By Cynthia Johnson
Chinese legislators have proposed to pass a law banning dressing and speech which contradict the values and spirit of Chinese people.
The proposal which has incited heated debates and conversations, has its contents as punishment ranging from fines to imprisonment if found guilty.
The contents of the draft according to BBC, suggest that people who wear or force others to wear symbols and clothing that “undermine the spirit or hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation” could be detained for up to fifteen days, with a fined of about five thousand (5,000) yuan ($680; £550).
An array of reactions has been garnered by the proposed law on the internet, with members of the online community rebuking the Asian nation for their attempt to place restrictions on right to expression and freedom of speech of the citizens.
Chinese social media denizens have also grown curious as to how this law, if passed, would be implemented. What would be a violation of this law?
“Does this mean that Xi and the Politburo will be prosecuted for wearing western-styles suits and ties, which are surely an affront to traditional Chinese culture and hence would automatically offend any true Chinese so-called ‘patriot’? ” , a user commented.
“Will wearing a suit and tie count? Marxism originated in the West. Would its presence in China also count as hurting national feelings,” another Chinese citizen asked.
