Hong Kong (CNN) A Hong Kong citizen working for the British consulate, who has not been heard from for two weeks, was detained in China for "solicitation of prostitution," China's state-run tabloid Global Times reported on Thursday.

Simon Cheng, 28, was detained in the border city of Shenzhen, the report said.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Wednesday that Cheng had been detained by police for 15 days under a sweeping security law , but did not specify a reason -- the law cited for his detention applies to numerous broad offenses.

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

The law stipulates that people who engage in prostitution or visit prostitutes shall be detained for no less than 10 days but no more than 15 days, and may also be fined 5,000 yuan ($705).

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