THE Foreign Office says it is ‘extremely concerned’ for the welfare of a consular employee in Hong Kong who is believed to have been detained in China.

‘Simon’ Cheng Man Kit, 28, went missing after heading to border city Shenzhen for a work-related event on August 8.

He texted his girlfriend while on the train home to tell her he was approaching the border, adding: ‘Pray for me.’

She hasn’t heard from him since, news website HK01 reported.

‘We are extremely concerned by reports that a member of our team has been detained returning to Hong Kong from Shenzhen,’ the Foreign Office said. ‘We are providing support to his family and seeking further information from authorities in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong.’

Mr Cheng is a trade and investment officer with the Scottish Development International section of the consulate.

It is unclear whether the Hong Kong native, who has a masters in the political economy of Europe from the London School of Economics, holds a diplomatic passport. But detention of consular staff in any circumstances is highly unusual.

Hong Kong police said officers were investigating after receiving a missing persons report on August 9.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam says she is setting up a ‘communication platform’ to resolve differences after months of anti-government protests. Activists have urged her to resign and want an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality against them.

China has accused Britain of meddling by supporting the protests in the former UK colony.