So, you’re saying the Chinese and Russians let him hang around because they were feeling generous.
He only was in Hong Kong for a few days and got stranded in Russia because of the actions of the US State Department. What other choice did he have but to apply for Russian asylum? Do you imagine it’s terribly hard to get political asylum in Russia? There is a standard, everyday process for it, just like other immigration in Russia it is very straightforward. It wouldn’t have required any special consideration (except for the sensitivity of his case).