China says attempts for British lawmakers' entry to HK 'futile'

BEIJING -- China warned Britain on Tuesday that further request for a parliamentary delegation to enter Hong Kong would also be denied.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said such attempts would be "unreasonable and futile", after British Prime Minister David Cameron labeled China's decision to refuse visas to members of the British foreign office committee "mistaken".

"These lawmakers are not attempting to enter China on a 'friendly visit' but rather for investigative purposes. We don't need foreign politicians researching on Chinese territory," Hua said.

It is alleged that the real reason the committee was attempting to enter Hong Kong was to inform its inquiry into China's democratic progress.

The month-long Occupy Central Movement is illegal and the central government supports the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to deal with it according to Chinese laws, Hua said, reiterating opposition to foreign interference into Hong Kong affairs.

Hua said China had always been willing to develop friendly and mutually beneficial relations with foreign countries, including Britain, based on mutual respect and non interference into domestic affairs.

"China and Britain's bilateral relationship will only work if the two work together," the spokesperson added.

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