Police detain protesters who attempt to leave the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) during clashes with police in Hong Kong, China November 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

LONDON (Reuters) - China’s ambassador to London on Monday accused the British government of taking sides in the Hong Kong protests by criticising the police and government.

“We have made our position known to the British side when they have made irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong. I think when the British government criticise Hong Kong police, criticise the Hong Kong government in handling the situation they are interfering into China’s internal affairs,” ambassador Liu Xiaoming told reporters.

“They look like they are balanced but as a matter of fact they are taking sides. That is our position.”

As the ambassador’s news conference was unfolding at the Chinese embassy in London, the British Foreign Office issued the latest in a series of statements on Hong Kong, in which it said Britain was seriously concerned by the escalation in violence from both the protesters and the authorities.