Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said she had not seen widespread fears stemming from the new national security law . Whether this is the majority view is open to debate. Certainly, the past week has been eventful. The first test case is now before the city’s courts and the list of things that might be banned is seemingly getting longer. Meanwhile, new enforcement rules have been promulgated, while the new national security office has been set up. The uncertainties brought by the new regime have reinforced worries of Hong Kong sailing into unchartered waters. It is important that the new powers and sanctions be exercised with caution lest confidence in “one country, two systems” is compromised. Lam’s claims that the new rules only serve to limit police power and to protect human rights are too much political spin for the most credulous to believe. While some arrangements are extended from existing serious criminal offences, the chief executive and the police do gain new powers, some of which were previously vested with the courts . For instance, interception and covert surveillance for national security purposes can now be authorised by the chief executive. Police can raid premises without a court warrant and order internet firms to remove content or seize relevant devices. The government’s powers, Lam said, would have been “almost absolute” had she not followed Article 43 of the new law to map out enforcement rules in relation to seven areas covering searches, seizure, covert surveillance and provision of information. But this does not dilute the perception that government powers have been expanded. The power to authorise is mainly vested with the chief executive or senior police officers. In the absence of independent safeguards or scrutiny, it is difficult to tell whether abuse is involved. Mainland officials at the opening ceremony of the new national security office have pledged to follow the law and respect individual’s rights. With public trust so weak and with little known about the office’s operation, the remarks are to be welcomed. If the capacity of the hotel being used as the interim headquarters is any indication, the Office for Safeguarding National Security apparently has a sizeable establishment. The chief executive said the committee she chairs to defend national security would quickly establish a coordination mechanism with the new office, which also collects and analyses intelligence. It would be good if the cooperation becomes more transparent. The swift establishment of the new regime is the clearest indication of Beijing’s determination to plug what it sees as the city’s loopholes in national security. How the powers and sanctions will be applied shall have an impact on confidence in the implementation of one country, two systems.