China criticises US and German embassies for 'interference'

Pro-democracy activists hold pictures of Chinese activist Wu Gan in Hong Kong (Kin Cheung/AP)

China's foreign ministry has accused the American and German embassies of interfering in its affairs after they objected to the prosecutions of an activist and a lawyer who handled sensitive cases.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that a joint statement by the embassies calling for Wu Gan's release and for lawyer Xie Yang to be allowed to return to work was irresponsible.