You stand in a bookstore. Can you smell that fresh, papery new-book smell? Look closely at the shelves. Many of the titles are in Chinese characters. But you’re not in China. You’re in Washington, D.C.

This is JF Books, Washington’s only Chinese bookstore. It belongs to Yu Miao. He used to sell books in Shanghai, China. But six years ago, the Chinese government forced him out. In America, he can run the shop as he pleases.

“There is no pressure from the authorities here,” says Mr. Yu. “I want to live without fear.”

In the United States, the government protects free expression. No one can be arrested for sharing ideas. (Or have his or her store shut down.)

But that’s not the case in China. The Communist Party holds control. Its leaders seek to stop the spread of ideas that might challenge the government.

China boasts many bookstores. But there’s a catch. The government itself owns many of those shops. The books they sell contain only approved ideas. 

There’s also another type of bookstore: independent bookstores. The state doesn’t run these shops. Regular people do. These are the bookstores that communist leaders want to shut down. It’s not just about the ideas in the books sold. These stores tend to become community centers. They encourage free speech and critical thinking.

In the last few months, China has closed about 12 such stores. Authorities arrested at least one bookseller. Booksellers face a maze of complicated regulations. Publishers and street vendors also feel the pressure.

Mr. Yu isn’t the only Chinese bookseller to take business elsewhere. Chinese bookstores have popped up in other U.S. cities too. They’ve also appeared in Japan, France, and the Netherlands. 

Li Yijia is a 22-year-old student. In August, she traveled from Beijing to Washington, D.C. She wandered into Mr. Yu’s shop. To her, it felt like “another world in a bubble.” She could find books in both Chinese and English. It helped her hone critical thinking skills.

God gives us minds to learn and think. Dishonest leaders know a free-thinking people might see through their lies. But God has nothing to hide. Neither do leaders who follow Him. The Bible encourages us to think critically and test the things we hear. The more we learn, the more we discover how good God is.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. — Proverbs 9:10