No weddings, no funerals: China decrees new rules when singing national anthem

A series of rules proposed by the government will set strict limits on when, where and how “March of the Volunteers”the anthem of the People’s Republic since 1949can be performed, state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday.

The anthem is not allowed to be played or sung at private weddings and funerals, dancing parties, commercial events, or any other setting with “an inappropriate atmosphere.”

One widely re-posted comment deadpans: “At least banning the national anthem at funerals makes sense, as the first verse ‘Arise! All those who refuse to be slaves!’ would be so inappropriate. Singing that line to an open casket would just be creepy!”

CNN