Hong Kong lawmakers urged to pass national anthem law as soon as possible

Controversial bill will receive its second reading in the legislature on May 27 and could be approved as early as June

But opposition camp warns city’s leader that public concerns over the law should be addressed, pointing to upheaval caused by extradition bill

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Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung says the government has a “constitutional responsibility” to enact the national anthem law as soon as possible. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:45pm, 12 May 2020Updated: 11:03pm, 12 May 2020

Hong Kong lawmakers should pass the proposed national anthem law “as soon as possible” when the legislature resumes the second reading of the bill on May 27, the government said on Tuesday.

The opposition camp admits it has little room left to further delay the bill’s passage after it lost control of the agenda-setting House Committee in the Legislative Council, but warned Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor she should draw lessons from the social upheaval caused by the now-withdrawn extradition bill and address the public’s concerns over the controversial law.

Critics say the law, which penalises anyone for misusing or insulting March of the Volunteers with a fine of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450) and three years in prison, will erode freedom of expression.

Some Hong Kong soccer fans boo the Chinese national anthem during an international friendly match between Hong Kong and Bahrain at the Mong Kok Stadium in 2017. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

In a letter to Starry Lee Wai-king, who wrested control of the committee during a tumultuous session on Friday but has yet to be officially elected as chairwoman, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung confirmed the proposed law would top the list of 10 government bills to be discussed on May 27.

“The national anthem is a symbol and sign of the nation. The national anthem law is to enact the law of the People’s Republic of China by local legislation,” Cheung said in the letter, adding the government had a “constitutional responsibility” to carry out the enactment as soon as possible.

Lee said she agreed with the resumption of the second reading of the listed bills.

Hong Kong lawmakers urged to pass national anthem law as soon as possible

Controversial bill will receive its second reading in the legislature on May 27 and could be approved as early as June But opposition camp warns city’s leader that public concerns over the law should be addressed, pointing to upheaval caused by extradition bill

Controversial bill will receive its second reading in the legislature on May 27 and could be approved as early as June

But opposition camp warns city’s leader that public concerns over the law should be addressed, pointing to upheaval caused by extradition bill