(this is based on my reading from various WSJ articles). The short version is that Hong Kong was setup as a territory with its own government and justice arms

(this is based on my reading from various WSJ articles). The short version is that Hong Kong was setup as a territory with its own government and justice arms (separate from mainland China). The proposed law would effectively make it so anyone that steps foot in Hong Kong would be subject to mainland China laws. There are restrictions in the bill, saying that the crime must have a sentence >= 7 years, and there must be a similar law on the books in Hong Kong. But the people fear it will be used to further extend China's influence into Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been doing more bidding of mainland China over the last few years (after the failed 2014 call for democracy). For example, back in October, they deported a reporter for a meeting they didn't agree with[0]. [0] https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kong-ousts-journalist-who-hosted-separatist-speaker-1538735142?mod=article_inline https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kong-ousts-journalist-who-...