The government has made note of the activities, events, and occasions during which displaying the national flag of the People’s Republic of China may be considered “improper.”
The list of circumstances is contained within the final opinion of the first standing committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL), which analyzed the national symbols law in depth prior to the bill moving to the final reading.
In the committee’s opinion and as reiterated by the government’s clarification, the national flag should not be abused.
“In the government’s opinion, it is not appropriate to use the national symbol while having meals at restaurants or when participating in ball games [and related] activities, but it is appropriate in activities that commemorate the country,” the final opinion reads. The final opinion is broadly concerned with the use of the national flag on celebratory occasions and to express patriotic feelings.
The new amendments to the existing law mostly aim to enforce the changes already enacted and enforced in the mainland on the use of the national anthem and flag, and regulate its display and presentation in Macau.
The revision in the mainland stipulates that the flag will be hoisted on a mandatory basis daily at schools and other academic institutions, as well as at all government and public services and cultural venues.
The new amendments also grant the Public Security Police Force and the Customs Service the power to inspect all situations where the national flag is displayed in public so they can supervise and act in situations where the national flag is hoisted upside-down or thrown away disrespectfully.
Prior incidences of the national flag being hoisted upside-down occurred at venues under the responsibility of the same police forces that will now be in charge of its supervision.
The final version of the bill has already been submitted to the plenary, where it will likely receive final approval within the upcoming week.
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