With tensions rising between mainland China and Hong Kong over the pro-democracy protests on the island,... a new twist in the story has emerged.<br />A British government worker in Hong Kong has gone missing during a trip to China.<br />For more on this and other news around the world, let's turn to our Kim Da-mi.<br />So Dami, tell us more.<br />Mark, the man in question is Simon Cheng, a 28-year-old trade and investment officer at the UK consulate in Hong Kong.<br />He was returning from a trip to Shenzhen in China on August 8th,...when his girlfriend lost contact with him.<br />She told a Hong Kong news website that the territory's immigration service informed her that Cheng had been placed under "administrative detention" in China in an unknown location and for unknown reasons.<br />The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office is now seeking further information from authorities in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong.<br />China's foreign ministry claims it knows nothing about the situation.<br />Under administrative detention in China, Cheng can be held up for up to 15 days without charge.<br />According to his girlfriend, he has not participated in any of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.<br />Meanwhile, the U.S. has made a firm stance on the China-Hong Kong dispute,...bringing up the potential for it to affect a possible U.S. trade deal with China.<br />U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNBC on Tuesday that it would be more difficult to reach a trade deal if the protests end in a violent way.<br />Pressed on what level of violence that might mean, he noted that President Trump said something like "Tiananmen Square."<br />
