Anthem on the nose in Hong Kong

Debate has been suspended ahead of a vote on a national anthem bill after a stink bomb was dropped in the Hong Kong legislature.

Firefighters check the Legislative Council after MP Ray Chan dropped a stink bomb. Picture: AP

A Hong Kong legislative debate has been suspended ahead of an expected vote on a contentious national anthem bill after pro-democracy MPs staged a protest, with one dropping a pot of pungent liquid in the chamber.

Raising a sign that said “A murderous regime stinks for ten thousand years”, Ray Chan walked to the front with the pot hidden inside a Chinese paper lantern.

When security guards tried to stop him, he dropped the lantern and the pot, and was ejected from the meeting. Another MP who accompanied him was also ejected.

The pro-Beijing majority says the law is necessary for Hong Kong citizens to show appropriate respect for the anthem. Those found guilty of intentionally abusing the March of the Volunteers would face up to three years in prison and fines of up to $HK50,000 ($9320).

Beijing began pushing for the law after Hong Kong soccer fans jeered the national anthem at international matches in 2015.

As anti-government protests engulfed Hong Kong, thousands of fans booed and turned their backs when the anthem was played at a World Cup qualifier match against Iran in September.

China’s National People’s Congress formally approved a decision last week to create national security laws for Hong Kong under which Chinese security agents could be in the city.

The session coincided with the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Before debate began, pro-democracy MPs stood in silence to mark the anniversary and put up signs on their desks that said “Do not forget June 4, the hearts of the people will not die”.

AP