Anyone who desecrates the flags and emblems of China and the Special Administrative Region (SAR) could be jailed for three years and fined $50,000, according to the bills from the Chief Executive-designate's office.
The proposal is to be tabled to the provisional legislature for scrutiny today. Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, Tung Chee-hwa's office director, will put the motion.
According to the bill, a person would be punished for 'publicly and wilfully burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling on' the national and SAR flags and emblems. The maximum penalty is $50,000 and three years' imprisonment.
A fine of between $5,000 and $50,000 would be imposed on those who use the flags and emblems in an improper manner. The bills prohibit using national flags in trademarks or advertisements, other occasions listed 'under a stipulation made by the Chief Executive', or private funeral activities.
The use of the SAR flags and emblems are subject to the same restrictions except the last one. In addition, the national emblems would be banned from use in trademarks or advertisements; furnishing or ornaments; private activities or condolences; or other occasions prohibited by the Chief Executive.
At present, the use of the royal arms and armorial bearings in Hong Kong are governed by the Colony Armorial Bearings (Protection) law. It says the use of similar designs leading to the belief that they are Armorial Bearings would be liable to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment of three months.