Chinese law to ban comments that harm China’s ‘feelings’ prompts concern

There is concern in China about the increasingly authoritarian and nationalistic rule of President Xi, pictured at the opening of a parliamentary session. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

Proposed changes to a Chinese public security law to criminalise comments, clothing or symbols that “undermine the spirit” or “harm the feelings” of China have triggered the concern of legal experts, who say the amendments could be used arbitrarily.

The changes were first made public last week as part of a mandatory “soliciting opinion” process, as concerns mount about the increasingly authoritarian and nationalistic rule of China’s president, Xi Jinping.