Chinese union activist reported detained

Reports from the northern Chinese city of Datong, in the province of Shanxi, say police have detained an activist calling for the establishment of independent trade unions.

According to the reports, the man, Li Qingxi, had been distributing a document urging Chinese workers to form their own unions.

The reports of his detention were made by Mr Li's fourteen-year-old son and a human rights group based in Hong Kong.

There has been no word from the Chinese authorities.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service