Gov’t concludes revision to national anthem law

The SAR government announced on Friday that it had finished its revision of the National Flag bill, and the National Emblem and National Anthem bill, which aims to prohibit the use of the anthem for commercial purposes.

According to the Chief Executive (CE) Spokesperson Office, some of the proposed changes to the regulations are on the conducting procedures of the national anthem, which include the need for it to be played exactly as it is written on the official musical sheet.

The proposal described appropriate conduct for when the national anthem is being played, requiring people to “stand respectfully and behave with composure.”

While the national anthem is playing, performing disrespectful acts is prohibited, some of which will be considered crimes and administrative offenses.

According to the spokesperson, “the intentional act of changing the lyrics or sheet music of the national anthem in public occasions and places, or performing distorted or deprecating instrumental or vocal versions of the anthem” would constitute a criminal offense.

Other disrespectful acts during the singing of the national anthem can lead to a fine between MOP5,000 to MOP50,000, similar to possible administrative infractions when disrespecting the Chinese flag.

The Central Government had already implemented China’s National Anthem Law back in November 2017, announcing that it would implement the newly-adopted law in Hong Kong and Macau.

The proposed law prohibits the use the national anthem for commercial purposes and other inappropriate uses.

Sentences can range from 360-day fines to three years imprisonment.

Furthermore, the proposal suggested that the local state broadcaster should broadcast both the national anthem and the ceremony during the city’s important occasions, particularly during the inauguration of a new Chief Executive or Legislative Assembly president.