China slams British lawmakers' attempt to visit Hong Kong

BEIJING - China on Monday explained the refusal to allow British lawmakers to visit Hong Kong and urged them not to interfere in HK affairs.

"The Chinese central government and the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have told Britain several times that they resolutely opposed the so-called delegation of the House of Commons foreign affairs select committee going to Hong Kong for a so-called investigation and asked for the visit to be canceled," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a press briefing.

She was responding to a question regarding remarks by the chairman of the House of Commons foreign affairs select committee saying China had acted in an overtly confrontational manner by refusing their access.

Hua said if certain British lawmakers were determined to do this, that would be genuinely overt confrontation and not beneficial for Sino-British ties.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and HK affairs are purely China's internal affairs, said the spokesperson.

"China has many times expressed its firm opposition to any foreign government, organization or person's interference in HK affairs," she added.

China has always attached great importance to Sino-British ties, which meet the common interests of both countries and peoples, she said.

"The door is always open to those who are committed to enhancing Sino-British ties. Meanwhile, we firmly oppose and will never allow anyone interfere in our internal affairs," she said.