China has warned Britain to refrain from interfering in Hong Kong following a call for international support by a pro-democracy activist following the introduction of new security rules.
Chinese Ambassador Lui Xiaoming has said that the UK's offer to grant British citizenship to 3 million Hong Kong citizens is tantamount to "open interference" in Hong Kong.
The offer was made by the UK following the introduction of new security rules in Hong Kong.
Critics of the laws say the semi-autonomous region has lost its independence since the laws were enacted.
Democrat activist Joshua Wang called for broad support for Hong Kong at the international level and told his compatriots living in Hong Kong in particular and the outside world in general not to listen to Beijing.
Chinese Ambassador Louie has expressed hope that the UK will reconsider its offer.
He told the media that the British government has been making irresponsible statements about Hong Kong.
The Chinese ambassador said a decision on what Beijing should do in response to the British government's move would be made after details of the British offer came to light.
The British government says China has deviated from the 1997 agreement under which Hong Kong was handed over to China, under which China was to ensure the freedom of Hong Kong citizens for 50 years.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged China not to block the entry of Hong Kong citizens, who hold overseas British civil rights, to the UK.
Chinese Ambassador Louis has never been less fearless. It is not uncommon for Britain to condemn what it sees as interference in Beijing's internal affairs.
The United Kingdom and China are now at loggerheads over at least two issues, Hong Kong and Huawei, and tensions between the two countries have never been so intense.
In the case of Huawei, Boris Johnson said last week that China would now be seen as a business rival, and his remarks must have been offensive.
The Chinese ambassador said Chinese officials would never have said such a thing about Britain.
The Chinese ambassador did not comment on the consequences of the UK not awarding the contract to Huawei and welcoming Hong Kong nationals to the UK.
There is no hidden threat from him to repeat the statement of former US National Security Council member Zbigniew Brzezinski that if you make China an enemy, China will become an enemy.
Several other countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia, have also expressed concern about the law's implementation.
The new laws introduced in Hong Kong target separatism, sabotage and terrorism, which could carry up to life in prison.
Opponents of the law, such as Wang, say it is tantamount to restricting freedom of expression, although Beijing denies the allegations.
Wang and two other activists appeared in court on Monday on charges of holding illegal gatherings.
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