Changes to Hong Kong's election system will guarantee the region is administered by "patriots" who "love both Hong Kong and China" and preserve the region's high levels of autonomy, the Chinese embassy in the UK has said.

At a press conference aimed at addressing questions over the proposed new structure, Charge d'Affaires Yang Xiaoguang said the leadership in Beijing was ensuring a balance between all the needs of Hong Kong and its people.

The changes "ensure the governance of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body, safeguard law-based and effective governance in Hong Kong, keep the implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems' on the right track and lay a solid foundation for sustained stability and prosperity in Hong Kong," Yang said.

READ MORE

China's Two Sessions at a glance

The woman fighting for equality in Russia

Moth-killing drones save crops

The European Union has suggested it will consider unspecified actions against China if the new rules "undermine fundamental freedoms, political pluralism and democratic principles." 

However, Yang stressed the governance of Hong Kong was an internal issue and urged foreign powers not to become involved.

The proposed changes would lead to a "relatively large" share of Hong Kong's legislature being appointed by the region's election committee, which would also vet candidates seeking direct election.

The moves are in response to violent protests in 2019, which Yang said had revealed deficiencies in the existing process and been exploited by anti-China and foreign forces.

A new security law that followed that unrest has been strongly criticized by countries including the UK, the U.S. and Australia, which say it undermines freedoms in the former British colony.