"The requirements of Article 23 are already met by the other proposals in the Blue Bill and there appears to be no need to enact this additional power to proscribe and the extreme measures contained in the proposed appeal procedure."

“The Legislative Council now has a unique opportunity to re-draft and update the SAR's existing, antiquated laws. We urge the Legislative Council to replace these outdated statutes with national security laws which are specific, unambiguous, and do not inhibit the legitimate expression of free speech, assembly, a free press and the other liberties that characterize Hong Kong's way of life.”

On 2 May 2003, the US state Department issued a statement expressing "serious reservations" over Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong, in particularly the proscription mechanism, which HK government has chosen to keep despite worldwide condemnation. It is widely believed that this part directly targets Falun Gong.

"Amnesty International remains deeply concerned over much of the proposed legislation and is also disappointed by the handling of the public consultation process and the apparent desire by the HKSAR government to push this important piece of legislation into existence without according it appropriate attention and discussion...Amnesty International believes that unless the proposed legislation is revised and clarified, there remains the potential for widespread abuse and a dramatic reduction in the protection and promotion of the rights of Hong Kong citizens to exercise their fundamental rights of freedom of expression, information and association."

'The HK Journalist Association submitted its opinions on the Article 23 draft bill to the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 7 April 2003. It stated that "The administration clearly needs to go much further in protecting freedom of expression than it has done in the National Security Bill.'