Mainland blogger Jinghaihou recently hit out at what he said was a worrying practice of the national security law being exercised too excessively in the SAR. Local state-owned newspaper Ta Kung Pao was fast to strike back at the claim.

In the latest twist, Jinghaihou sought to step back with a new post on WeChat, clarifying that he was not trying to criticize the SAR government or police, emphasizing that no one was allowed to let their guard down in the face of so-called "soft resistance."

Could the blogger be trying to cool the heat that the criticism has caused within the SAR establishment?

Nonetheless, the response given to Jinghaihou's sensitive post may reflect the opinions of at least some within the local ruling class.

For example, CPPCC member Cheung Chi-kong has repeatedly pointed out since the first post by the blogger that the greatest values of Hong Kong are its internationalization and professionalism, as well as an apolitical mass.

The term "soft resistance" is probably the most recent and trendy entry in the SAR's political dictionary, with some political opinions trying to draw an equal sign between "soft resistance" and a lack of active cooperation with the authority.

Pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions president Stanley Ng Chau-pei has also questioned whether it would be oversimplified to use the national security law too readily.

So, who - or what - is Jinghaihou?

It is a WeChat blogger account commenting mostly on Hong Kong issues. Its articles have been cited and carried by state-owned media in the past.

In December last year, Ta Kung Pao devoted a half-page to one of Jinghaihou's lengthy articles on Hong Kong.

No explanation has been given as to why its articles have received such privileged treatment from some state-owned media.

The title "Jinghaihou" is also rather political, literally meaning "Duke, the Sea Conqueror." It was created in reference to Taiwan during the Qing dynasty.

The blog post that sparked so much speculation called for an easing in the political crackdown in Hong Kong and - unexpectedly or not - was allowed to remain online.

The blogger argued that Hong Kong is losing its unique characteristics under the excessive application of the national security law and there were fears that the city had lost its attraction while being marginalized internationally.

The post also cited recent removal of books from public libraries, including works by prominent Chinese author Lu Xun.

The blogger said that since the national security law was implemented, a small number of people - including officials and lawmakers - have been overdoing policies and demonstrating a tendency to err on the side of the left rather than the right, with little regard to the consequences.

Ta Kung Pao hit back at Jinghaihou's accusation, declaring no conflict between a crackdown on soft resistance and consolidating Hong Kong's edges. The newspaper also questioned if others wanted to exercise the national security law less and clamp down on soft resistance less.

Jinghaihou's clarification shows the political low pressure will continue in the SAR.

'Soft resistance' blog stirs things up