The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government refuted claims made by a group of overseas politicians and individuals in an open letter to Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The allegations were considered unfounded and misguided.

The letter called for an international-level probe into the role of Hong Kong police in the protests, if Lam fails to set up an independent panel for the purpose.

"We are gravely concerned that the claims in their letter are biased and misleading. The HKSAR government must rebut them to ensure they truly understand the extent of violence by radical protesters and the attacks they have made on the police and citizens," the government spokesman said.

Over the past six months' unrest, no protesters have been killed as a result of direct police action, while several policemen have been seriously injured, according to the report published on the government official website.

This is the stark reality that foreign politicians and organizations, including the signatories of the open letter, must be made aware of, it added.

The spokesman also stressed that police do not initiate actions against protesters and only respond with appropriate and proportionate force when protesters take part in illegal activities.

"The HKSAR government fully recognizes that freedom and the rule of law are the core values of Hong Kong and the cornerstone of our long-term prosperity and stability, and the HKSAR government is determined to safeguard these core values at all times," the spokesman further stated.

The spokesman made clear that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the high degree of autonomy had been faithfully implemented in strict accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR.  

The Basic Law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Foreign politicians and organizations should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR, the spokesman emphasized.

"Such action, coupled with the threat of Magnitsky sanctions, would be a gross interference in Hong Kong's governance and autonomy as well as the sovereignty of our nation. No government would tolerate such action or bow to such pressure," the spokesman added.