Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said her government will provide the people of Hong Kong with "necessary assistance" amid protests in the semi-autonomous city over China's proposal to enact security legislation, EDNews.net reports citing Deutsche Welle.

Tsai said the proposed national security law for Hong Kong was a serious threat to the city's freedom and judicial independence. She also criticized the authorities for their heavy-handed approach in dealing with the protests.

"The solution is not bullets, not to create more fear and crackdown, but to truly implement freedom and democracy and truly live up to Hong Kong's promise of autonomy," Tsai said in a Facebook post late Sunday.

"In the face of changes in the situation, the international community is actively helping the people of Hong Kong," the president wrote, referring to a rebuke from foreign governments, including US senators and British lawmakers.

Taiwan, she said, will "even more proactively perfect and forge ahead with relevant support work and provide Hong Kong's people with necessary assistance."

The leader of Taiwan's main opposition party, however, accused Tsai's government of failing to take meaningful action. "Don't let 'supporting HongKong' only be a slogan of empty promises ... Bring up your thoughts on legislation. Support Hong Kong with real actions," said Johnny Chiang of the pro-Beijing party, the Kuomintang.

Thousands of people in Hong Kong took the streets on Sunday to oppose Beijing's proposed law after calls by pro-democracy activists to resume the protests of last year, which were disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The city police fired tear gas to disperse black-clad protesters who were seen chanting pro-democracy slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong,'' "Stand with Hong Kong" and "Revolution of our times."