China: Detention of UK-HK consulate worker a 'Chinese issue' - MoFA

W/S Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang arriving at press conference in Beijing
M/S Geng at podium
W/S Press
SOT, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): "This guy [UK's Hong Kong consulate Simon Cheng] is a Chinese citizen of Hong Kong. He is not a British citizen. So this is a completely internal Chinese issue. The so-called serious concerns raised by the UK do not exist at all. We have repeatedly lodged 'solemn representations' [diplomatic discontent] with the UK over a series of ill-chosen words and deeds concerning Hong Kong. We asked the UK to stop pointing fingers and gossiping, and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs."
W/S Press
C/U Journalist
SOT, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): "Police in Luohu, Shenzhen, said the person involved made a personal request after the incident. At his request, the police did not inform his family of the violation."
M/S Press *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): "If people are doing their jobs properly and not breaking laws and regulations, their legitimate rights and interests in China will be fully protected. But if you have ulterior motives and a plot in China, you should be alarmed and extremely careful."
M/S Press
M/S Press
SOT, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): "We have noticed the relevant decision made by South Korea. We think that it is the sovereign right of sovereign states to carry out or terminate military security cooperation. At the same time, bilateral arrangements between the two sides should be conducive to regional peace and stability, and be helpful in promoting the peace process on the peninsula without jeopardising the interests of third parties."
M/S Press *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): "China, Japan and South Korea are earnestly preparing for the eighth leaders' meeting. We hope that Japan and South Korea can properly handle relevant issues and create a good atmosphere for the meeting."
W/S Press conference
M/S Geng leaving as press conference concludes
SCRIPT
The detention of a worker at the UK's consulate in Hong Kong is a "completely internal Chinese issue," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang during a press conference in Beijing on Friday. According to state media, Simon Cheng was arrested in mainland China for allegedly visiting prostitutes.
"This guy is a Chinese citizen of Hong Kong. He is not a British citizen. So this is a completely internal Chinese issue. The so-called serious concerns raised by the UK do not exist at all," stated Geng. "We asked the UK to stop pointing fingers and gossiping, and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs."
He added that it was upon the consulate employee's request that his family was not informed.
Cheng, a trade officer at the British consulate in Hong Kong, was detained on August 8, when he was travelling to Shenzhen, a city bordering Hong Kong in mainland China.
The UK Foreign Office reportedly expressed "extreme concern" after he was reported missing when he did not turn up to work the next day.
According to media, he is due to be released this Friday.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also commented on South Korea's decision to scrap a military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, and said that "it is the sovereign right of sovereign states to carry out or terminate military security cooperation."
"At the same time, bilateral arrangements between the two sides should be conducive to regional peace and stability, and be helpful to promote the peace process on the peninsula without jeopardizing the interests of third parties," he added.