China News Agency, Hong Kong, June 11th-Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lin Zhengyue, signed the National Anthem Regulations passed by the Legislative Council of the Special Administrative Region on the 11th in accordance with Article 48, paragraph 3 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Hong Kong Basic Law) ". The "National Anthem Regulations" will be published in the Gazette on June 12, and will come into effect immediately thereafter.
According to the news from the Information Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Lin Zhengyue said that the national anthem, like the national flag and the national emblem, is a symbol and symbol of the country. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inseparable part of the country. Legislation to safeguard the dignity of the national anthem is what the SAR should have.
Lin Zhengyue said that he was very pleased that the "National Anthem Regulations" was officially gazetted on June 12, which marked the SAR's fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities and also reflected the spirit of "one country, two systems".
The National Anthem Regulations provide provisions for singing, protecting and promoting the national anthem, so as to maintain the dignity of the country, enhance citizens’ national concepts, and promote the patriotic spirit. The crimes stipulated in the "National Anthem Regulations" only involve the improper use of the national anthem, or the act of publicly, intentionally, and insulting the national anthem.
Lin Zhengyue also expressed the hope that Hong Kong people consciously respect the national anthem, so the promotion of the national anthem is of paramount importance. In order to let the next generation understand the history and spirit of the national anthem, and observe the etiquette of the national anthem, the Education Bureau of the SAR Government will update the learning and teaching resources and issue instructions to schools in the form of announcements to support schools in teaching students.
The Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People’s Congress passed the National Anthem Law of the People’s Republic of China (National Anthem Law) on September 1, 2017, and included the National Anthem Law in Annex III of the Hong Kong Basic Law on November 4, the same year .
According to Article 18 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, all national laws listed in Annex III of the Hong Kong Basic Law shall be promulgated locally by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or implemented by legislation. Taking into account the common law legal system of Hong Kong and the actual situation in Hong Kong, the SAR Government decided to implement the National Anthem Law in Hong Kong in the form of local legislation.
The National Anthem Bill was submitted to the first and second readings of the Legislative Council of the SAR in January 2019, and passed the third reading of the Legislative Council of the SAR on June 4 this year. (Finish)