A Chinese employee of Britain’s Hong Kong Consulate has been detained by Shenzhen police for violating the law, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang confirmed at a regular press conference on Wednesday.

Geng said the staff member was given a 15-day administrative detention for violating the Law of the People's Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security.

“The employee is a resident of Hong Kong SAR, but not a UK citizen. Therefore, this is totally an internal affair,” Geng added.