The Scottish Development International official detained in China has been accused by the authorities of violating public security laws.
The Chinese foreign ministry said Simon Cheng Man-kit, 28, was held on his way back from a business trip to the mainland city of Shenzhen and would be kept for 15 days of “administrative detention”.
The ministry gave no further details of what Cheng is accused of.
The Hong Kong consulate official failed to return to work after a trip to mainland China on August 8. Earlier unconfirmed reports claim the 28-year-old has been detained in China while returning to Hong Kong, where he had been attending a business event.
A trade and investment officer with Scottish Development International, Cheng had messaged his girlfriend on the day of his departure as he boarded a train. He said he was “ready to pass through,” according to Hong Kong news portal HK01. Cheng, who lives in Hong Kong, added: “Pray for me.”
A statement released by the British Embassy in Beijing said: “We are extremely concerned by reports that a member of our team has been detained returning to Hong Kong from Shenzen. We are providing support to his family and seeking further information from authorities in Guandong Province and Hong Kong.”
The Scottish Government said: “We are aware of this incident and we are concerned for Mr Cheng’s welfare. We are liaising with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, who are in contact with Mr Cheng’s family, the authorities in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and are seeking further information.”
A Scottish Enterprise spokesperson said there was nothing further to add publicly at this time and that this was a sensitive matter and Cheng’s safety was of paramount importance.
Hong Kong has been the scene of many anti-government protests over the past few weeks and the Beijing government has accused Western countries including Britain of interfering in its affairs.
