Hong Kong authorities on Friday unveiled planned legislation requiring students to be taught China’s national anthem and punishing anyone who insults it with up to three years in prison. Hong Kong’s government is acting after Beijing last year enacted a new National Anthem Law and amended China’s criminal code so that anyone disrespecting the anthem can be imprisoned. China’s legislature also added it to Hong Kong’s Basic Law constitution, requiring the city to introduce local legislation. The proposed law adds to concerns that Beijing is eroding civil liberties in Hong Kong despite promises to maintain them following its 1997 handover from Britain. Pro-democracy activists and lawmakers worry the law will be used to undermine free speech in Hong Kong, which has a separate legal system.

Source: National Post March 16, 2018 07:53 UTC