China's foreign ministry has urged the United States to refrain from speaking officially about the political atmosphere in Hongkong, and meddling with China's internal affairs.

Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the call in response to a statement from a spokesperson in the US state department who said the US supports the movement calling for universal suffrage in the territory.

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In a press conference Tuesday in Washington, deputy state department spokesperson Marie Harf said the US is well aware of the issues involved in the recent protests, including the unofficial referendum where almost 800,000 Hongkong residents took part, and the July 1 march calling on Hongkong leaders to ensure a legitimate election in 2017 for Hongkong's next chief executive.

Harf said that while details of the election process are being worked out, the US believes that "the legitimacy of this person (the next Hongkong leader) will be enhanced if universal suffrage is fulfilled and if the election provides a genuine choice of candidates that are representative of the voters' will."

Hong Lei, speaking Wednesday at the foreign ministry's daily briefing, said any issues relating to the political system in Hongkong is China's internal affairs.

"The Chinese government resolutely opposes any interventions by any other countries, and expects the relevant country to stop making irresponsible comments on Hongkong's internal affairs," Hong said.

Hong said the basic rights and freedom of the people of  Hongkong have been fully guaranteed over the past 17 years since the territory was returned to China, due to the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

TagsHongkong, China Foreign Ministry, Marie Harf, US State Department