The following translation also appears on China Law Translate, with any additional changes made by users of that website.
Order of the President of the People’s Republic of China
No. 75
The National Anthem Law of the People’s Republic of China, having been adopted by the 29th Session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress on September 1, 2017, is hereby promulgated, to take effect on October 1, 2017.
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China
September 1, 2017
National Anthem Law of the People’s Republic of China
(Adopted by the 29th Session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress on September 1, 2017)
Article 1: This Law is drafted on the basis of the Constitution, so as to preserve the dignity of the national anthem, to regulate the performance, singing, playing, and use of the national anthem, to enhance citizens’ conception of the State, to carry forward the spirit of patriotism, and to cultivate and practice the socialist core values.
Article 2: The national anthem of the People’s Republic of China is the “March of the Volunteers.”
Article 3: The national anthem of the People’s Republic of China is the symbol and sign of the People’s Republic of China.
All citizens and organizations shall respect the national anthem and preserve the dignity of the national anthem.
Article 4: The national anthem shall be performed and sung on the following occasions:
(1) The opening and closing of the National People’s Congress and all levels of local people’s congresses;
and the opening and closing of the National Committee and all levels of local committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference;
(2) All levels of congresses of all political parties and mass organizations;
(3) Constitutional oath-swearing ceremonies;
(4) Flag-raising ceremonies;
(5) Major celebrations, award ceremonies, commemorative ceremonies, and the like, which are organized by any level of state organ;
(6) National memorial ceremonies;
(7) Major diplomatic activities;
(8) Major sporting events;
(9) Other occasions where the national anthem shall be performed and sung.
Article 5: The State calls upon citizens and organizations to perform and sing the national anthem on appropriate occasions to express patriotic sentiments.
Article 6: Performance and singing of the national anthem shall follow the lyrics and score in the Attachment to this Law, and it must not be performed or sung in a form harmful to the anthem’s dignity.
Article 7: When the national anthem is performed and sung, those present shall stand and deport themselves respectfully, and must not disrespect the national anthem.
Article 8: The national anthem must not be used, or covertly used, in trademarks or commercial advertisements, must not be used at private funeral events and other inappropriate occasions, and must not be used as background music in public venues.
Article 9: The occasions and etiquette for performing and singing the national anthem in diplomatic activities are to be prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The occasions and etiquette for military performances and singing of the national anthem are to be prescribed by the Central Military Commission.
Article 10: When performing or singing the national anthem on occasions provided for by Article 4 of this Law, the standard score and official recorded version of the national anthem shall be used.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic institutions stationed abroad shall provide the foreign affairs departments of relevant countries and relevant international organizations with the standard score and official recorded version of the national anthem, for use in diplomatic activities.
The State Council administrative department for sports shall provide relevant international sports organizations and tournaments or games organizers with the standard score and official recorded version of the national anthem, for use in international sporting events.
The standard score and official recorded version of the national anthem are to be organized for review and approved by the department designated by the State Council, and are to be published on the National People’s Congress’s website [www.npc.gov.cn] and the Chinese Government’s website [www.gov.cn].
Article 11: The national anthem is to be included in secondary and primary education.
Secondary and primary schools shall make the national anthem an important part of patriotism education, organize the students to learn to sing the national anthem, and educate the students on the history and spiritual connotation of the national anthem and to obey the etiquette for performing and singing the national anthem.
Article 12: The news media shall actively publicize the national anthem and popularize knowledge about the etiquette for performing and singing the national anthem.
Article 13: On National Day, International Labor Day, and other important national statutory holidays and anniversaries, the central radio and television stations, as well as those of the provinces, directly governed municipalities, and autonomous regions, shall play the national anthem at times prescribed by the competent department for radio and television under the State Council.
Article 14: All levels of people’s governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments are to conduct oversight and management of the performance, singing, playing, and use of the national anthem within the scope of their respective duties and powers.
Article 15: Whoever deliberately alters the lyrics or the score of the national anthem, or performs or sings the national anthem in a deliberately distorted or derogatory manner, or insults the national anthem in any other manner, in a public venue, is to be warned or detained for up to 15 days by the public security organs; criminal responsibility is pursued in accordance with law where a crime is constituted.
Article 16: This Law takes effect on October 1, 2017.
Attachment: National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China (staff notation, numbered musical notation) [scores and lyrics omitted]
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