Simon Cheng missing: China says Foreign Office worker detained in country arrested over 'solicitation of prostitution'

China has said it detained a Foreign Office worker employed in Hong Kong for "solicitation of prostitution", according to a state-backed paper in the nation.

China's foreign ministry confirmed on Wednesday that consulate employee, Simon Cheng, had been detained in the border city of Shenzhen.

The Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, cited in a report on its English-language website Shenzhen police as saying Cheng had been detained for 15 days for "solicitation of prostitution".

Police in Shenzhen's Luohu district said Mr Cheng had violated article 66 of the law on administrative penalties for public security, the newspaper said.

On Wednesday, China said Mr Cheng was given 15 days of "administrative detention".

Spokesman Geng Shuang confirmed this in a news briefing on Wednesday morning and said Mr Cheng was held for violating public security management regulations.

Mr Cheng did not return to work in Hong Kong on August 9 after visiting the neighbouring mainland city of Shenzhen the previous day, according to his family.

A previous statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was "extremely concerned" about Mr Cheng going missing.

On Wednesday, after confirming Mr Cheng's detention, Mr Geng also hit out at Britain for commenting on the situation.

He said as Mr Cheng is a Chinese situation it is an internal affair for the country and added: "As for Britain's comments, we've made stern representations to Britain for the series of comments and actions they've made on Hong Kong.

"We request they stop making these irresponsible statements, stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs and stop interfering in China's internal affairs."

It is unclear whether he possessed a diplomatic passport and Mr Geng said he was a Hong Kong resident.

A previous Facebook post from his family, detailing Mr Cheng's disappearance, said: "He travelled back to Hong Kong by high-speed rail on the evening of the same day, and sent messages to his girlfriend via WhatsApp and Wechat while he was about to pass customs at about 10 pm. We lost contact with him since then."

They also spoke of being "worried sick" and feeling "helpless" over the situation.

His girlfriend Li, who met Mr Cheng when they were both studying in the UK, told news outlet HK01 that he had contacted her shortly before the border crossing.

She shared screenshots of messages from Mr Cheng on WeChat, which is believed to be monitored by the Chinese government, as well as a conversation on WhatsApp.

"Ready to pass through the border," one WhatsApp message read. Mr Cheng added: "Pray for me."

Mr Cheng's disappearance comes after weeks of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, sparked by a now-suspended bill that would have allowed extraditions from the territory into mainland China.

Tensions remain high as mass demonstrations continue, though Hong Kong authorities confirmed he had not been arrested in the territory before it was discovered he had been detained in China.

​​A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman previously said: "We are concerned by reports that a member of our team has been detained while returning to Hong Kong from Shenzhen.

• Read more

Trump calls Danish leader 'nasty' over snub for buying island

"We are providing support to their family and seeking further information from authorities in Guangdong province and Hong Kong."

Though he is employed by the British Consulate, Mr Cheng is reported to work for Scottish Development International.

The Scottish Government also said it was concerned for Mr Cheng's welfare and was liaising with the Foreign Office.

A spokesman on Wednesday added: "We are aware of this incident and we are concerned for Mr Cheng's welfare.

"We are liaising with the FCO, who are in contact with Mr Cheng's family, the authorities in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and are seeking further information."

Read more

Read more Trump calls Danish leader 'nasty' over snub for buying island