Britain's blocking of Chinese firm's takeover opposed

China is firmly opposed to the British side interfering in a Chinese company's normal investment in Britain and damaging its lawful interests, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.

The British government has blocked a Chinese-owned company's takeover of a Wales-based microchip maker, calling it a risk to national security, after the company announced last year that it had acquired a 100 percent stake in the microchip maker, according to the Associated Press.

The British side is over stretching the concept of national security and abusing its state power, Mao said, adding that such a move has violated the market economy principle and international trade rules that it has flaunted.

Mao called for the British side to respect Chinese companies' rights and create an environment that is fair, just and nondiscriminatory for companies from all countries.