The European Union (EU) has called for the release of five Hong Kong booksellers held by Chinese authorities for investigation into various criminal activities, according to a press statement issued by the organization.

Members of the EU's European Parliament on Thursday issued a resolution calling for the safe release of the booksellers even as it expressed the assembly's "grave concern" over their disappearance from Hong Kong territory.

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"The resolution calls for their immediate release," the assembly said in a press statement describing the issuance.

Domestic Concern

Hong Kong journalists and foreign critics of China's domestic policy say the detention of the five men is in breach of the "one country, two systems rule", the historic precondition under which the United Kingdom ceded administrative control of Hong Kong over to China in 1997.

The Chinese government has said it opposes foreign interference in the on-going criminal investigation surrounding the five men, arguing that -- while Beijing respects Hong Kong's autonomy -- the criminal cases against the booksellers are a domestic concern. 

"Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic matter," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang when asked about the European Parliament's statement. "We firmly oppose any country interfering in China's domestic affairs."

Apprehensions

Reuters claims that diplomats from at least eight governments -- including Germany, Japan, the United States, Australia and Canada -- have quietly approached the Chinese government to discuss their apprehensions about the case.  The news agency suggests that China may soon be facing a 'diplomatic crisis' over the issue. 

Gui Minhai, Lui Por, Lam Wing-kee, Cheung Chi-ping and Lee Bo have been missing for four months.  Their disappearance has made headlines around the world as diplomats and journalists in the Asian financial center have warned that Beijing may be moving to tighten its hold on the city.

Chinese authorities had earlier confirmed that two of the missing publishers, who are European citizens -- Gui Minhai, a Swedish national and Lee Po, a British citizen -- have been detained by police in mainland China.

On Thursday, Hong Kong police officials announced that they received a letter from law enforcement officials from nearby Guangdong  province indicating that Lui Por, Lam Wing-Kee and Cheung Chi-ping were also being held by mainland authorities.

TagsChina-Hong Kong, Hong Kong Bookseller, China-EU relations