銅鑼灣書店店長林榮基於7月2日在台北馬偕醫院病逝，享壽70歲[1][2]。其告別禮拜於7月31日在台北濟南教會舉行[1][2]，行政院長卓榮泰代表總統賴清德致贈褒揚令[1][2]。總統在褒揚令中表彰林榮基「深根在地公民實踐，串連台港文化脈絡；固守言論自由信念，捍衛民主法治價值」[2]。林榮基的遺骨安眠於北海岸[1]。
林榮基以拒絕向中共交出銅鑼灣書店讀者名單與寄書紀錄而聞名，被尊為捍衛出版自由與思想自由的象徵[1]。他曾表示「我不恐懼死亡；我恐懼失去自由的恐懼」[1]，並以「書枱不屈膝，我盡我本分」[1]作為人生信念。陸委會主委邱垂正指出，林榮基於2019年移居台灣，在台灣重啟銅鑼灣書店[2]。文化部長李遠表示將不讓銅鑼灣書店消失，並推動「金同廈文學森林計畫」延續林榮基的精神[2]。
Lam Wing-kee, the renowned operator of the Causeway Bay Bookstore, passed away on July 2 at Taipei MacKay Memorial Hospital at the age of 70.[1][2] A memorial service was held on July 31 at Jinan Church in Taipei, where Premier Cho Jung-tai presented a presidential commendation on behalf of President Lai Ching-te.[1][2] The presidential citation honored Lam for his commitment to civil engagement rooted in local communities, bridging Taiwan-Hong Kong cultural ties, and steadfastly defending press freedom and democratic values.[2] His remains were laid to rest at a cemetery on Taiwan's northern coast.[1]
Lam gained international recognition for his refusal to surrender the Causeway Bay Bookstore's reader lists and shipping records to Chinese authorities.[1] He became emblematic of resistance to censorship and a champion of intellectual liberty. Among his most cherished expressions was the phrase, "The bookshelf does not bow; I fulfill my duty."[1] In reflecting on his principles, Lam once stated, "I do not fear death; I fear the fear of losing freedom."[1]
Cultural Minister Lee Yuan emphasized the government's commitment to perpetuating Lam's legacy through the "Golden Xiamen Literary Forest Initiative," vowing that the Causeway Bay Bookstore would not disappear.[2] According to the Mainland Affairs Council, Lam relocated to Taiwan in 2019 and subsequently reopened the Causeway Bay Bookstore on the island.[2]