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Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 22:31
2nd reading of national anthem bill to resume May 27
By Kathy Zhang
Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 22:31 By Kathy Zhang

HONG KONG - The government will resume the second reading of the National Anthem Bill at the Legislative Council in May 27, a spokesperson for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said on Tuesday.

According to the proposed bill, anyone who publicly and intentionally insult the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers, may face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and three years in prison

In a written reply to the media inquiry, the government spokesperson said Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, newly-appointed Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, on Tuesday has notified the Legco Secretariat of the intention to move the bill for second reading debate.

READ MORE: CE expects national anthem bill to get priority at LegCo

The government has decided to enact the law through local legislation in the spirit of “one country, two systems”, the spokesperson said. 

The enactment of the National Anthem Law is a constitutional duty of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, the spokesperson added, while refuting opposition lawmakers’ allegation that the law is “draconian” and a “restriction of freedom of speech”. 

It would not constitute an offense to express one's opinion as long as they are not intended as an insult to the national anthem, the spokesperson reiterated.

ALSO READ: National Anthem Bill enters key legislative process in HK

The legislative principle of the National Anthem Bill is to preserve the dignity of and promote the respect for the national anthem, while,  at the same time, give due regard to the common law system practiced in Hong Kong, as well as the actual circumstances in Hong Kong, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said the government hopes the bill would pass by LegCo as soon as possible. The bill must go through three readings in the LegCo Council meeting before becoming law. 

According to the proposed bill, anyone who publicly and intentionally insult the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers, may face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and three years in prison.

kathyzhang@chinadailyhk.com




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