Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks to the media about a report released by the Independent Police Complaints Council on police use of force at the government headquarters, Hong Kong, May 15, 2020. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Friday said the government will form a task force to follow up suggestions put forward by the police watchdog in its long-awaited report on the protracted social unrest.

The task force would review assistance given to the press when covering violent protests and enhance cross-departmental collaboration in such incidents, Lam said.

The task force would review assistance given to the press when covering violent protests and enhance cross-departmental collaboration in such incidents, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said

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According to the 1,000-page report by the Independent Police Complaints Council,  IPCC, police use of force is necessary to fulfill its duty of maintaining law and order. It was in reaction to illegal activities to protect themselves from attacks by protesters, according to the report.

Lam said police had been performing their duty to enforce the law and safeguard the city’s stability, noting that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong.

The government rejects violence and will continue to make every effort to maintain order, Lam said.

The IPCC report makes 52 recommendations to the police to improve the handling of mass demonstrations and violent protests in future. These suggestions call for, among other things, a clear guideline for the police to promote public understanding of the force’s duty and work routine.

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Lam said the government has accepted all recommendations put forward by the IPCC.

The release of the report doesn’t mean it is the end of social unrest, Lam said, adding the government will continue to follow up on complaints against the police and other controversial cases.

The task force, formed under the Security Bureau, will regularly report progress to Lam.