[5][better source needed] According to the Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, drafting began in 2004, taking into account examples from Portugal and Italy.

This caused some disquiet and concern among pro-democrats, who fear that this new law could limit Macao citizens' freedom of expression and protest, and that it is intended to serve as an example for its rebellious counterpart, Hong Kong.

[8] Edmund Ho, Chief Executive of Macau, said in a press conference that the bill targets "serious criminal behavior" and will not limit protests or criticism of Beijing.

[9] The Hong Kong government on 22 October responded with having no plan to embark on the legislation, adding its most pressing commitments are economic and livelihood issues.

[9] This meant that no modification to Macau's NSL was made at the moment, making it, in the view of the Central Government, "a posterchild of the one country, two systems" policy,[12] and "an example for Taiwan".