Defaming the 'Uiyonggun March'
Can Result in Up to 3 Years Imprisonment
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The 'National Anthem Law' punishing acts of desecration of China's national anthem, 'March of the Volunteers,' has been passed by the Hong Kong legislature.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and others on the 4th, the Hong Kong Legislative Council held a meeting that day to conduct the third review of the draft National Anthem Law and passed it with 41 votes in favor and 1 against.
This bill prohibits the use of the Chinese national anthem at funerals, as background music in public places, or in commercial advertisements. Changing the lyrics for satire or mockery is also not allowed. The act of placing a hand over the chest when the anthem is played is forbidden as well. This is an American-style salute, whereas the Chinese style requires standing at attention to show respect.
The Hong Kong Secretary for Education must issue guidelines related to the Chinese national anthem to each school to ensure students comply. Violating these provisions can result in a maximum imprisonment of 3 years or a fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 7.85 million KRW).
China's promotion of the National Anthem Law following the 'Hong Kong National Security Law' is interpreted as an effort to eradicate the roots of anti-China protests such as those against the 'Fugitive Offenders Ordinance' (extradition bill) last year. Hong Kong's opposition parties strongly opposed the law, stating that "the provisions of the National Anthem Law contain ambiguous content that could be politically exploited."
At around 1 p.m. that day, during the Legislative Council's review of the National Anthem Law, two opposition lawmakers, Eddie Chu and Raymond Chan, suddenly stood up from their seats and threw foul-smelling brown liquid contained in plastic containers into the meeting room. The liquid was known to be organic fertilizer. After the throwing of the filth, the meeting was suspended, and lawmakers Chu and Chan were dragged out of the meeting room by security guards.
Lawmaker Chu explained that the act of throwing filth was a protest against the National Anthem Law and a reminder not to forget the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen protests. He said, "We must never forgive the Communist Party that killed people 31 years ago and hold them accountable. Such a shameful regime is bound to stink forever."
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