‘We just want to win money’: should Hongkongers stand for the national anthem at horse races?
Senior mainland official has earlier frowned upon those who remain seated at events, as city moves to enact local version of anthem law
Many local racegoers at an international event in Hong Kong on Sunday did not stand up when the national anthem was played, a conduct previously called “disrespectful” by a senior mainland official, who said it should be a punishable offence once a new law was in place locally.
During the trophy presentation ceremony at the Sha Tin Racecourse, spectators in the outdoor stand remained seated, with some eating, drinking or smoking as March of the Volunteers played.
This was despite a broadcast by the Hong Kong Jockey Club stating that guests should stand up and remove their headgear.
Hong Kong-trained horses won three of four Longines International Races, with Mr Stunning, Beauty Generation and Time Warp emerging victorious.
On November 2, a member of a local legal delegation said that Li Fei, head of the Basic Law Committee, mentioned he had observed many Hongkongers remaining seated when the anthem was played at the racecourse, adding that this conduct must change once a new law was enacted.
Hongkongers must stand for national anthem even if local law not as severe as mainland China’s, senior Beijing official says
