More than 200 lawmakers from 23 countries issued joint statements condemning China for proposing a Hong Kong security bill.

In a joint statement released today, parliamentarians expressed deep concern about Beijing's "unilateral proposal of a security law" in Hong Kong.

Signed participants in the joint statement included Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, former British foreign minister Malcolm Rifkind, US senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Marco Rubio, 12 US senators,

"The harsh rules will only escalate the situation, making it difficult for Hong Kong's future as an international city of China," the statement said.

Speaking on a radio show on May 24, Elsie Leung Oi-sie, vice chairman of Hong Kong's Basic Law Commission, dismissed criticism.

"If the security law helps improve the legal system, why does it weaken the rule of law," she asked, reaffirming that people's freedom will not be affected by the new law targeting only one.

Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Hanzheng also stressed that the security law only targets "a small group of people" in order to close a legal gap exposed after the protests in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong security bill was submitted to the Chinese parliament on May 22, which banned separatist activities and subversion, as well as foreign intervention and terrorism in the city.

Some Hong Kong MPs criticized the bill, saying it went against the "one-state, two-regime" model, under which Beijing pledged to uphold the city 's freedoms.

Beijing asserted that this bill actually reinforced the principle of "one country, two regimes", serving interests and supporting Hong Kong's development.

Thousands of Hong Kong people today protested to protest the security bill in the bustling districts of Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, shouting slogans against the government.