'Simon Cheng Detention Linked To Prostitution'

A state-run tabloid reported on Thursday that a staff member of the British consulate in Hong Kong who went missing after a trip to Shenzhen two weeks ago, was detained by mainland police for soliciting a prostitute.

The Global Times also said in its exclusive story that Simon Cheng had asked the authorities not to inform his family about his detention.

Cheng's family said it would not respond to the report, saying only that people can judge for themselves.

The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday confirmed that Cheng was being held under “administrative detention” for 15 days for breaking a public security law, without giving any further details.

Under mainland law, people suspected of committing minor offences can be detained for up to 15 days – an arrangement that is not covered by a notification mechanism between Hong Kong and mainland authorities.

Both the British consulate here and the British Foreign Office had said they were “extremely concerned”, after Cheng’s family said he had disappeared suddenly after texting them on the night of August 8 saying he was taking the high-speed rail back to Hong Kong after attending a business event across the border.

The Global Times report said Cheng was detained by mainland police at Lo Wu – which the high speed rail network does not pass through.

The paper also said media in the west, and in Hong Kong and Taiwan had linked the case to “the complicated situation” in Hong Kong and “interpreted it politically” – noting that many reports had played up the fact that his family had not been notified about Cheng’s detention.

The article included a photo it said was taken from Cheng’s social media account, showing him together with former Hong Kong governor Christopher Patten, noting that Cheng had praised the British politician.

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