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China’s federal legislature passed a law Friday banning “disrespect” for its national anthem, the “March of the Volunteers.” Lawmakers have defined “disrespect” variously as parodies of the anthem, use of the tune as background music, or playing the song during commercials.
China’s People’s Daily state publication has confirmed the law will take effect on October 1, and violators will have up to 15 days in prison. The People’s Daily asserts the law is necessary to assure “appropriate” use of the anthem.
Proper deference to the national anthem may prove difficult in China’s many breakaway regions, from the nation of…