Qin Gang, spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in Beijing on September 3, 2014, that the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee had written a letter two weeks ago to members of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Ottaway, advising them to "bear in mind the larger picture of China-UK relations". Chinese Ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, also conveyed China's views to the lawmakers. Qin Gang said "Issues concerning the political reform of Hong Kong fall into China's domestic affairs, which allow no interference from the outside. It is justifiable for the Chinese side to express its solemn position on this issue."

The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee had announced an inquiry into Britain's relations with Hong Kong in July. Ottaway confirmed to the South China Morning Post on September 3, that Ambassador Liu Xiaoming had raised objections later that month.