So far it’s a draft, not yet an actual law. Chinese authorities are requesting feedback about a proposal to ban clothing and symbols that “undermine the spirit or hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation.” The BBC’s Kelly Ng reports (September 7, 2023) that violators “could be detained for up to 15 days and fined up to 5,000 yuan ($680; £550). Those who create or disseminate articles or speech that do so could also face the same punishment”:
The proposed legal changes also forbid “insulting, slandering or otherwise infringing upon the names of local heroes and martyrs” as well as vandalism of their memorial statues.
Online, people questioned how law enforcers could unilaterally determine when the nation’s “feelings” are “hurt”.
“Will wearing a suit and tie count? Marxism originated in the West. Would its presence in China also count as hurting national feelings?” one user posted on Chinese Twitter-like platform Weibo.
According to asia financial:
Critics fear proposed law changes will lead to the summary arrest of government opponents and more censorship….
“Who confirms the ‘spirit of the Chinese nation’ and according to what procedure? Who recognises the ‘feelings of the Chinese nation’ and according to what procedures?” wrote Tong Zhiwei, a constitutional studies scholar at the East China University of Political Science and Law, on his Weibo social media account.
“If the NPC Standing Committee adopts this article as it is now drafted, law enforcement and judicial work will inevitably lead to the practical consequences of arresting and convicting people according to the will of the chief, and there will be endless harm.”
Presumably, certain mottos and representations already get wearers into hot water, like “Communism Sucks,” “Free Hong Kong,” “Xi Jinping Is an Evil Dictator,” etc. But duplication of edicts and laws is the least of the Chinese government’s sins.
