China lawmaker wants ban on ‘American’ gesture during national anthem

A lawmaker has sparked a heated debate online in China after he suggested that people should stop putting their hand on the heart while singing the national anthem because it was too “American”.

Chen Guoling, a member of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, said Chinese citizens should refrain from the gesture when singing the March of the Volunteers because it was an American way of showing respect, The Beijing News reported.

Chen’s comments came as the national legislature is drafting legislation to protect the national anthem against “abuses”.

The proposed legislation includes barring the playing of the anthem during advertisements or as background music in public places.

Chen was quoted as saying placing a hand on the heart comes from the US flag code, but young people in China, especially athletes, follow it blindly.

Chen said Chinese citizens should drop the gesture and respect Chinese law and etiquette instead.