As the Chinese Government continues in it’s effort to redefine what makes a model Chinese citizen, citizens have reacted to it’s draft law banning speech and dressing “detrimental to the spirit of Chinese people”
The draft law has sparked debate in China, even as people questioned online, how law enforcers could unilaterally determine when the nation’s “feelings” are “hurt”, since the proposal does not yet spell out what constitutes a violation.
Legal experts in the country have also criticised the law’s vague phrasing, saying it could be open to abuse.
citizens called for more clarity to avoid excessive enforcement, as anyone found guilty could be fined or jailed, if the law is enforced.
China recently released a swathe of proposed changes to its public security laws – the first reforms in decades.
The clothing law had drawn immediate reaction from the public – with many online criticising it as excessive and absurd.
The contentious clauses suggest that people who wear or force others to wear clothing and symbols that “undermine the spirit or hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation” could be detained for up to 15 days and fined up to 5,000 yuan ($680; £550).
Those who create or disseminate articles or speech that do so could also face the same punishment.
The proposed legal changes also forbid “insulting, slandering or otherwise infringing upon the names of local heroes and martyrs” as well as vandalism of their memorial statues.
The draft law is just an example of how Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to redefine what makes a model Chinese citizen since he rose to leadership in 2012.
In 2019, his Chinese Communist Party issued “morality guidelines” which include directives like being polite, traveling with a lower carbon footprint, and having “faith” in Mr Xi and the party.