China asks Britain not to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs

China today asked Britain not to interfere in the internal affairs of Hong Kong "in any form", terming a UK Minister's offer of support for elections in the former British colony as "irresponsible".
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei took exception to comments by Hugo Swire, the British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who in an article in Hong Kong newspapers said: "Britain stands ready to support in any way we can" for the Hong Kong election in 2017.
Swire wrote "blatantly making irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong's political system development. China has strongly dissatisfied about that and firmly opposed to that," Hong said replying to a question.

The political system is internal affairs of Hong Kong and China, he said.
Earlier, the Hong Kong Special administration dismissed Swire's remarks with similar disdain.
"Hong Kong suffered a long time colonial rule. Since it returned to the motherland the basic law fully protects basic rights and freedom of Hong Kong compatriots," Hong said.

"We urge UK to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs in any form," he said.
Commenting on controversy, state-run Global Times said "there have been controversies about general elections within Hong Kong for years".
The pan-democracy camp insists that Hong Kong, whose election must be conducted in accordance with the general convention, should be regarded as an independent political entity.

Such a claim won't be backed by the central government.
Hong Kong's general election, as regulated by the central government, must be held based on the Basic Law. Anyone who goes against the will of the central government will be disqualified as a candidate for the chief executive, it said.
"Hong Kong returned to China 16 years ago, and democracy has enjoyed a significant development since then. More legislators have been elected through a direct election system, which will be applied to the election of the chief executive in 2017," it said.
"Considering the inequality and injustice during the UK's colonisation in Hong Kong, the Empire should regret rather than take credit for Hong Kong's democracy," it said.