The following is a letter from Mr. Miao Deyu, Spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, responding to the Times’ editorial article on Hong Kong on 2 December 2014.

Sir,

We do not agree with your leading article on Hong Kong (“Beijing Bully”, Dec 2). Non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs is a basic norm governing state-to-state relations. The foreign affairs committee’s plan to conduct an “inquiry” in Hong Kong — which is Chinese territory — represents gross interference in China’s internal affairs. China has repeatedly made this position clear to the UK. Unfortunately, the foreign affairs committee not only disregarded these representations but chose to openly attack China. It is such an approach that is “outrageous”, in our view.

Further, the Sino-British Joint Declaration does not include “a pledge to introduce universal suffrage by 2017”. What it does provide is that the chief executive will be appointed by the central government based on the results of elections or consultations to be held locally.

                                                                                             Miao Deyu

                                                                     Spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in the UK