Beijing backtracks on a law punishing clothing that hurts ‘the feelings of the Chinese people’ after a public outcry

In September, officials in Wuhan told a woman to leave a public park when they incorrectly thought her traditional Chinese dress was a Japanese kimono. — Wang Huabin/VCG via Getty Images/The New York Times

Beijing is backing down from a law that would have punished those wearing clothes that "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people" amid a public backlash.

In September, the standing committee of the National People's Congress published draft legislation that would, among other things, outlaw speech and dress deemed to criticise the Chinese nation or people. Those found guilty could be detained for up to 15 days or fined 5,000 yuan (RM3,238 or US$688). The law was proposed amid an increased emphasis on patriotism by the Chinese government.