Hong Kong must strengthen laws against disrespecting Chinese flag as Beijing does the same, National People’s Congress politicians in the city say
- China’s top legislative body proposes banning displaying the national flag upside down or other forms of degradation, according to Tam Yiu-chung
- The city’s sole representative to the apex of the legislature says Hong Kong will be required to follow suit
Hong Kong will be required to strengthen its existing laws against disrespecting the Chinese flag as Beijing is set to widen the scope of its own national legislation covering the offence, according to two senior pro-establishment politicians.
Tam Yiu-chung, the city’s sole representative to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), revealed on Sunday that China’s top legislative body had discussed draft amendments to the National Flag and National Emblem Law at its four-day meeting that started over the weekend.
“While such acts have already been covered by the current Hong Kong ordinance, the scope of the regulation has been widened [under the proposed amendments to the national law].”
According to Tam, displaying the national flag upside down or diminishing its dignity in other ways would be banned under Beijing’s amendments, while members of the public would also be prohibited from discarding the flags casually after attending public events and be required to salute to the flag.
People and organisations using the flag online would also be required to follow the regulation, said Brave Chan Yung, a deputy to the National People’s Congress who also observed the meeting.
