BEIJING - China on Wednesday expressed opposition to international organizations' discussions of illegal border crossings by nationals from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"These organizations are not the appropriate venue for discussing the issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press briefing in regards to a decision made by the United States and European Union to propose the issue to the UN Human Rights Council.

He said the view that those DPRK nationals are political refugees is not true. Those people illegally entered China for economic reasons, not as refugees.

"We oppose internationalizing and politicizing the issue or making it a refugee issue," Hong said.

He stressed that China will follow its consistent practice, and properly handle the issue in accordance with international laws, its domestic laws and human rights principles.

"This is conducive to all relevant sides and is in accord with international practice," Hong said.

He said he hoped China's judicial sovereignty would be respected and safeguarded, and urged countries and people involved to not continue to make this a hot issue.