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

Adopted at the 29th Session 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 for the purposes of safeguarding the correct performance and use of the national anthem, enhancing the sense of national identity among citizens, carrying forward the spirit of patriotism, and cultivating and practicing 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 the national anthem and safeguard its dignity.

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

(1) Sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; opening and closing ceremonies of local people’s congresses at various levels and local committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference at various levels; and major constitutional oath-taking ceremonies, flag-raising ceremonies, and ceremonies for the bestowal of state medals and state honorary titles at all levels;

(2) Major celebrations, commendation ceremonies, commemorative ceremonies, and other such events at all levels;

(3) National memorial ceremonies and other state-level public memorial ceremonies;

(4) Major diplomatic events;

(5) Major sports events;

(6) Other occasions where the national anthem shall be performed and sung.

Article 5 — The State shall advocate citizens and organizations performing and singing the national anthem on appropriate occasions to express patriotic sentiments.

Article 6 — When the national anthem is performed and sung, the standards for the score of the national anthem, the recorded versions of the national anthem for state use, and the ceremonial forms for the performance of the national anthem prescribed by the State shall be complied with. The ceremonial forms for the performance of the national anthem shall be issued by the department in charge of external affairs of the State Council and implemented by the diplomatic missions and consular posts stationed abroad. The armed forces shall separately formulate appropriate ceremonial forms.

Article 7 — When the national anthem is performed and sung, those present shall stand up and comport themselves with solemnity and respect, and shall not engage in any behavior disrespectful to the national anthem.

Article 8 — The national anthem shall not be used or performed inappropriately on private funeral and memorial events, in the background music of inappropriate settings, in public venues, or in any other inappropriate circumstances.

Article 9 — When the national anthem is played at major diplomatic events and major international sports events, such as at the opening or closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, the relevant foreign affairs department of the State Council and the relevant sports administrative department of the State Council shall guide the proper application of the national anthem. The diplomatic missions and consular posts of the People’s Republic of China stationed abroad, and the relevant organizations stationed abroad by the people’s governments or the relevant departments, shall perform the national anthem during important celebratory events.

Article 10 — The national anthem shall be included in the full-time primary school curriculum. Primary and secondary schools shall incorporate the national anthem as an important part of their patriotic education, teach students the lyrics and score of the national anthem, and educate students on the history and spiritual connotation of the national anthem, as well as the etiquette for performing and singing the national anthem.

Article 11 — The national anthem shall be used as the piece of music for the start and end of daily broadcasting on national radio and television stations. Where the national anthem is used as the opening or ending music piece of a news or current affairs program as part of the national broadcast, the complete piece of the national anthem shall be broadcast. The official cyberspace shall publish the standard score and the official recording of the national anthem on its homepage or on a prominent page.

Article 12 — The administrative department of press and publication shall designate the score of the national anthem as the designated notebook content for the national textbook publications used in primary and secondary education, and shall organize the publication of the national anthem textbook. The administrative department of culture and tourism and the administrative department of sports shall organize the compilation of performance and singing instructions for the national anthem suitable for different occasions, and publicize and popularize such instructions.

Article 13 — Important festivals and commemorative days such as National Day and International Labor Day shall be celebrated, and the national anthem may be performed on such occasions in accordance with the relevant provisions, by the central government and the relevant departments of the people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, at their flag-raising ceremonies.

Article 14 — The people’s governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall, within the scope of their respective functions and duties, exercise supervision and administration over the observance, performance, and use of the national anthem.

Article 15 — Where the national anthem is performed or used in violation of the provisions of this Law, the matter shall be handled by the relevant department in accordance with the law depending on the seriousness of the circumstances, including issuing a warning, circulating a notice of criticism, and ordering the violator to cease the violation and eliminate any adverse effects. Where a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

Article 16 — This Law shall take effect on October 1, 2017.

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