocked from the venue it stands as a grim reminder of disappearing freedoms that they once took for granted.

The weeklong event draws as many as one million visitors and was once a symbol of publishing freedom, with politically sensitive titles openly displayed including some banned in communist mainland China.

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