China Proposes Legislation To Curb 'Hurt Feelings'

Chinese authorities are considering a proposal to prohibit clothing, merchandise, and behaviors “that are detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese people and hurt the feelings of Chinese people,” triggering a public outcry, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The proposed amendments to current law could impose penalties of up to $680 or 15 days of police detention. However, the legislation doesn’t define what constitutes an offense.

Social media platforms and chat groups are buzzing with indignation, with some individuals taking their grievances to the website managed by the National People’s Congress.

See Also: McCarthy Vows To Exclude Ukraine Funds From Pentagon Bill

The term “hurting the feelings of the Chinese people” has been used by Communist Party officials and state media for many years. It has been invoked in various situations, including when Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the Dalai Lama, and when Taiwan was referred to as a separate country.

The proposed law might extend protection to anyone of Chinese ethnicity, regardless of citizenship, and is expected to become law within months according to Chinese legal scholars.

The proposed legislation could provide a legal basis for censorship, as seen when the China Film Administration canceled the 2019 release of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” over the portrayal of Bruce Lee.

This proposed legislation aligns with President Xi Jinping‘s policies of introducing arbitrary laws quickly, such as the Foreign State Immunity Law and the Foreign Relations Law.

Read Next: If you don't take a look, you'll miss out: The list of startups you can invest in is here. Click here to take the leap into the world of startup investing.

Photo by 360b on Shutterstock