Leaflet “Symbols of our Country & of the MSAR” published by the Legal Affairs Bureau is now available

“Arise, we who refuse to be slaves! With our flesh and blood, let us build our new Great Wall!” Whenever the national anthem “March of the Volunteers” is played, we stand at attention and sing. When the national flag slowly raises, millions of people with the same fervent mind show their patriotism. Since the national flag, national emblem and the national anthem are national symbols, special attention has to be paid when using and displaying them. In the same way, since Macao is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, its regional flag and regional emblem are symbols of the Macao Special Administrative Region symbol and should be seriously treated. Whoever, by any form, publicly offends or disrespects the national symbols or the regional flag and the regional emblem, e.g. by burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling, or trampling upon the national flag, national emblem, regional flag and regional emblem, is subject to a penalty of imprisonment or fine for the crimes of desecration of national symbols or desecration of regional flag or regional emblem. The improper use or display of the national flag, national emblem, regional flag or regional emblem, is also subject to a fine. Therefore, residents have to pay attention. For the purpose of helping residents in understanding more about the national and regional symbols, the Legal Affairs Bureau has issued the leaflet “Symbols of our Country and of the MSAR”, with contents introducing the symbols of our country and of the MSAR, rules for raising and lowering the national flag and regional flag, as well as rules for the use and display of the national flag, national emblem, regional flag and regional emblem, etc. Considering that foreigners may need to know more about the laws of Macao in this respect, besides the Chinese version, we also have Portuguese and English versions of the leaflet. These leaflets are available at the Legal Information Stands of Legal Affairs Bureau. Citizens may also visit our website on www.dsaj.gov.mo to download them. The Legal Information Stands are located in various places, namely Health Centres, Conde S. Januario Hospital Centre, Civil Affairs Registry, Real Estate Registry, Businesses and Vehicles Registry, Public Notary Offices, Finance Services Bureau, Identification Bureau, Macao Post, University of Macau, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Centre of Permanent Education, Centre of Educational Activities of Taipa, Macau Electricity Company, etc. Moreover, the Legal Affairs Bureau has produced a DVD entitled “Legal Provisions regarding the National Flag and the Regional Flag” which presents the procedure and stipulations on the raising and lowering of the national flag and the regional flag. Copies of the DVD have been distributed to schools, hotels, associations and some organizations. Citizens who are interested in this DVD (with captions either in Chinese/Portuguese or Chinese/English) may browse or download it from the website of the Legal Affairs Bureau.