Hong Kong's government works to push through a bill that would criminalize the abuse of the Chinese national anthem.
Hong Kong’s government will give “priority” to a contentious bill that seeks to criminalize abuse of the Chinese national anthem, the city’s leader said Tuesday, days after a pro-Beijing lawmaker wrested control over a key committee that vets bills.
The proposed law is aimed at ensuring that residents of Hong Kong, a semiautonomous Chinese territory, respect China’s national anthem. Under the bill, those who use the anthem for commercial purposes or publicly and intentionally insult the anthem, such as booing it during soccer games, could face fines of up to $6,450 and up to three years in prison.
The move comes as differences between the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps in Hong Kong were sharpened duringlast year that were sparked by an attempt to pass a bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China to face trials. That bill was eventually withdrawn. Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, said the chief secretary and other officials have written to pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee, who has inserted herself as chair of the Legislative Council’s House Committee — which scrutinizes bills and decides when they can be sent for a final vote — to consult with her on the resumption of second readings of bills.
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