UK Foreign Office 'extremely concerned' for Hong Kong staffer reportedly detained in China

The British Consulate-General in Hong Kong on Tuesday addressed local media reports that Simon Cheng has been held in Shenzhen, a city on Hong Kong's border with mainland China, since August 9.

"We are extremely concerned by reports that a member of our team has been detained returning to Hong Kong from Shenzhen," a spokesperson for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in an email Tuesday.

"We are providing support to his family and seeking further information from authorities in Guangdong province and Hong Kong," the spokesperson added.

The British Embassy in Beijing put out an identical statement.

In a statement, Hong Kong Immigration Department said it had received a request for assistance from Cheng's family. The department said it had contacted the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong for information and was providing Cheng's family with advice and assistance.

CNN has reached out to the Hong Kong Police for comment.

CNN's Angus Watson contributed to this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)