Top Judge Welcomes New Anthem Law

Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma says it's appropriate and right that the national anthem is played at events such as the opening of the legal year and the swearing-in of judges.

Justice Ma was speaking for the first time about the proposed national anthem law, which will set out formal occasions at which "March of the Volunteers" must be played.

"These are important occasions, underlining the rule of law. The swearing in of judges is important, because it is the judges who will uphold the rule of law," Ma said at Monday's opening of the legal year.

"For these reasons, we take these occasions very seriously. And if the seriousness of the occasion is underlined by the playing of a national anthem, which is common all over the world, then I think it is appropriate and right."

Lawmakers are due to begin scrutinising the proposed anthem law later this month. It would make it an offence for anyone to disrespect the anthem.