Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Disrespecting China’s anthem can now cost 3 years jail
In this picture taken on October 10, 2017, a flag calling for "Hong Kong Independence" is displayed by local football fans during the playing of China's national anthem "March of the Volunteers" before a home match between Hong Kong and Malaysia. A new law that punishes disrespect for China's national anthem with up to three years' imprisonment may also apply to Hong Kong and Macau, state media reported on October 31, 2017.
Latest News, News
November 3, 2017

Disrespecting China’s anthem can now cost 3 years jail

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China has passed legislation to punish anyone who disrespects the national anthem with up to three years in prison, state media reported Saturday.

The changes to China’s criminal law were approved during a committee meeting of the country’s rubberstamp parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), according to the official Xinhua news agency.

“Serious cases of disrespecting the country’s national anthem in public would get punishments including deprivation of political rights, criminal detention, and imprisonment of up to three years,” it said.

China has been fine-tuning legislation on the proper way and place to sing its national anthem, recently tightening rules that already bar people from performing it at parties, weddings and funerals.

The country in September passed a National Anthem Law applying to mainland citizens, which specified a much lesser jail term of 15 days for disrespecting the song.

Xinhua said the three-year sentence could apply in “serious” cases concerning disrespect towards the anthem, but did not provide further details.

According to the National Anthem Law, “The March of the Volunteers” can no longer be played as background music in public places and “inappropriate” private performances of the song are also forbidden.

Separately on Saturday, Hong Kong’s government said that law will also apply in the semi-autonomous territory, once the authorities enact a local version of the legislation and get it passed through the legislature.

Hong Kong football fans have booed the anthem when it is played at matches for years, as concerns grow about the city’s liberties coming under threat.

Pro-Beijing politician Ip Kwok-him said, “when this law is passed, people must stand, there must be a display of solemnity.”

Ip, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, told a radio programme on Saturday that people in the city would have to stop when they heard the anthem even if they were walking.

“I’ve personally experienced this in Bangkok when walking on a pedestrian bridge, all of a sudden I heard a song, all the people on the bridge stopped. I had to stop too after I saw this,” he said.

Written in 1935 before the Communist Party took power and officially adopted in 1982, the buoyant, military-minded score calls on the Chinese people to “march on” toward the establishment of a new nation.

The September law follows regulations on national anthem etiquette that were announced in 2014 to “enhance the song’s role in cultivating core socialist values”.

An ideological push has intensified in China since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012. He has stressed a drive to infuse every aspect of Chinese education with “patriotic spirit” in a campaign to strengthen the party’s legitimacy — but which critics condemn as little more than brainwashing.

Before Xi, China had laws covering the use of its national flag and national emblem but none for its anthem, aside from a ban on its use in advertisements.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

FOREX: $161.27 to one US dollar
Latest News, News
FOREX: $161.27 to one US dollar
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Wednesday, July 16, ended trading at $161.27, up one cent, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s dai...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Ragga Jahmari relishing opportunity to build on career at Rastafest
Entertainment, Latest News
Ragga Jahmari relishing opportunity to build on career at Rastafest
July 16, 2025
Up-and-coming reggae artiste Ragga Jahmari, born Raheem Burrell, is hoping to launch his music career even further with his inclusion in this year’s s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
$668m approved for local film productions
Latest News, News
$668m approved for local film productions
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says $668 million has been approved for local film productions under the Jamaica Screen Development...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Caah Cool’ arrested after gun found at Grants Pen home
Latest News, News
‘Caah Cool’ arrested after gun found at Grants Pen home
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man who goes by the name “Caah Cool” has been arrested and charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised posse...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Flow plans exclusive experiences for customers at Reggae Sumfest
Latest News, News
Flow plans exclusive experiences for customers at Reggae Sumfest
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Telecommunications provider Flow Jamaica is turning up the volume at this weekend’s Reggae Sumfest as it rolls out its newly launc...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
JLP senator says record low 3.3% unemployment affirms good governance
Latest News, News
JLP senator says record low 3.3% unemployment affirms good governance
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Senator Marlon Morgan has praised the country’s new record-low unemployment rate of 3.3 per cent as cle...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
National Stadium redevelopment to be completed in 2029
Latest News, News
National Stadium redevelopment to be completed in 2029
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The National Stadium’s redevelopment work is set to be completed in 2029. The announcement was made on Wednesday at the Sports min...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Manufacturer lauds commuters for treatment of JUTC buses
Latest News, News
Manufacturer lauds commuters for treatment of JUTC buses
July 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) received enthusiastic commendation for their treatment of the bright yellow...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct