Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor signs the National Anthem Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council on June 11, 2020. The National Anthem Ordinance will come into immediate effect after it is published in the Gazette on June 12, 2020. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday signed the national anthem bill passed by the Legislative Council last week, according to a government press release issued on Thursday.

READ MORE: HK legislators pass National Anthem Bill

The bill will come into immediate effect after it is gazetted on Friday, according to the government.

"Like the national flag and the national emblem, the national anthem is the symbol and sign of the nation. As an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is duty-bound to preserve the dignity of the national anthem through legislation," the press release quoted Lam as saying. 

I am pleased that the National Anthem Ordinance will be gazetted and come into effect tomorrow, signifying the fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR and reflecting the spirit of "one country, two systems".

Carrie Lam, HKSAR Chief Executive

"I am pleased that the National Anthem Ordinance will be gazetted and come into effect tomorrow, signifying the fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR and reflecting the spirit of 'one country, two systems'," Lam added.

According to the bill, misuse of and acts insulting the national anthem are liable to a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,450).  

"I hope that members of the public will respect the national anthem of their own volition, hence the promotion of the national anthem is of paramount importance," Lam said. 

"To let our next generation understand the history and spirit of the national anthem and to observe the etiquette for the playing and singing of the national anthem, the Education Bureau will update its learning and teaching resources and issue directions to schools through circulars to support schools in teaching students," Lam added.

The Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress passed the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Anthem on Sept 1, 2017, and added the Law to Annex III to the Basic Law on November 4 the same year.

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According to Article 18 of the Basic Law, the national laws listed in Annex III to the Basic Law shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or legislation by the HKSAR. 

The National Anthem Bill was introduced into LegCo for the first and second readings in January last year, and was passed by LegCo last Thursday.