A draft law in China aimed at banning speech and clothing deemed “detrimental to the spirit of Chinese people” has ignited controversy and debate within the country. While the proposed law outlines potential penalties, it lacks specific definitions for violations, leading to concerns over potential excessive enforcement.
Under this proposed legislation, individuals found guilty of wearing or compelling others to wear clothing or symbols that “undermine the spirit or hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation” could face detention for up to 15 days and fines up to 5,000 yuan ($680; £550). Similar punishments may apply to those who create or disseminate content that violates these guidelines.
This contentious law has raised questions about the subjective nature of determining when the nation’s “feelings” are harmed. Online commentators have pointed out the ambiguity, with one user questioning whether wearing Western attire like suits and ties could also be considered harmful to national feelings.
Legal experts within China have criticized the vagueness of the proposed law, suggesting it may be prone to abuse. Zhao Hong, a law professor at the Chinese University of Political Science and Law, expressed concerns that the lack of clarity might infringe on personal rights. She cited a past incident in which a woman wearing a kimono was detained in Suzhou for supposedly “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” which caused outrage on Chinese social media.
The draft law is part of a broader effort by Chinese President Xi Jinping to redefine the criteria for being a model Chinese citizen. In 2019, the Chinese Communist Party issued “morality guidelines” that included directives on politeness, reducing carbon footprints, and having “faith” in President Xi and the party.
These proposed changes to public security laws mark significant reforms in China, with the clothing law drawing immediate public attention and criticism for its potential overreach and lack of clarity.
Source: Kelly Ng, BBC News, Singapore
