A FOREIGN Office employee working for a Scottish Government agency told his girlfriend “pray for me” moments before trying to travel out of China where it is believed he is being detained.

Simon Cheng Man-kit, who is employed by the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong but works for Scottish Development International – the inward investment agency – went missing after crossing the border on a business trip on August 8. The Scottish Government voiced concern for his welfare.

Local media reported that Cheng attended a business meeting in Shenzhen in south-eastern China and planned to return to Hong Kong via high-speed train the same night.

When he failed to return to work the next day, his family, including his girlfriend Li, informed the police.

Li, who met Cheng when they were both studying in the UK, told news outlet HK01 that he had contacted her shortly before the border crossing.

She shared screenshots of messages from Cheng on WeChat, which is believed to be monitored by the Chinese government, as well as a conversation on WhatsApp.

“Ready to pass through the border,” one WhatsApp message read at 10.40pm. Cheng added: “Pray for me.”

The Hong Kong citizen then added in a message on WeChat: “Passing through, pray for me.”

HK01 also reported that Cheng told colleagues during the trip to delete WeChat before they crossed the border back into Hong Kong.

Cheng’s disappearance comes after weeks of pro-democracy protests sparked by a now-suspended bill that would have allowed extraditions from Hong Kong into China.

Hong Kong authorities confirmed he had not been arrested in the territory before it was discovered he had been detained in China.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are aware of this incident and we are concerned for Mr Cheng’s welfare.

“We are liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who are in contact with Mr Cheng’s family, the authorities in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and are seeking further information.”