The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government revoking passports of six exiled anti-China rioters is a "justified and lawful" move to safeguard national security, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The Security Bureau of the HKSAR government announced earlier Wednesday that it has cancelled the passports of wanted Law Kwun-chung and five other absconders currently living in the UK who are charged with crimes including splitting the state and colluding with foreign states.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called the measures, which are in accordance with the National Security Ordinance, justified, lawful and legitimate for upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong and defending national security.

Law Kwun-chung and the others have long been engaged in anti-China and anti-Hong Kong activities, seriously jeopardizing national security, undermining the fundamental interests of Hong Kong, and threatening the bottom line of "One Country, Two Systems," Lin said.

"I will reiterate that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs and brook no interference from any external forces," said the spokesperson.

(Cover: A view of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. /CFP)