In the latest twist in the ever-ridiculous Hong Kong missing booksellers case, China has finally admitted that publisher Lee Bo is indeed on the mainland. Shock, horror.
The Hong Kong police issued a statement last night saying they finally received a written reply from Guangdong security officials about the whereabouts of one of Hong Kong’s five missing booksellers.
It is widely suspected that the men – who all work for Causeway Bay Books, a publisher known for releasing salacious tomes about the Communist Party – were abducted by mainland agents and are being detained in China.
Along with the long-awaited notification was a letter apparently from Lee, saying he is helping the central government with investigations.
Meanwhile, Gui Min, a naturalised Swede who went missing three months ago while on holiday in Thailand, was paraded on Chinese state TV on Sunday night, claiming he returned to the mainland of his own according to answer to charges involving a drunk driving fatality 11 years ago.
Many, including Gui’s family and human rights groups, dismissed the confession as an “unconvincing diversion”.
More conspiracy theories emerged when even the least-observant of viewers noticed some obvious editing gaffes. Gui’s undershirt, hair and general demeanour seemed to change three times throughout the clip, suggesting the interviews were conducted at different times.
The debacle continues.
