Anthem of Hong Kong


Throughout the history of Hong Kong, the anthem of the ruling sovereign state has always been adopted for use in an official capacity and played on occasions such as major sporting events or ceremonies.
As "March of the Volunteers" is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, the song has been adopted by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for anthem performance since the handover of Hong Kong to the nation in 1997. The national anthem of the People's Republic of China is protected by statute in Hong Kong under the National Anthem Ordinance.
Because these anthems are representative of the sovereign states and not the city itself, over the course of history there have been numerous other songs being circulated as the city's anthem, typically seen as symbolizing the spirit of Hong Kong.

History of official anthem adaptions

Under British governance

"God Save the King", the national anthem of United Kingdom, was used in an official capacity as the representative anthem of British Hong Kong internationally from and from.

Under Japanese governance

"Kimigayo", the national anthem of the Empire of Japan, was used during the Japanese military occupation of Hong Kong from.

Under Chinese governance

"March of the Volunteers" has been adopted for official use and played at major sporting events and ceremonies of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region internationally since the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.
The national anthem of the People's Republic of China is protected by statute in Hong Kong under the National Anthem Ordinance, and has since begun broadcasting regularly on radio and television stations including TVB, RTHK, ViuTV, and HOY TV before the main news or morning news programmes as mandated by the Hong Kong government since the introduction of the Ordinance in 2020.

Unofficial anthems