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Explainer: how do countries around the world foster respect for their national anthem?
A look at the rules, protocols and punishment in light of Hong Kong’s looming law on the Chinese national anthem
Reading Time:4 minutes
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Stand up for China’s national anthem or you could be put behind bars.
That is the stance of Basic Law Committee chairman Li Fei, who was quoted as telling a delegation of Hong Kong lawyers visiting Beijing last week that horse gamblers who remain seated while the anthem plays at the racecourse would be deemed disrespectful.
Critics argued such an assessment would be excessively harsh while supporters claimed it would be reasonable to protect the dignity of the nation. At present, there is no law in Hong Kong about the national anthem. But with the National People’s Congress Standing Committee’s decision on Saturday to extend the national anthem law to Hong Kong through the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, local officials must draft legislation to protect the national symbol.
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China is not the first country to enact laws protecting its national anthem. Some Western powers have their own laws or rules on the matter, as do many Asian countries. In some cases, people can be punished for failing to show respect when the national anthem is played.
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Here is a look at how several countries treat the issue.
Do other countries have rules about how one should act when the national anthem is played?
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