Mainland China restricts singing national anthem to 'proper events'
People must stop performing the song at weddings, funerals, new rule says
The government has banned performances of the national anthem at weddings, funerals and other non-political events, a move in line with President Xi Jinping's call to strengthen patriotic education, analysts say.
The top office of the Communist Party and the State Council issued the rule on Friday, saying the national anthem should only be performed at certain dignified functions, such as diplomatic occasions and international sporting events, Xinhua reported.
"[The rule] is to standardise proper etiquette for the national anthem, which reflects national independence and liberation, a prosperous, strong country and the affluence of the people," Xinhua said.
State media reports said the anthem could be performed when Chinese athletes won meddles and "at arenas where national dignity should be fought for and safeguarded". Those who broke the rules would be "criticised and corrected".
Chen Daoyin, an associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said the move reflected Xi's push to improve patriotism by redressing "bad practices" in society.
"Xi always stresses that there is a need to standardise patriotic and nationalist education. It's a fact that many Chinese do not know when or where the national anthem should be - or shouldn't be - performed," he said. "In many rural areas on the mainland, it's quite popular that people perform the national anthem at weddings, funerals and celebrations because they are familiar with the composition."