RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE REQUEST: ZHOU YONGJUN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 113599 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2024 TAGS: CH HK PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE REQUEST: ZHOU YONGJUN REF: HONG KONG 1968 Classified By: DAS David B. Shear for reason 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Department concurs with Post's demarche request in reftel. Please note talking points included in para. 3. ¶2. (C) BACKGROUND: In response to reftel, Department reqests Post seek clarification at the appropriate level of the Hong Kong government regaring the departure of U.S. LPR Zhou Yongjung from Hong Kong to the Mainland. Post may share the demarche points with UK and EU representatives in Hong Kong and, as deemed appropriate, make joint demarches with the EU on this subject. ¶3. (C/REL EU/UK) Post may draw on the following points with appropriate officials in the government of Hong Kong: -- The United States is following the case of former Tiananmen activist and U.S. lawful permanent resident Mr. Zhou Yongjun, who is reportedly currently in custody in Suining City, Sichuan Province, on charges of fraud. -- We understand that Mr. Zhou was halted when attempting to enter the Hong Kong SAR September 28, 2008. He was refused entry despite reportedly having been interviewed by Hong Kong police, who themselves found no reason to place him in custody. -- We understand that Mr. Zhou was also refused permission to return to either Macau (his point of embarkation) or the United States (his point of origin). Hong Kong immigration authorities have stated publicly their policy is normally to return those refused entry to either their point of embarkation or their point of origin. Instead, Mr. Zhou was reportedly transported across the SAR border to Shenzhen. -- We request clarification of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Zhou's movement to the Mainland. In particular, whether there were any outstanding legal orders against Mr. Zhou in Hong Kong and/or whether Hong Kong judicial authorities or other competent authorities have determined that Mr. Zhou should be transferred to the Mainland. -- We are also unaware of any formal legal mechanism for law enforcement transfers of individuals between the Hong Kong SAR and the Mainland through extradition or other means. We therefore request clarification of what mechanisms exist that would permit such a transfer. CLINTON