Unveiling of National Anthem Bill strengthens solidarity

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Hong Kong unveiled a proposed law on January 9 to punish anyone who disrespects the Chinese national anthem with up to three years in jail and fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (6,400 U.S. dollars). The bill will have its first reading in the city's parliament on January 23.

The penalties are the same as those in the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, which took effect in Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, when it returned to China.

China's national anthem law, which is designed to ensure proper respect for the country's national song, came into effect on the Chinese mainland in October 2017. It is now the subject of a bill in Hong Kong as legislators of the Special Administrative Region move to enact local laws to ensure its proper implementation.

Robert Koepp, director of the Economist Corporate Network based in Hong Kong, points out that there are some disagreements on the spirit of the national anthem law appearing among Hong Kong residents.

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Prof. John Gong of the University of International Business and Economics believes the bill will definitely be passed.

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Greater Bay Area

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was established with the aim of providing stronger support for an upgraded economy in China and closer connection between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. The metropolitan region includes the Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and another nine cities in south China's Guangdong Province.

Edward Lehman, managing director of law firm Lehman, Lee & Xu, says that with regards of labor, arbitration disputes and a whole bunch of other things, the Greater Bay Area is a better and quicker alternative.

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Prof. Gong also affirms roles of the Greater Bay Area and the unveiling of National Anthem Bill as a way of promoting connections between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland by saying that “today, Hong Kong is indeed becoming more and more Chinese, instead of British.”

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