WHAT THE NEW LAW DOES...
IT PROTECTS minority groups in these ways:
Hiring decisions or access to services and private clubs can no longer be made on the basis of race.
Schools cannot discriminate against students on the basis of race when deciding on admissions.
It is illegal to discriminate against a person's race in determining his eligibility to vote.
...and what it does not do - yet
It does not deter decisions based on nationality or residency status.
It is unclear how much protection it gives mainland Chinese residents, who suffer disdain from locals.
It is unclear whether the government is exempt from civil litigation if it practises racial discrimination in its hiring; the police force and immigration department will be exempt from prosecution.
It does not address the issue of language discrimination faced by ethnic minorities who do not speak Cantonese or read Chinese.
SOURCES: WALL STREET JOURNAL, REUTERS