Hong Kong Passes Law Banning Insults to China’s National Anthem
- Controversial motion has sparked anger as protests surge
- Comes as China plans to enact national security legislation
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Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed a controversial law banning residents from disrespecting China’s national anthem, a bill that had sparked physical confrontations between rival lawmakers.
Pro-democracy lawmakers and activists had opposed the law as part of a broader pushback against efforts by China and the city’s Beijing-backed administration to curtail dissent after a year of unprecedented protests. It will go into effect in the city on June 12, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said.