BEIJING - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Tuesday said China hopes Britain can facilitate free trade and investment while opposing trade protectionism with substantial actions.

Spokesman Geng Shuang said it was imperative for China and Britain, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council and advocators of free trade, to send a positive message on upholding rule-based international order, building an open world economy and opposing protectionism and unilateralism.

"We hope Britain can view normal business activities in an objective way and create a fair environment for foreign investors by adhering to the principles of mutual benefit and common development," Geng said when asked to make comments on reports that British government is planning to tighten foreign takeover rules.

"We hope Britain will take substantial actions to promote trade and investment facilitation, and oppose trade and investment protectionism," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will pay an official visit to China on July 30.