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