An online news reporter has been jailed for three months after pleading guilty to insulting China’s national anthem by waving the British Hong Kong flag at a mall screening of the Olympic gold medal ceremony for local fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long last year.
Kwun Tong Court on Thursday recorded the first conviction under the National Anthem Ordinance, which criminalises insults to “March of the Volunteers”. Critics have said the legislation, which came into force in June 2020, is a curb on freedom of expression.
Lawyer: Hong Kong football fans who booed national anthem may have broken law
Paula Leung Yan-ling, 42, waved a colonial-era flag at the APM shopping centre on July 26, 2021, when crowds gathered to watch Cheung’s medal ceremony after he defeated Italian Daniele Garozzo in the men’s individual foil final at the Tokyo Games.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
What is Hong Kong’s national anthem law?
Acting principal magistrate Amy Chan Wai-mun said the defendant had seriously disparaged the national anthem and damaged the country’s dignity, adding her conduct could arouse people’s sentiments and cause conflict.
“The defendant acted in the capacity of a reporter. [This conviction] shows that reporters don’t get a free pass to break the law,” the magistrate said.
More to follow ...
More from South China Morning Post:
- Hong Kong fans observe minute’s silence in memory of Chow Tsz-lok, applaud Bahrain national anthem and boo China anthem
- Hong Kong men remanded in custody on sedition charges; 1 faces allegations he defaced country’s flag and ridiculed national anthem
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2022.