Govt demands answers on anthem blunders

The SAR will send no-nonsense letters to World Rugby and Asia Rugby to express strong dissatisfaction and demand answers following an investigation into "ridiculous and unbelievable" national anthem blunders at international tournaments.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said yesterday that the Hong Kong Rugby Federation will be asked to formulate a set of protocols for handling matters relating to the national anthem and the national flag.

And he has asked police to conduct an in-depth investigation to identify potential criminal liability after another mix-up involving the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers, and protest song Glory to Hong Kong symbolizing Hong Kong's anti-extradition protests in 2019 surfaced following checks after trouble on November 13 in South Korea.

World Rugby's television broadcast on November 6 of the Hong Kong versus Portugal match at the final qualification tournament for rugby's World Cup next year showed a graphics banner reading "Glory to Hong Kong, National Anthem of Hong Kong" as the Chinese national anthem March of the Volunteers played.

In Hong Kong Rugby Union said at the weekend that "a graphic was superimposed on the live shots by the World Rugby production crew labeling the anthem incorrectly.

"The HKRU has since requested a detailed timeline and explanation from World Rugby as well as a formal apology from the global body to the government and people of Hong Kong and understands this will be issued forthwith.

"Playing or labeling the national anthem of China incorrectly is both disrespectful and hurtful to the people of Hong Kong and the nation, and the HKRU has again expressed its extreme dissatisfaction with World Rugby for this serious error."

The Hong Kong union also revealed the same incorrect graphic was used in coverage of the Hong Kong versus Tonga qualifying game for the World Cup on July 23 as revealed in an ongoing review process of other international matches featuring the SAR team.

The latest two revelations follow outrage that came when Glory to Hong Kong was played in place of the Chinese national anthem for the SAR team before the men's final of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series on November 13 in Incheon.

The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will next week issue guidelines to its linked organizations on handling the national flag and anthem.

They will include the instruction that a team captain or coach be assigned to check the correct anthem and flag are used at international events.

Expanding on that, federation honorary secretary general Ronnie Wong Man-chiu said the correct flag and anthem should be provided to organizers before events and double checked before they are used.

And local sports organizations could face legal repercussions involving the national security law if something goes amiss and they are found to be responsible.

"On this matter nothing can be changed," Wong said.

"If it concerns the national anthem, the national flag or the regional flag, it doesn't matter what the unions think. If mistakes are found the person in charge must respond immediately and ask for a correction."

Additionally, Hong Kong team members must leave a competition area and pull out of a tournament in "severe cases" when an organizer refuses to make amends.

If the organizer is found to be responsible, Wong added, complaints will be filed with the Olympic Council of Asia or, in the case of serious violations or repeat offenses, the International Olympic Committee.

On Saturday, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said incidents like the one on November 6 could not be tolerated as the national anthem should be respected.

He said it was "unbelievable" that incidents relating to the Hong Kong rugby team and the national anthem occurred repeatedly within such a short period, and authorities have been in contact with the Hong Kong Rugby Union for more details.

cjames.lee@singtaonewscorp.com