The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned British Ambassador to China Caroline Wilson to lodge solemn representations against the UK's sanctions related to so-called human rights issues in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to a statement released by the ministry. 

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang on behalf of the Chinese government, expressed strong condemnation, the statement read.

Qin stressed that the Chinese government is unswerving in its determination to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and will make a necessary and legitimate response to Britain's erroneous act.