China wants a Canadian Parliament committee to withdraw its invitation for a Hong Kong pro-democracy movement leader to appear and testify before its hearing.

The Chinese ambassador to Canada, Lou Zhaojui, sent a letter to the committee telling its members to keep out of China's domestic affairs. He also made a subtle warning for the Canadian legislators to refrain from actions that can jeopardize the relations between China and Canada.

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China is hoping the Canadian committee will recall its invitation to activist Martin Lee, who is set to talk on Tuesday about the democracy movement in Hong Kong.

Lee was among the several people arrested last December, after leading protests against the restrictions that Beijing is imposing, for Hong Kong's first election in 2017.

The protests had disrupted business activities in Hong Kong. The events also created a new opposition movement that Chinese President Xi Jinping has come to see Lee as a threat to his country's stability.

China usually sends strongly worded messages to countries that accommodate political figures that it does not approve of. One example is the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The Chinese ambassador's letter to the Canadian Parliament states, "We hereby express our deep concern and strong opposition." He notes that "Hong Kong's political development falls entirely within China's domestic affairs."

The envoy warns that China will ultimately oppose any foreign body or individual that may interfere with in the Hong Kong situation.

In addition, Lou said they are hoping Canada will consider the sensitivity of the situation in Hong Kong and refrain from holding the said hearing. He then proceeded to urge the Parliament not to intervene in this internal conflict to avoid communicating the wrong message to the international community and disrupt ties between China and Canada.

However, David Mulroney, who is Canada's ambassador to China until 2012, says, the Chinese diplomat has an "incomplete understanding" of how the Canadian parliament works. He advises the Chinese ambassador to be aware of Canadian history.

Since Canadians sacrificed their lives when they fought for Hong Kong, they now have a special connection to the city, Mulroney explained. He points out that it is incumbent upon the committee to hear people like Lee, because Canada has a moral responsibility "as a friend of Hong Kong."

TagsHong Kong, martin lee, Hong Kong Protest