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Explainer: what will China’s national anthem law mean for Hong Kong?
Beijing wants to regulate use of the national anthem, with strict penalties for those disrespecting the song
Reading Time:6 minutes
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Hong Kong made headlines after hundreds of its soccer fans booed during the Chinese national anthem ahead of a World Cup qualifier between the city’s representative team and China in 2015.
Back then, the local soccer governing body was fined by international football authorities over the jeering. But such acts could soon become punishable by law in Hong Kong under proposed national anthem legislation currently making its way through the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.
Beijing has made known its intention to have the law applied to Hong Kong as well as the mainland, arguing it would help foster social values and promote patriotism. But Hong Kong’s opposition pro-democracy politicians expressed concerns that the law would be too wide in scope and vague enough to hamper freedom of expression and creativity. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has urged Hongkongers not to be overly sensitive and politicise the issue. The proposed law also comes against a backdrop of growing separatist sentiment in Hong Kong.
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1. What is the national anthem law about?
A draft of the national anthem law, first proposed in June, had its second reading by the NPC Standing Committee, the executive body of the national legislature, on Monday.
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The proposed law has sparked controversy over the harsh sanctions it would impose for any malicious revisions to the lyrics or derogatory performances of China’s national anthem, March of the Volunteers.
According to Chinese state media, such transgressions would be punishable by up to 15 days in detention.
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