To me it seems they are going to protect him or at least prevent Us from searching him. After all he showed to the world that US is just as bad in the things as China is and you'd think China wouldn't want to just give him up for it.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/42147_Hong_Kong_Want...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/1012461...