Britain Concerned at Reports HK Consulate Worker Held in China

Protesters hold up placards as they gather in central London to attend a march organized by StandwithHK and D4HK in support of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, on Aug. 17, 2019. (Isabel Infantes/AFP/Getty Images)

HONG KONG—Britain said on Aug. 20 it was “extremely concerned” by reports that a staff member at the consulate in its former colony of Hong Kong had been detained in mainland China.

Simon Cheng didn’t return to work on Aug. 9 after visiting the neighboring mainland city of Shenzhen the previous day, Hong Kong news website HK01 reported, citing an interview with his girlfriend and family.

Hong Kong has been gripped by anti-government protests in recent weeks, with Beijing accusing Britain and other Western countries of meddling in its affairs.

Britain, the United States, and other countries have urged China to respect the “one country, two systems” formula under which Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

“We are extremely concerned by reports that a member of our team has been detained returning to Hong Kong from Shenzhen,” a representative of Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement released by the British embassy in Beijing.

“We are providing support to his family and seeking further information from authorities in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong,” the representative said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the case. Hong Kong police didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Hong Kong’s Immigration Department confirmed via email that it had received a “request for assistance from subject’s family member” and “had provided the family with proper advice and practical assistance.”

The British consulate in Hong Kong referred Reuters to the Foreign Office statement.

By Noah Sin and Tom Westbrook