China News Agency, Hong Kong, June 4 (Reporter Zeng Ping) The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passed the National Anthem Bill for third reading on the 4th.

  The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region continued its deliberations on the National Anthem Bill at 9 a.m. at about 11.45 to complete the deliberation of the whole committee and entered the third reading process, and voted at about 16.50. The Chairman of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Liang Junyan, announced that the National Anthem Bill was passed.

  The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zeng Guowei, said before the draft vote that the spirit of the National Anthem Bill emphasizes respect for the national anthem as a symbol and symbol of the country. It is meaningful to talk about "two systems" only if you respect the country. I believe that without forgetting the original intention of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong can overcome any challenge.

  The Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People’s Congress decided in November 2017 to include the National Anthem Law of the People’s Republic of China in Annex III of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. According to Article 18 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, all national laws listed in Annex III of the Basic Law of Hong Kong are promulgated locally by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or implemented by legislation.

  The Hong Kong SAR Government proposed and promoted the legislation of the national anthem law in early 2018. After a long period of deliberation and consultation, the Hong Kong SAR Government submitted the National Anthem Bill to the SAR Legislative Council in January 2019 to start the local legislative process of the National Anthem Law.

  After more than 50 hours of in-depth discussions at 17 meetings, the Hong Kong SAR Legislative Council Committee on the National Anthem Bill completed its deliberations in May 2019. The National Anthem Bill was originally scheduled for resumption of second reading in the middle of last year, but was delayed due to the "revisions" and the suspension of the House Committee of the Legislative Council. It resumed second reading until May 27 this year. (Finish)