Hong Kong Police Arrested Two People in Possession of Banned Children’s Picture Books

On July 22, 2021, the current Senior Superintendent, Steve Li Kwai-wah of the National Security Department, held a press conference and arrested the chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and treasurer, and others of the General Union of Speech Therapists for allegedly conspiring to publish seditious publications, including three children's picture books, "The Guardians of Sheep Village, The 12 Heroes of Sheep Village, and The Garbage Collectors of Sheep Village," in violation of Section 10 of the Crimes Ordinance. Lee said in July 2021 that possessing a single publication would not result in criminal liability. Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times

On March 13, the officers of the National Security Department arrested two men for allegedly possessing the “Sheep Village” picture book, which was described as an “incitement publication.” The current Senior Superintendent, Steve Li Kwai-wah of the National Security Department, said in July 2021 that possessing a single publication would not lead to criminal liability.

The police never explained clearly how the arrestees broke the law, asking the public to self-censor and questioning whether possession of books such as “Apple Daily,” “1984,” and “Animal Farm” would also break the law.