Beijing on Thursday responded to speculation that a jailed Chinese dissident might win the Nobel Peace Prize by denouncing him as a criminal and warning that honouring him would amount to meddling in China’s internal affairs.

The tone of the remarks by Qin Gang, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, suggested real concern in Beijing that Hu Jia, an outspoken campaigner for the rights of people with Aids and other disadvantaged groups, is seen as a serious contender for this year’s prize, which is to be announced on Friday.