Explainer | First draft of Hong Kong domestic security law will be unveiled soon, here’s a look at a list of fears and concerns

The exact timing of the submission of a full draft remained unclear, but authorities on Wednesday presented a summary of the comments received in the consultation to a joint panel of the Legislative Council and pointed to new areas to be considered. The panel will gather again on Thursday for the second of two specially convened meetings.

The government issued a 110-page document on January 30 setting out what the legislation could look like. After the consultation period ended, it concluded that its proposal had received majority support from society while several foreign countries expressed concerns over the possible erosion of residents’ rights and freedoms.

The legislation, previously shelved by the government two decades ago after half a million took to the streets against it, drew largely muted attention locally this time amid a changed political landscape of “patriots ruling” Hong Kong. Under this principle, only those who are deemed “patriots” can be lawmakers shaping government policy or district councillors overseeing local governance.

The Post sets out what the document says will be done and lists key concerns raised by different players, ahead of the launch of the official bill. Let’s start at the beginning:

1. What is Article 23?

Basic Law Article 23 requires the city to enact its own laws to ban any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the central government, or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organisations from conducting political activities in the city, and to prohibit local political groups from establishing ties with their foreign counterparts.