A rights group that said Hong Kong had experienced its worst year for civil and political rights since the handover has been criticised by the Foreign Ministry for trying to cause friction between the city and Beijing.
A spokesman for the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong also said the New York-based Human Rights Watch was attempting to obstruct the smooth running of Sunday's Legislative Council election.
In its 40-page report released on Wednesday, the group also said recent intimidation of politicians, journalists and voters was largely aimed at manipulating the election in favour of pro-Beijing candidates.
However, the ministry spokesman said the forthcoming election was 'the most democratic in the history of Hong Kong'.
'The report once more revealed the wicked nature of Human Rights Watch of being hostile to China and interfering with the affairs of other nations. We are firmly opposed to the report.'
Speaking in Beijing yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said the central government was dedicated to implementing the concepts of 'one country, two systems' and 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong'.