(CNN) UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has made what he described as a "terrible mistake" on his first official visit to China, accidentally describing his Chinese wife as Japanese during a meeting in Beijing on Monday.

"My wife is Japanese -- my wife is Chinese," Hunt said at talks with prominent Chinese leaders, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"Sorry, that's a terrible mistake to make," Hunt quickly added as the group erupted in a fit of laughter.

Jeremy Hunt accidentally describes his wife as Japanese, not Chinese. In a meeting with Wang Yi, Chinese State Counsellor. pic.twitter.com/YaKrSzr2jA — Kathy Long (@ProducerKathy) July 30, 2018

Hunt attempted to minimize the damage by demonstrating knowledge about where his wife's family lives.

"My wife is Chinese and my children are half-Chinese and so we have Chinese grandparents who live in Xian and strong family connections in China," he said, referring to the northern city, one of China's ancient capitals.

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