Hong Kong dissident Lam Wing-kee dies at 70 in Taipei

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) Lam Wing-kee (林榮基), a Hong Kong dissident known for his support for democracy who re-established his well-known bookstore, Causeway Bay Books, in Taipei after leaving Hong Kong, died Thursday night at the age of 70.

A source familiar with the matter told CNA that Lam died at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei. Based on publicly available information, he was born in December 1955.

Lam had been in poor health after his cancer recurred last year and had been recuperating, according to the source. He was admitted to Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei on June 30 while still conscious, but fell into a coma on Wednesday as his condition deteriorated.

He was pronounced dead at 7:01 p.m., the source said, noting that although Lam had no family in Taiwan, friends from Hong Kong living in the country visited him in the hospital over the past few days and were by his side in his final moments.

In an interview with CNA in June, Lam said he temporarily closed the bookstore due to health concerns but gave no clear timeline for its reopening. "If my health improves, I'll reopen it. If not, I won't," he said at the time.

Lam also thanked the hospital for its treatment and care, as well as the public for its concern.

During his time in Taiwan, Lam frequently took part in events organized by Hong Kongers and remained an outspoken supporter of democracy and freedom.

Causeway Bay Books originated in Hong Kong. In 2015, several of its staff members, including Lam, were taken into custody in mainland China over allegations that his bookstore sold books critical of the Chinese Communist Party. The bookstore was closed in 2016.

The detention of the booksellers fueled fears that Beijing was encroaching on the freedoms Hong Kongers were promised under the "One Country Two Systems" policy with which the former British colony was supposed to be governed after its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

After relocating to Taiwan in 2019, Lam reopened Causeway Bay Books in Taipei's Zhongshan District before relocating to Zhongzheng District in 2024.

In a Facebook post Thursday evening, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said he was deeply saddened by the news of Lam's death and extended his deepest condolences to Lam's family and friends.

"Lam's passing is a source of great sadness, but the courage he left behind will not disappear," Lai wrote, adding that Taiwanese people will always remember him for his steadfast commitment to defending democracy and freedom.

Meanwhile, the Mainland Affairs Council also extended its condolences, adding that it would assist Lam's family with funeral arrangements.