Hong Kong legislature votes for law criminalising insult to China's national anthem

After a major disruption by pro-democracy lawmakers during legislative debate on a contentious bill, Hong Kong’s legislature voted for law criminalising insult to China’s national anm. National Anm Bill provides for a jail term of up to three years and/or fines of up to $6,450 if a person is found guilty of disrespecting China’s national anm. 

Months-long pro-democracy protests against increasing interference of Beijing in Hong Kong’s internal affairs has prompted China and local ministration to push bill. bill directs individuals and organisations to respect and dignify national anm and play it on “appropriate occasions”. 

It also orders schools to teach history and etiquette to students while singing anm. Chinese national anm “March of Volunteers” was booed by anti-government voices at several public events including football matches after Beijing proposed an extrition bill which triggered months-long protest in city, disrupting rmal lives and businesses.

bill has been approved by Council with 41 in favour and only one against it because pro-democracy faction refused to cast ir votes and disrupted voting by shouting slogans. China has become more assertive on interfering with Hong Kong’s status quo which critics call a violation of “one country, two systems” policy agreed under Si-British joint declaration before semi-automous region returned to Chinese rule. 

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Protests over national security law

residents have been separately protesting against a national security law that was presented by National People’s Congress (NPC) and later approved by China’s rubber-stamp parliament. Several countries including United States, Britain, Australia, and Cana have raised concerns over new legislation.

However, Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam has urged residents to wait for details of proposed legislation saying it would t affect city’s rights and freedoms. During a regular weekly press conference, Hong Kong leer said that re is need to worry about legislation, without elaborating on how higher degree of automy will be upheld.

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(Im: AP)