Bloomberg News Beijing staffer detained by Chinese authorities

A Bloomberg News Beijing staffer was detained by Chinese authorities, the news outlet reported on Friday.

Bloomberg LP received confirmation on Thursday that Haze Fan, a citizen of China, was being held on suspicion of participating in activities that endanger national security.

“Chinese citizen Ms. Fan has been detained by the Beijing National Security Bureau according to relevant Chinese law on suspicion of engaging in criminal activities that jeopardize national security,” Chinese authorities said, according to the news outlet. “The case is currently under investigation. Ms. Fan’s legitimate rights have been fully ensured and her family has been notified.”

Fan was seen being escorted from her apartment building by plain clothes security officials on Monday, shortly after being in contact with one of her editors.

The news outlet said it has sought information on her location from the Chinese government and Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

“We are very concerned for her, and have been actively speaking to Chinese authorities to better understand the situation,” a Bloomberg spokesperson said. “We are continuing to do everything we can to support her while we seek more information.”

Fan joined Bloomberg in 2017, and previously worked with CNBC, CBS News, Al Jazeera and Reuters. Chinese nationals can only work as news assistants for foreign bureaus in China, according to Bloomberg, and cannot do independent reporting.

Foreign media operating in China have also come under pressure, Reuters notes. China has expelled multiple foreign journalists at U.S. media organizations this year amid rising tensions between the nations.

Authorities detained Chen Legi, an Australian citizen working for Chinese-state run CGTN, on a similar charge in August, the news outlet notes.