Gui Minhai, a Swedish national and co-owner of the Mighty Current failed to return from a holiday in Thailand in October, while three other associates disappeared when they were visiting southern China, reports said. He was referring in particular to claims that the missing people were arrested by mainland police in the city and then taken across the border. The city’s police said that there was no record of Lee leaving Hong Kong, according to a report in the city’s largest-circulation English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post.
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“We should give time to the police to conduct their investigation”, said acting security secretary John Lee. Nevertheless, Sophie Choi, Mr Lee’s wife, has withdrawn her request for authorities to simply help locate him saying he’s experienced contact.
“We are deeply concerned by reports about the disappearance and detention of individuals associated with the Causeway Bay Books bookstore in Hong Kong”.
She said that “any Hong Kong residents of Chinese descent born in Chinese territory, including Hong Kong people”, were Chinese citizens.
A protester holds a photo of missing bookseller Lee Bo during a protest outside the Liaison of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, Sunday.
That page-turner-worthy plot has actually unfolded in Hong Kong in recent weeks, as at least five people connected to a bookstore and publisher known for works critical of China’s leadership have gone missing. “I am now very good and everything is normal”, the letter read.
In an editorial, it said the case had been “sensationalized” in Hong Kong, arguing there was no point in “political speculation” while the investigation was continuing.
“It is likely that he was illegally kidnapped by the Chinese police or the state security police in Hong Kong, which is a serious violation of the one country, two systems principle”, he said.
The shares not already controlled by Cheng’s companies is worth about US$2.1 billion based on New World China’s last closing price.
It added that it expected Chinese authorities would “continue to make every attempt to make sure that the surroundings where the media and publishers run in the Hong Kong… supports complete and open coverage”.
Her decision has only fueled rumors, however, that Lee has been abducted by mainland Chinese agents.
But Mr Lee’s case is unprecedented, according to Mr Ho, because it involves a Hong Kong citizen being possibly taken outside legal channels by Chinese agents with no jurisdiction in this city.
“Causeway Bay Books nearly only publishes and sells mainland-related political books, many of which contain maliciously fabricated content … the bookstore is as matter of fact surviving by creating trouble for the mainland”, it said.
University academic Lam said Lee’s disappearance had sparked huge concern among critics of the Chinese government in Hong Kong, including pro-democracy politicians, journalists and other publishers.
The FCO encouraged the Hong Kong authorities to “honour its obligation” to press freedom.
“We feel that Hong Kong is not Hong Kong anymore”, she added.
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Under mounting pressure to respond to the disappearance of so many critics of the Beijing government, Leung said that freedoms of press, publication and expression are legally protected in the former British colony. Mrs Lee’s response reflects a typical assumption of Hongkongers – that you could criticise the Communist Party as long as you are in Hong Kong.
