Chinese officials took Hillary Clinton to task for her controversial tweet protesting the detention of five women's rights activists.

"Don't meddle in our affairs. China is a country ruled by law. Relevant departments will handle the relevant case according to law. We hope that public figures in other countries can respect China's sovereignty and independence," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said in a news briefing.

Like Us on Facebook

Clinton on Monday night tweeted: " The detention of women's activists in China must end. This is inexcusable."

Clinton's tweet was the offshoot of a recent New York Times story she read detailing the condition and detention of young Chinese feminists in the country.

Lawyers for China  said the five young women activists were arrested for creating trouble and 'picking quarrels', and they had earlier planned to protest on public places including on public transport.

The five young women were protesting against domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women, dressing themselves up as bloodied brides.

The women also distributed pamphlets and flyers and called the attention of the Chinese police to exert more force in preventing crimes against women.

Clinton included the hashtag #Free Beijing 20Five in reference to the 20th anniversary of her last speech before the United Nations conference that was held in Beijing in 1995 where she discussed the global abuse against women.

In her 1995 speech, Hillary said it was about time that the world considers women's rights as no longer separate from human rights.

China has earlier rejected calls from the international community to free the five activists that included British officials and Samantha Power, the US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Power was quoted as saying that if China really means to advance the rights of women, then they should instead listen and address the concerns of the five activists and not gag them.

TagsHillary Clinton, women's rights, #FreeBeijing20Five