Disrespecting national anthem to get criminal punishment

China's top legislature on Saturday voted and passed an amendment to the country's criminal law to punish serious acts of disrespecting the national anthem.

The amendment was passed at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

According to the amendment, serious cases of disrespecting the country's national anthem in public would get punishments including deprivation of political rights, criminal detention, and imprisonment of up to three years.

The top legislature also adopted decisions to apply the newly-adopted National Anthem Law in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.

According to the decisions, the National Anthem Law, taking effect on Oct. 1, will be included in Annex III of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Annex III in the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, which lists national laws to be applied in the two regions.