The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Thursday it sent a delegation to Spain after police carried out an operation affecting the local Chinese community in the European country.

At a daily press briefing, ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the delegation paid the visit from Nov. 26 to 28, and met the overseas Chinese as well as relevant officials with the Spanish government.

The delegation toured Chinese businessmen's shops, and offered advice helping them operate legally and integrate into local society, he said.

Spain carried out a major police operation codenamed "Operation Emperor" in October. About 80 people were arrested across the country, charged in a money laundering scheme. More than 50 people in custody were reported to be Chinese.

The delegation asked the Spanish side to safeguard the legal rights of the Chinese people and eradicate negative effects of the police operation as soon as possible, Hong said.

The Spanish side, Hong said, responded positively while expressing that they will take effective measures to properly solve issues and push forward Spain-China relations.

"With the two sides' joint efforts, impacts imposed by the operation on the Chinese community in Spain have been brought under preliminary control," Hong said.