Matthew Ng, a Chinese-born Australian entrepreneur has been detained in Guangzhou after his company, Et-China, was involved with a business dispute with Chinese partners. From the Sydney Morning Herald:
Guangzhou police are yet to lay charges or reveal their case for detaining him and this week refused his application for bail. Mr Ng’s incarceration comes nine months after the Australian iron ore salesmen Stern Hu was sentenced to 11 years in jail, amid fears that China’s business playing field is increasingly tilted against overseas business people.
A spokesman for the Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, said Mr Ng and his family were receiving consular assistance.
A business associate told the Herald Mr Ng’s mental state was deteriorating and his wife, Nicki Chow, and their two young children had taken refuge in Hong Kong after becoming distraught and needing medical support.
A Guangzhou security source said it was “just an economic case”, while Mr Ng’s financial backers said “foul play” was involved and they would keep fighting.
