This photo dated Nov 12, 2020 shows a corner inside the Legislative Council building, Hong Kong. (CALVIN NG/CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong's legislature passed amendments to the national flag and national emblem bill on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Amended national flag, emblem bill introduced to LegCo
The National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Bill 2021 was approved in its third reading by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It was introduced to the LegCo on Aug 18 for first and second readings.
According to the amended bill, the Secretary for Education of the HKSAR government has the responsibility to promote national flag and national emblem education
The amended bill lists the illegal acts of insulting the national flag and national emblem, including burning, damaging, and scribbling. Relevant acts done online such as publishing the image of a disgraced national flag on the internet are also illegal.
ALSO READ: HKSAR govt to amend national flag, emblem ordinance
According to the amended bill, the Secretary for Education of the HKSAR government has the responsibility to promote national flag and national emblem education. Schools are required to raise the national flag and hold the flag-raising ceremony on a regular basis.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR government Erick Tsang Kwok-wai said that the national flag and national emblem should be respected as national symbols, and that the amended bill is intended to serve to deter people attempting to insult the national flag and national emblem.