China extends national anthem law to Hong Kong

China has formally extended the law banning the disrespect of the national anthem to cover Hong Kong.

Few Hong Kong football fans had been booing the national anthem during World Cup qualifiers and other matches for the past few years.

China had passed a new law, in September, mandating up to 15 days in police detention for those who mock the "March of the Volunteers" national anthem.

The Xinhua state news agency has reported that the law was included in an annex of Hong Kong's basic law, or mini-constitution. It was also to be included in an annex of Macau's basic law.

Under one country, two systems, Hong Kong has maintained a separate legal system from mainland China since the handover of sovereignity from Britain in 1997, reported the South China Morning Post. Macau is similarly governed - under one country, two systems.

Chosen in 1949 as China's national anthem, the "March of the Volunteers" encouraged the country's people during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against the Japanese aggression.