The National People's Congress, China's top legislature, has recently revealed its 2017 work plan, including a review of China's first-ever draft 'National Anthem Law'.
The draft legislation, regularizing the playing and singing of the anthem, would aim to ensure people's respect for the anthem. Similar laws currently exist regarding the national flag and emblem.
The review process will take place in June.
Students raising the national flag while playing the national anthem/VCG Photo
Before the new legislation, there were various overlapping laws and regulations that covered the playing and singing of the anthem, but no single piece of overarching legislation.
This meant that in real life there was no standard use of the national anthem in existence.
The "March of the Volunteers" is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. Its lyrics were composed by the poet and playwright Tian Han in 1934 and set to music by Nie Er the next year.
