Hong Kong – HKSAR Government supports commencement of process to suspend HKIHA’s membership by SF&OC

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government received on March 27 the final investigation report submitted by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) on the incident concerning the playing of wrong music as the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China at the Ice Hockey World Championship Division III event on February 28. 

     The HKSAR Government has examined the investigation report and discussed in detail follow-up actions with the SF&OC. The HKSAR Government supports the SF&OC’s commencement of relevant process to suspend the membership of the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association (HKIHA) by requesting the HKIHA to provide a full written explanation in relation to their non-compliance with the “Guidelines on Handling the Playing of the National Anthem and Raising of the Regional Flag for Hong Kong Athletes and Teams Engaging in International Sports Events” to handle the National Anthem in a dignified manner; and submit a plan of improvement on corporate governance. In the event that suspension of the HKIHA’s membership is affirmed by the SF&OC through the passage of a Special Resolution, the HKSAR Government will, under the premise of not affecting the athletes, consider reducing the subvention to the HKIHA correspondingly as punishment.

     The National Anthem is a symbol and sign of the country and should be respected on all occasions. The HKSAR Government will impose severe sanctions for non-compliance without exception.