SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – The raid by police on Stand News in Hong Kong this week was “completely legal and without reproach”, claimed a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy. This statement countered foreign criticisms of the action.

Responding to remarks made by Amanda Milling (British minister of state in Asia), the spokesperson of the Embassy said that Amanda’s actions would “further impair freedom of expression in Hong Kong”.

Late Thursday, the Chinese embassy stated that the rights and interests of Hong Kong residents including freedom speech and press freedom were being protected in compliance with the law.

According to the spokesperson, “The Chinese side urges the UK once again to correct its wrongs” and cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are China’s internal affairs.

Stand News’ former editors were arrested for conspiring to publish seditious material. They were denied bail on Thursday by a court, just one day after the raid of the pro-democracy media organization that led to its closure.

On Wednesday, 200 officers searched the office of the online magazine and confiscated its property. Seven former and current senior editors were also arrested.

Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary Of State, accused China and Hong Kong for suppressing independent media. He called upon authorities to release all Stand News employees who were being held.

However, on Friday, People’s Daily, an official Communist Party newspaper stated that freedom of press was being used by the government to spread “anti China chaos” in Hong Kong. The newspaper accused foreign politicians “recklessly discrediting the Hong Kong Police”

It stated that “Under the cover of a media organization, Stand News is fundamentally a political organisation through-and-through.”

Freedom has to have a bottom line. Law violations must be punished.