China News Service, Hong Kong, October 8th. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on the 8th that the National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Ordinance (Ordinance) was officially gazetted on the same day, including the new Labor Day, Lunar New Year’s Day and National Constitution Day display National flag and regional flag.
A spokesperson for the SAR government stated that the fundamental principle and spirit of this amendment to the law is respect, respect for the country, respect for the national flag and national emblem as national symbols and emblems, and clear regulations on the use, etiquette, education and promotion of the national flag and national emblem.
Regarding those who intend to insult the national flag or the national emblem, openly and deliberately commit acts of insulting the national flag or the national emblem, the regulations retain and clarify relevant penalties and penalties to punish and deter.
The Chief Executive has revised the regulations on the display and use of the national flag, national emblem, regional flag, and regional emblem in accordance with the relevant provisions of the ordinance, and announced them in the Gazette on the same day.
The amendments include the addition of 3 new designated days for displaying the national flag and regional flag, including Labor Day (May 1), Lunar New Year's Day and National Constitution Day (December 4), as well as regulations on the withdrawal and disposal of the national flag and national emblem.
The Education Bureau of the Special Administrative Region Government will issue notices to designated schools in accordance with the relevant provisions of the ordinance to provide updated guidelines on the inclusion of the national flag and the national emblem in primary and secondary education, as well as the daily national flag-raising and weekly national flag-raising ceremonies.
A spokesperson for the SAR government stated that the SAR government will implement various public propaganda work on the national flag and national emblem to enhance citizens' national concepts and national identity.
As long as the public does not improperly use the national flag or national emblem, or engage in public, deliberate and intentional acts of insulting the national flag or national emblem, there is no need to worry about falling into the law net by mistake.
In response to the draft amendments to the National Flag Law of the People’s Republic of China and the National Emblem Law of the People’s Republic of China passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on October 17, 2020, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has completed the local implementation of the above two in accordance with Article 18 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. The constitutional responsibility of the revised national law.
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