Explainer | Hong Kong’s national anthem law: when you can ignore the song, and when you have to stand
- If the song comes on the television at a restaurant, you can keep on eating
- But singing the tune in a mocking fashion at a big sporting event could land you three years in jail
While the government says most people will be unaffected by the law, critics argue its wording is vague and could have an effect on freedom of speech in Hong Kong. Here is an overview of what you need to know about the issue.
What is the national anthem law?
The law regulates how people should behave when March of the Volunteers is played. The song, with lyrics that rally a China at war with Japan, was introduced to the public in a 1935 film and was ratified as the national anthem in 2004. Under the law, a person who publicly and intentionally insults the anthem faces up to three years in jail or a maximum fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,450). People must stand solemnly and “deport themselves with dignity” when the song is played on certain occasions, and they should not behave in a disrespectful manner.
The law lays out nine“appropriate occasions” when the anthem must be played, including when the chief executive, lawmakers and judiciary officers take the oath of office.
Other occasions include flag-raising ceremonies, certain government receptions, major sporting events and the ceremonial opening of the legal year.
