Show Of Support At UK Consulate For Missing Worker

Dozens of people gathered outside the British consulate in Admiralty on Wednesday evening to show support for a member of its staff who has been detained by Shenzhen authorities.

Hong Kong citizen Simon Cheng failed to return to here after going across the border on August 8 to attend a business event.

Mainland authorities have confirmed that Shenzhen police accused Cheng of breaking a public security law and are holding him for 15 days under "administrative detention".

The protesters stuck missing person posters on the walls outside the consulate and urged the British government to intervene. They also handed a petition to the deputy consulate-general.

One supporter, Jason, met Cheng when studying in the UK, and said he is shocked about his friend's sudden disappearance.

"I never expected he would be detained by Chinese authorities for no reason. He's working for the British consulate ... for that reason, I think he's not risky compared with others fighting for democracy in Hong Kong."