Macau might include anthem education in schools

China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee yesterday continued its review of the draft laws on the national anthem, suggesting the inclusion of the national anthem in the textbooks of both primary and middle schools, according to Xinhua.

Previously, Sonia Chan, the Secretary for Administration and Justice said that “it is mandatory” for Macau to implement China’s national anthem laws.

“I think that if a national anthem law is proposed in the future, then it is mandatory that it be implemented in Macau as a national law,” said Chan.

Last year, the local government also announced that it had reached a consensus with mainland authorities to produce standardized textbooks, particularly for the study of history.

The NPC further suggested yesterday that the anthem should be regarded as important content by primary and middle schools within the curriculum of patriotic education.

Moreover, it says schools should organize students to sing the anthem, as well as teach them to understand the history and spiritual connotation of it.

Earlier, Qiao Xiaoyang, a member of the Standing Committee of the NPC, also pointed out that the anthem law will be listed in Annex III of the Basic Law in both Hong Kong and Macau.

Qiao said that, in Hong Kong and Macau, any legal articles which can reflect the state sovereignty, and any territorial integrity, national flag, national symbol, and national diplomacy which reflect one country, should all be included in the Basic Laws’ annex.

According to Sonia Chan and to Qiao Xiaoyang’s previous response, the national anthem should also be featured in Macau’s primary and middle school textbooks in case the anthem law is eventually established in Mainland China.

The latest draft suggests a maximum of 15 days of detention, or a warning issued by the police authority, if anybody changes the anthem’s lyrics or dishonors it while it is playing or being sung.

The draft made it clear that the anthem should not be used in commercials. The draft also bans using the anthem in private funerals or on other occasions deemed unsuitable by authorities.

People attending events where the anthem is being played or sung should behave solemnly and must not display any behavior that disrespects the anthem. (More on p11) JZ