The national anthem law, which criminalises insulting March of the Volunteers, was approved by China’s legislative body in 2017. Violators in China face detention of up to 15 days by police, or criminal prosecution. It is also set to be rolled out in Hong Kong.
LATEST NEWS & VIEWS
Olympic celebration sees Hong Kong police make first arrest under controversial national anthem law
A man has been detained by Hong Kong police for allegedly insulting the Chinese national anthem – the first arrest of its kind in the city. Police said the 40-year-old waved a British colonial Hong Kong flag while urging others to “boo” the Chinese anthem – March of the Volunteers – as well as chant…
Hong Kong police investigate Olympic chants, China anthem booing
Hong Kong police on Friday said they had launched an investigation into Olympic Games fans who booed China’s national anthem and drowned it out with chanting during a public screening at a mall. The Chinese international finance hub has had its best Games on record with Edgar Cheung winning gold in fencing and Siobhan Haughey…
COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS
Hong Kong’s 50-year curse takes effect early… but this is just the beginning
In the 1980s, Hong Kong – often described as a borrowed city on borrowed time – was put on a 50-year countdown by China and the UK. As soon as the curse was placed, a mass exodus took place, with few trusting the Communist Party’s poor track record. But, as two decades passed, the curse…
Progress and radical hope: reflecting on a year of Hong Kong’s anti-authoritarian struggle
June 12 this year marks the one-year anniversary of Hong Kong’s anti-extradition law movement. A year ago that day, thousands of protesters surrounded the Legislative Council Complex to oppose the extradition bill. Later that evening, a group of young activists stormed the building. They were met with rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray. Since…