LettersArrest of British consulate employee justifies Hong Kong protesters’ fears over China extradition bill

“British consulate worker held in mainland China finally released” (August 24) illustrates exactly why more than a million Hongkongers protested against the extradition law citing a lack of confidence in the mainland’s judicial system and concern over the possibility of being framed when in China.

Out of the many pleasure-seekers who cross the border daily, apparently the authorities chose to target this one poor man. He was not caught in the act or arrested immediately after with a “playmate” in Shenzhen, but later, when he was crossing the border back to Hong Kong. Given the loving messages he sent to his Taiwanese girlfriend, it seems most unlikely that the crime took place.

It is well known that a fictitious liaison is the easiest way to entrap a “victim”. Perhaps Cheng’s real crime is that he is Chinese but works at the British consulate and that he has a Taiwanese girlfriend. It would appear to most Hongkongers that this was a ham-fisted attempt to fire a warning to foreign diplomatic missions here to avoid any commentary and to strictly adhere to the Chinese narrative on the recent protests in Hong Kong.

Linked with the invasive border phone searches, this will have a chilling effect on expatriates and foreigners thinking of visiting China. This is the kind of officious action that will make foreign workers and companies think twice about coming to Hong Kong and investing in China. It used to be such a welcoming destination but now the messages are becoming mixed and confusing.