The roots of the common law run deep in Hong Kong and will not be easily uprooted, so I think China can only ultimately take a gradual approach, despite the rhetoric, those values are entrenched through the system.

Simon Young

It sounds like they are being responsible. To do nothing when it's being used for a specific purpose that actually facilitates these protests, to do nothing would be rather irresponsible.

Of course, it's vague but it is clear that after 50 years mainland policy can change. They don't have to change but they can change, they would no longer be beholden by Article 5 and the Joint Declaration.

This has been largely overlooked in the public debate but it is really a significant part of the proposed amendments, it may not have been overlooked, of course, by the tycoons and those giving them legal advice.

The flaw ... is getting countries to buy something they have not thought they needed to buy in the past.

The first batch of( security law) cases to proceed to the courts will be seen by all as test cases to see the true width and limits of the law, my prediction is that there will not be any direct interference from( Beijing) to influence or change the results of these cases.