By Chris SummersA Chinese billionaire, who was supposedly protected by eight female bodyguards, has vanished in Hong Kong, amid speculation he has been abducted by agents of Beijing. The Financial Times reported he had been led away from his serviced apartment at the hotel by Chinese security agents. In 2015 five booksellers who published works that criticised Chinese leaders and made explosive allegations about their alleged crimes were abducted in Hong Kong. It is unclear why Xiao may have been targeted, but it will add to fears that Chinese authorities are increasingly interfering in semi-autonomous Hong Kong. Xiao is reported to have come to Hong Kong in 2014, two years after Chinese President Xi started a much-publicised anti-corruption drive.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 01, 2017 03:43 UTC