HONG KONG, July 16 -- Hong Kong affairs are entirely China's internal affairs, and the Chinese government firmly opposes any interference in Hong Kong's affairs by any external forces under whatever pretext, the Office of the Commissioner of China's Foreign Ministry of China in Hong Kong said Wednesday.

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Minister of State for the Foreign Office Hugo Swire recently met with Hong Kong's opposition activists Lee Chu-ming and Chan Fang On-sang.

The behavior of the British side was an interference in China's internal affairs and the Chinese side hereby expressed strong discontent, a spokesman of the Commissioner's Office said regarding the meeting, adding that the Chinese government has lodged solemn representations to the British government.

China urged the British government to respect China's stance and concern, adhere to its commitment and stop immediately any interference in Hong Kong's affairs in any form, said the spokesman.