Hong Kong’s New Guidelines for National Anthem and Regional Flag at International Competitions

The Hong Kong Association and Olympic Committee revised the “Guidelines for the National Anthem and Regional Flag” for the Hong Kong team to participate in the competition. The team leader must ask the organizer to sign the receipt to confirm that the correct national anthem and regional flag have been received. Teams must refuse to attend, and the new guidelines come into effect on June 1.

The revised guidelines require that each sports association must obtain a kit from the Hong Kong Association before each departure to participate in an international competition, which includes 2 computer hard drives or USBs with the correct national anthem and 2 regional flags, as well as information for competition organizers. The Hong Kong Association will also assign specific personnel to arrange delivery of the signed receipt.

The new guidelines stipulate that the official link of the national anthem and the specifications of the regional flag, as well as the correct specifications of the regional flag, must be provided to the assembly according to the email template before the general assembly departs, and the team leaders and team members must also be instructed. The team leader must also ensure that the organizer signs a standard receipt to confirm the receipt of the relevant materials in writing; and before the national anthem is expected to be played or the regional flag is hoisted, the national anthem and the regional flag must be checked again on the spot, otherwise the team members will not be allowed to participate in the competition or award ceremony . Once the wrong national anthem is played or the wrong national flag is raised, the Hong Kong team will make a “T” sign to object, or even leave the field. The team leader should immediately report to the National Sports Association, and the chairman of the association must call the Hong Kong Association within 2 hours and submit a simple written report on the next working day. If NSAs do not follow the guidelines, memberships, allowances or funding may be suspended.

Originally published on AM730