我国《国歌法》诞生

China’s national anthem, March of the Volunteers, is a song that we learn at the beginning of primary school and sing at every flag-raising ceremony. And now, there’s even a law to protect it.

我国国歌《义勇军进行曲》是我们一上小学就要学唱的一首歌，每次升旗仪式上也会奏唱国歌。而如今，国歌受到了法律的保护。

In September, the government passed the National Anthem Law, which will take effect from Oct 1. It states how we should sing or play the song, requiring all citizens to respect it.

今年9月，政府通过了《中华人民共和国国歌法》，将于10月1日施行。该法律规定了我们应当如何奏唱国歌，要求全体公民尊敬国歌。

According to the new law, the anthem will only be allowed to be played on certain occasions, such as during important sporting events or flag-raising ceremonies. It shouldn’t be played during private funerals or as background music in public places.

这部新法律规定，国歌只允许在重大体育赛事、升旗仪式等特定场合演奏、播放，不得用于私人葬礼或是公共场所的背景音乐。

Primary and middle schools must teach the anthem to their students and make them understand the song’s spirit and history. Moreover, the law requires citizens to be serious when singing the song. We can neither joke about it nor change the song’s words or music. If someone breaks the law, he or she can be detained for up to 15 days, or face further charges in more serious situations.

中小学应当组织学生学唱国歌，教育学生了解国歌的历史和精神内涵。除此之外，该法律还要求公民在奏唱国歌时庄重严肃，不得恶搞国歌，或故意篡改国歌歌词、曲谱。违反者将处以15日以下拘留，情节严重的，将依法追究刑事责任。

The law was introduced after some people used various versions of the anthem that are seen as disrespectful.

该法律出台前，有些人曾使用数种对国歌不敬的国歌版本。

“It has even been adapted and used as background music for an advertisement, with people dancing about without any respect,” Yu Hai, who in his role as the former head of the military band of the People’s Liberation Army has performed the national anthem since 1970, told Xinhua News Agency.

于海是解放军军乐团原团长，自1970年期便开始演奏国歌。他在接受新华社采访时表示：“国歌曾被改编成广告背景音乐，一些人还随着国歌蹦蹦跳跳，毫无敬意。”

“The national anthem is different from other songs – it is the symbol of our country,” well-known music composer Jin Fuzai told Xinhua. “The law ensures people will be more serious when playing or singing the song.”

“国歌有别于其他歌曲——它是国家的象征，”著名作曲家金复载在接受新华社采访时表示。“这部法律确保了人们以更加严肃的态度奏唱国歌。”

Many foreign countries also have laws for their national anthems.

许多国家也为各自的国歌出台了相关法律。

For example, US school children should put their right hand over their heart while singing their country’s anthem at school. In Russia, the national anthem must be played on television and radio before the start and end of broadcasting. And in the Philippines, people are required to sing the national anthem with enthusiasm when it’s played in public.

比如，美国学生在学校里唱国歌时要将右手放在自己的心口处。在俄罗斯，广播电视在开始和结束播放时都要演奏国歌。而在菲律宾，人们在公开演奏国歌时，要饱含激情地高唱国歌。