BEIJING -- The Chinese central government will continue to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on foreign exchanges and cooperation, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press briefing that foreign investors' interests in Hong Kong will continue to be protected by law.

"We welcome foreign countries to maintain and develop relations with Hong Kong in trade, culture, tourism and other fields," said Hong.

The prosperity and stability of Hong Kong are not only in line with China's interests, but also in accordance with interests of foreign investors, the spokesman said.

Hong also stressed that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, which should not be interfered by any foreign nation.

Hong's remarks came after Hong Kong legislative council on Thursday voted down a motion on universal suffrage for selection of the region's next chief executive.

A total of 28 lawmakers of the legislative council (LegCo) voted against the motion, which failed to reach the two-thirds majority in the 70-member chamber. The fifth chief executive of the HKSAR will be selected by the election committee as before.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Thursday said the result ran counter to the mainstream opinion of Hong Kong society and is not an outcome the central government is willing to see.