The report “makes irresponsible comments on the practice of the 'one country, two systems' principle in Macao and openly interferes in Macao's affairs and China's internal affairs,” said the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement sent to Lusa.

The same note accused the report of “violating international law and the basic norms of international relations”.

"We strongly condemn and strongly oppose" the position of the European Parliament, he added.

In the document approved by MEPs in Strasbourg, the EP urged Beijing to respect the Basic Law of Macau (mini-constitution of the territory), which will be in force until 2049.

The EP recalled that any interference in the country's electoral processes and in the functioning of the media is prohibited, in a reference to the exclusion of pro-democracy candidates from elections to the local parliament and to acts of editorial interference in the public radio and television station.

Beijing recalled that, in the last 20 years, since Macau's return to Chinese sovereignty, with the “strong support” of the central government, the authorities of the semi-autonomous region “united and led all sectors of society to act in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law” of Macau.

In the report, MEPs recalled that, “after banning ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre and pressing media organisations to adopt a pro-China editorial line this summer, Chinese authorities excluded 21 candidates, most of them of members of pro-democracy movements” of participation in the legislative elections in Macau.

The document also condemns "the systematic violations of human rights in China", requesting that this issue be regularly addressed at the highest political level and the respective evaluation of the progress achieved.

“We urge the European Parliament to seriously respect China's sovereignty and to immediately stop preaching like a 'teacher' and interfering in the affairs of the Special Administrative Region and China's internal affairs,” said the Chinese diplomat.