HKSAR Government strongly deplores and opposes playing of wrong national anthem at the Asian Rugby Seven Series
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     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government strongly deplores and opposes the playing of a song closely associated with violent protests and the “independence” movement in 2019 as the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China at the men’s final between Hong Kong and South Korea of the second leg of the Asian Rugby Seven Series held in Incheon, South Korea yesterday (November 13).

     “The National Anthem is a symbol of our country. The organiser of the tournament has a duty to ensure that the National Anthem receives the respect it warranted,” a Government spokesman said. He added,  “we have already written to the Hong Kong Rugby Union last evening demanding them to deal with this matter seriously, launch a full and in-depth investigation and submit a detailed report, and convey our strong objection to Asia Rugby, who is the organiser of the Series.”

     Based on the preliminary information provided by the Hong Kong Rugby Union to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Asia Rugby has already apologised to the Hong Kong Rugby Union on the incident. Rugby Asia also confirmed that the recording of the National Anthem submitted by the coach of the Hong Kong Team was the correct one, and explained that the mistake was caused by human error of a junior staff of the local organiser. The Hong Kong Team brought the mistake to the attention of the organiser as soon as the wrong anthem was played at the stadium. The organiser made a public announcement conveying its apology for the mistake immediately after the game and played the correct National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China during the prize presentation ceremony when the Hong Kong Team won the final.

     The Hong Kong Rugby Team will participate in the third leg of the Asian Rugby Seven Series to be held in Dubai at the end of the month. The HKSAR Government has already requested the Hong Kong Rugby Union to ensure that a similar incident would not happen again.

Ends/Monday, November 14, 2022
Issued at HKT 4:05

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