A provisional legislator demanded to know why schools were not required to fly the national flag.
Speaking outside the chamber, Yeung Yiu-chung of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong expressed dissatisfaction with the administrative guidelines on displaying the national flag.
'It's weird for government schools to have to apply for permission to fly the national flag,' he said. 'It's more appropriate for schools which don't fly the national flag to apply for exemption.' Schools have to seek approval from Director of Administration Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai for flying the national flag at government buildings and offices other than those specified in the administrative guidelines issued in July.
Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Michael Suen Ming-yeung said: 'The Director of Administration will consider the applications on a case-by-case basis.' He said the Government would take into account factors such as the usage of the building and the location to ensure that the venue for displaying the flag was appropriate.
'Given that the present arrangements have been practised for some time, [the] Director of Administration will summarise our experience and review the arrangements with a view to making appropriate adjustments where necessary,' Mr Suen said.
He said that requirements in the guidelines followed the principles of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Flag, but had been adapted to take into account the specific circumstances of Hong Kong.
