The Hong Kong National Anthem Ordinance (NAO) has been published in the Gazette and comes into effect on June 12, 2020.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress added the Law of the People’s Republic of China on National Anthem (National Anthem Law) to Annex III to the Basic Law on November 4, 2017. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility to implement the National Anthem Law locally in accordance with Article 18 of the Basic Law.
A Government spokesman said, “The core legislative principle of the National Anthem Ordinance NAO is to promote respect for the national anthem, which is the symbol and sign of the country, and provide guidance on the standard, etiquette, and occasions for playing and singing of the national anthem. The National Anthem Ordinance NAO prohibits and imposes penalties to the misuse of the national anthem or the lyrics or score of the national anthem, and public and intentional acts with an intent to insult the national anthem. There is no cause for concern of breaching the law inadvertently if one does not misuse the national anthem or the lyrics or score of the national anthem, nor has any public and intentional act with an intent to insult the Hong Kong Anthem.”
The spokesman also said, “The HKSAR Government will strengthen the publicity and educational efforts of the national anthem, and has set up a dedicated webpage (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/national_anthem.htm) to inform the public about the content of the National Anthem Ordinance NAO and provide the standard scores and official recordings of the national anthem for occasions on which the national anthem of Hong Kong must be played and sung. The Government will also launch promotional videos on social media platforms, government websites and electronic media. Apart from the above, the Education Bureau will update its learning and teaching materials to educate students on the history and spirit of the national anthem and the etiquette for playing and singing the national anthem.”
For more information:
https://www.cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/national_anthem_introduction.htm
About:
The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) is responsible for overseeing the full and faithful implementation of the Basic Law. We develop and maintain a constructive working relationship between the HKSAR Government and the Central People’s Government as well as other Mainland authorities in accordance with the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy.
We welcome your comments and suggestions or any other issues which are relevant to our areas of responsibilities. We can be contacted :
- by e-mail to cmabenq@cmab.gov.hk
(please be reminded that your e-mails sent through internet are vulnerable to third-party interception.)
- in writing –
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
12/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices,
2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar,
Hong Kong
- By phone at 852-2810-2059
Reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202006/12/P2020061200855.htm
Media Contact
Company Name: Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) HKSAR
Contact Person: Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Email: Send Email
Phone: 852-2810-2059
Address:12/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar
State: Hong Kong
Country: HongKong
Website: cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/national_anthem_introduction.htm