Q: British Deputy Prime Minister Nicholas Clegg and Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire met the other day with Lee Chu-ming and Chan Fang On Sang, opposition figures from Hong Kong. What is China's comment on that?
A: Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997, the practice of "one country, two systems" has achieved great success, which is recognized by all. Hong Kong's affairs fall within China's internal affairs. The Chinese government is firmly opposed to any interference in Hong Kong's affairs by any external force under whatever pretext. What the British side has done interferes in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side hereby expresses strong dissatisfaction.
The Chinese side has lodged solemn representations with the British side. The Chinese side urges the British side to truly respect China's position and concern, honor relevant commitment, immediately stop its interference in Hong Kong's affairs in whatever forms and take effective measures to remove the negative impact of the incident so as to safeguard China-UK relations and bilateral cooperation with concrete actions.