Law of the PRC on the National Anthem — Full English Translation (2017)

Adopted at the 29th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People’s Congress on September 1, 2017

Effective: October 1, 2017

Table of Contents

Article 1 — This Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution to preserve the dignity of the national anthem, regulate the playing, singing, and use of the national anthem, enhance the national consciousness of citizens, promote the spirit of patriotism, and cultivate and practice the core socialist 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 a symbol and hallmark of the People’s Republic of China. All citizens and organizations shall respect and protect the national anthem and uphold the dignity of the national anthem.

Article 4 — The national anthem shall be played and sung on the following occasions:

(1) The opening and closing sessions of the National People’s Congress and the local people’s congresses at all levels; the opening and closing sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the local committees thereof; meetings of all political parties and people’s organizations at all levels;

(2) Important celebrations, commendation ceremonies, commemorative events, and similar occasions specified by the Constitution;

(3) National memorial ceremonies and other important ceremonies;

(4) Major sports events;

(5) Other occasions on which the national anthem shall be played and sung as prescribed by law.

Article 5 — The State encourages citizens and organizations to play and sing the national anthem at appropriate occasions to express patriotic sentiment.

Article 6 — When the national anthem is played and sung, it shall be performed in accordance with the lyrics and musical score set forth in the annex to this Law, and the dignity of the national anthem shall not be compromised by means of altering lyrics or music or by other means.

Article 7 — When the national anthem is played and sung, persons present shall stand solemnly and comport themselves with dignity, and shall not engage in any conduct disrespectful to the national anthem.

Article 8 — The national anthem shall not be used or played at any inappropriate occasion, including but not limited to: private funeral ceremonies, entertainment and commercial activities, or other inappropriate occasions such as background music in non-political public events.

Article 9 — The national anthem shall be played at diplomatic activities organized by the State and at major international events; the national anthem may be played at major sports events organized by the State.

Article 10 — On National Day, International Labor Day, New Year’s Day, the Spring Festival, and other important festivals and commemorative days, the national anthem shall be played in accordance with regulations. The State encourages citizens to play and sing the national anthem during these festivals and commemorative days.

Article 11 — The standard sheet music and audio recordings of the national anthem shall be determined by the department in charge of culture and tourism under the State Council. The standard sheet music and official audio recordings of the national anthem shall be published on the websites of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese government, as well as other central government websites.

Article 12 — The national anthem shall be included in the first-grade music curriculum of full-time primary schools. Secondary schools shall incorporate the national anthem into their patriotic education, teaching students the history and spiritual significance of the national anthem and observing etiquette for playing and singing the national anthem.

Article 13 — During a national flag-raising ceremony, the national anthem shall be played and sung.

Article 14 — The people’s governments at the county level and above, as well as their relevant departments, shall include the playing and singing of the national anthem within the scope of their day-to-day administrative work. The news media shall actively disseminate the national anthem and promote awareness of the etiquette for playing and singing the national anthem.

Article 15 — Anyone who, during a public occasion, deliberately alters the lyrics or music of the national anthem, or performs or sings the national anthem in a distorted or derogatory manner, shall be given a warning or detained for up to 15 days by the public security organ; where the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Article 16 — This Law shall come into force on October 1, 2017.