<P> The Chinese law about flag desecration were incorporated into Hong Kong law as the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance in 1997 as required by Annex III of the territory's constitution . The Regional Flag and Regional Emblem Ordinance is the equivalent statute in respect of the Hong Kong flag . Both ordinances ban desecration of the Chinese flag and Hong Kong flag, respectively, through methods including "burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling". </P> <P> In 1999, two individuals were convicted for desecration of the Regional Flag of Hong Kong and the Chinese flag . They were found guilty by a magistrate, had the conviction overturned in the High Court but the convictions were restored by the Court of Final Appeal . </P> <P> They were bound over to keep the peace on their own recognisance of $2,000 for 12 months for each of the two charges . </P> <P> In the judgement, Chief Justice Andrew Li said although the Basic Law of Hong Kong guarantees freedom of speech, flag desecration is not legal because there are other protest methods . </P>

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