Penalties for poor Mandarin and not standing while eating wonton noodles? Hong Kong legal experts anticipate how anthem law might work

Public concerns over enforcement of the law include whether those with poor Mandarin will be charged for not singing anthem properly and if diners have to stand when it is played on TV in restaurants

Reading Time:5 minutes

The new anthem law is seen as targeting Hong Kong soccer fans, who routinely boo March of the Volunteers when it is played before matches. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 5:00pm, 6 Nov 2017Updated: 8:25pm, 6 Nov 2017

China’s top legislative body on Saturday imposed a national anthem law on Hong Kong in a bid to curb acts that “challenge the bottom line” of the “one country, two systems” model of governance.

The law – which was approved by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee in September and came into effect on the mainland at the start of October – was added to Annexe III of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

The committee also endorsed stiffer penalties for flouting the national anthem law, from 15 days in “administrative detention” to up to three years in prison for disrespecting the March of the Volunteers.

In a statement on Saturday, the Hong Kong government said it would adopt the law through the “appropriate local legislation”, to comply with the city’s constitutional and common law frameworks.

National anthem law won’t cover all scenarios, Hong Kong justice chief says

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said the government would draft the local version of the National Anthem Law and table it at the Legislative Council as soon as possible, as a way to listen to public views.

There have been many questions on how the law would be enforced without undermining freedom of expression and what kind of situations would be seen as running foul of the law.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x