In this file photo dated Sept 30, 2022, Raymond Siu Chak-yee, the commissioner of police of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, gives an interview with China Daily in Wan Chai. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Raymond Siu Chak-yee, commissioner of Police of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, on Sunday strongly condemned despicable and shameless moves by certain US politicians to introduce the so-called sanctions bill against government officials and judicial personnel of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security.

Siu pointed out that their hegemonism is doomed to fail and will only make the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) even more determined and fearless in defending the spirit of the rule of law in Hong Kong and safeguarding national security.

Siu said that every country attaches importance to national security, as it is the cornerstone of national stability and the bedrock of the people's well-being.

Having double standards, certain US politicians have been wantonly smearing officials of the HKSAR, and continuously intimidating and exerting pressure on them with malicious intent, he said.

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Siu said that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China and has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security.

The HKPF has all along been resolutely and fearlessly fulfilling the responsibility of safeguarding national security, he noted.

A group of Hong Kong residents demonstrated outside the United States Consulate General in Hong Kong with banners and slogans with messages such as "Hong Kong affairs should not be interfered with," "Hong Kong's judicial system should not be undermined by the United States," "Condemn the United States for brutally intimidating Hong Kong judges"

Siu stressed that the HKPF, while carrying out duties under the national security law in Hong Kong, always takes law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, against anyone, institution or organization that endangers national security.

Meanwhile, protests were held outside the United States Consulate General in Hong Kong on Sunday to oppose the so-called "Hong Kong Sanctions Act".

Lawmakers of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of HKSAR, Hong Kong civic organizations and members of the general public were among those who joined the protests.

READ MORE: US sanctions threat against civil servants condemned

LegCo member Brave Chan Yung said some US politicians have distorted right and wrong and undermined the core values of the law. He said that judicial personnel and officials in the HKSAR will fearlessly uphold and safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Representatives from the Hong Kong Island Federation put up a large banner that read "Strongly Condemn the Sanctions Proposal of US Legislators" at the scene.

Residents protest outside the US Consulate General in Central against the threat of some US politicians to impose sanctions on HKSAR government officials and judicial personnel for safeguarding national security, on Nov 6, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

They said that the so-called sanctions imposed by the United States would be a waste of paper, and that they were firmly opposed to the smearing of the judicial system of the HKSAR and supported government officials in safeguarding national security.

A group of Hong Kong residents demonstrated outside the United States Consulate General in Hong Kong with banners and slogans with messages such as "Hong Kong affairs should not be interfered with," "Hong Kong's judicial system should not be undermined by the United States," "Condemn the United States for brutally intimidating Hong Kong judges".

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They denounced the brutality, arrogance and hypocrisy of some US politicians.

There were also members of the public who came to the scene with protest letters. One of the letters read "No sanctions and intimidation by Western countries led by the United States can intimidate the Chinese people, and the more they suppress us, the harder we work to build up our great motherland and beautiful Hong Kong."

Dozens of Hong Kong youths at the scene strongly condemned the US lawmakers' threats. Victor Chan Chi-ho, vice-president of the Hong Kong Association of Young Commentators, said the move by some US politicians has disgusted Hong Kong people.

He said efforts of people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to safeguard national security are justified and supported by the whole nation, and brook no interference.