China is considering a three-year jail term for people who disrespect the national anthem and flag in public

 

China’s state media reports that the parliament is considering jail terms of up to three years for people who disrespect the national anthem or flag in public.

Back in September, China passed a new law mandating up to 15 days in police detention for those who mock the “March of the Volunteers” national anthem, a law that also covers the Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macau.  

Parliament is now looking at whether to amend China’s Criminal Law to include criminal penalties for disrespect of the national anthem, including intentionally distorting the lyrics or tune, Xinhua said.  The tougher penalties also apply to desecration of the national flag, or emblem, including burning, defacing or trampling on it in public, the report said.