[People News] The recent “close then reopen” storm surrounding a popular independent bookstore in Sichuan highlights the mounting pressure on hosting public events in China, as well as growing concerns over the shrinking space for open debate and cultural activities.  

According to Liberty Times, Chengdu’s independent bookstore “Youxing Bookstore,” which has hosted numerous lectures by Chinese and foreign celebrities, announced at the end of October that it would cease operations on November 28 due to “force majeure” factors. With multiple bookstores across China having closed earlier and cultural events and film screenings canceled, the shutdown of “Youxing” is seen as a sign of further contraction in urban public life spaces. One netizen asked under the closure announcement, “Why? The events have always been great,” to which owner Zhang Feng replied, “That’s exactly the reason,” implying the closure was linked to hosting public-issue lectures. Another netizen bluntly stated that the incident shows Chengdu cannot tolerate “the spirit of independent thinking.”  

As news of “Youxing’s” closure drew attention both domestically and abroad, Zhang Feng posted again on the evening of November 4—less than a week later—announcing that “Youxing” could continue operating. According to Zhang, the bookstore’s revival was thanks to “so many people paying attention and caring about the bookstore; everyone’s love ultimately produced some kind of miraculous effect.” The South China Morning Post, however, noted that the entire decision-making process behind “Youxing’s” death and resurrection remains unclear.  

The incident highlights a common pattern in China’s cultural sector: as authorities continue suppressing civil society, independent venues must tread carefully to balance public engagement with official pressure. The targets of official crackdowns extend beyond bookstores to independent film events—whose organizers often don’t know what will be deemed acceptable by authorities—as well as LGBTQ or women-friendly spaces. Before rumors of forced closure surfaced, “Youxing” had been forced to cancel lectures multiple times, and Zhang Feng revealed he was told the bookstore’s mistake was “gradually becoming a gathering place.”  

New York Chinese Independent Film Festival Also Harassed and Canceled  
Some Chinese cultural figures have been forced to relocate overseas. For example, Shanghai’s independent bookstore “Jifeng Book Garden,” shuttered before the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened last September in Washington, D.C. However, even events held abroad cannot escape pressure from the Chinese government. The inaugural IndieChina Chinese Independent Film Festival, originally scheduled for November 8–15 in New York, was canceled on the 6th by its organizer, who cited ongoing harassment of participants by unidentified forces. △