China considers three-year jail terms for disrespecting national anthem, flag

China is considering handing out three-year jail terms to people who disrespect its national anthem under a new law which could be rolled out to Hong Kong, media said on Tuesday.

The strict new rules could spark a backlash in the former British colony where football fans have booed the anthem in recent matches, sparking fury from authorities and highlighting divisions between the city and the Chinese mainland.

China’s rubber-stamp parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), is considering strengthening a new law that came into effect earlier this month that is aimed at ensuring the “appropriate use” of the anthem, Xinhua news agency said.