Hong Kong Moves to Criminalize Disrespect of China’s National Anthem
Opposition groups worry legislation is another sign of tightened civil liberties in the semiautonomous city
HONG KONG—Government officials plan to propose a law that would make disrespecting China’s national anthem a crime, raising concern within opposition ranks that it would further narrow freedoms in the semiautonomous Chinese city.
The bill, which will be introduced in the city’s pro-Beijing legislature Jan. 23 for passage by the summer, is modeled on a similar law in mainland China. Aside from providing guidance on etiquette when the national anthem is played, it also stipulates that primary and high school children—including...