Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1918997/i-sneaked-mainland-china-illegally-help-investigation-and Law and Crime
I sneaked into mainland China illegally to help an investigation ... and gave up my British citizenship too, says missing Hong Kong bookseller Lee Po
Lee gives a 20-minute interview with Phoenix TV in which he says he will return to Hong Kong once his help is no longer needed. City’s chief executive and security minister both say police will continue to investigate
Lee Po appeared at ease during the interview with Phoenix TV. Photo: Phoenix TV
One of the missing booksellers from Causeway Bay Books appeared on television and admitted for the first time he had sneaked into the mainland illegally to assist in an investigation,
Lee Po, who runs the bookstore specialising in selling politically sensitive publications banned on the mainland, reiterated in the 20-minute interview aired by Phoenix TV on Monday night that he had visited the mainland of his own free will to assist as a witness in an investigation into Gui Minhai, co-owner of publishing house Mighty Current, which runs the bookstore.
Lee appeared calm and smiled throughout the interview, conducted in a well decorated room in an unknown location
On the mystery surrounding his disappearance, Lee said: “I sneaked into the mainland with the help of a friend [or friends] so I didn’t use my home return permit.” 
A visitor at Causeway Bay Books, where a poster on the window shows the missing booksellers. Photo: SCMP
But he declined to elaborate. “It’s not convenient to disclose the details,” he said.
He explained the fact that the investigation might make someone angry which might bring harm to him and his family was the reason he adopted a secret way to visit the mainland without using his travel document.
“I wanted to secretly visit the mainland and solve my own matters as soon as possible, and then return home secretly,” Lee said.
I wanted to secretly visit the mainland and solve my own matters as soon as possible, and then return home secretly
The interview was aired hours after Hong Kong police disclosed they had met Lee in a guest house at an undisclosed location on the mainland.
Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said on Tuesday morning that during the meeting, Lee did not tell the police how he got to the mainland without going through proper channels. But police will continue to follow up on this matter, the security chief said.
Lai also said that there has been no evidence so far to show that mainland law enforcement officers had carried out their work in Hong Kong.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying would say only that even though Lee’s wife has withdrawn her request for police assistance, the force has continued to look into the case.
A 'closed' sign and support messages hang on the door of the Causeway Bay Books store in Hong Kong. Photo: EPA
The content of the interview was also carried on Monday night by Shanghai-based online portal Thepaper.cn and Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily’s website.
Lee dismissed speculation that he was in trouble for buying sex on the mainland or blackmailing public figures there by publishing books with material on their negative side.
He said Gui had published a lot of books about mainland issues in recent years, but all these books were compiled carelessly with copied and in some cases fabricated material.
“I was to blame too. And I took this opportunity to confess my wrongdoing.”
He also said he had not yet been able to go home as the investigation was continuing. But he could return whenever his assistance was finished.
The British citizen said he had never sought help from the UK government and he had always called himself a “Hongkonger” and a “Chinese”.
He said he and his wife had decided to abandon their UK citizenship as this had complicated the case
He had notified the British side about their decision.
“I haven’t been to Britain for more than 20 years. And I haven’t enjoyed any rights or benefits as a citizen.” 
A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Causeway Bay Books shareholder Lee Po during a protest. Photo: Reuters
The couple’s daughter is studying at a British university where she is paying fees imposed on ordinary foreign students, he said.
“My life now on the mainland is very good. I’m very safe and free. And you can see my health is still not bad. I get along well with the law enforcement workers, who treat me well,” Lee said.
Two pictures of the couple taken on the mainland during the Lunar New Year holiday were also made available with reports about the interview.
Lee said his wife Sophie Choi Ka-ping had met him and they had had some fun.
Additional reporting by Phila Siu