The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau says it's highly concerned about remarks made by the chairwoman of the weightlifting and powerlifting association who described Hong Kong as a "relatively small country".

Josephine Ip of the Hong Kong, China Weightlifting and Powerlifting Association was giving a speech during a weightlifting competition at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Sunday.

In a statement, the association explained that she was discussing how the International Weightlifting Federation handled membership issues relating to smaller countries or regions.

The association described her remarks as a slip of the tongue and apologised for causing any misunderstandings, stressing that there is absolutely no intention of advocating "Hong Kong independence".

"The association firmly supports and upholds the Basic Law and the principle of One Country, Two Systems," the statement read.

The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China said it had contacted the association over the matter and that it reminded its affiliated sports associations that there must be no ambiguity in their discourse regarding national sovereignty and the principle of One Country, Two Systems.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said it has requested the Hong Kong, China Weightlifting and Powerlifting Association to submit a report over the matter.