China is reportedly considering a ban on clothing that hurts people’s feelings and if it goes through, people can be detained or fined for wearing items that are “detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese people”.

Not only would wearing clothing or symbols that are “harmful” be in violation of the law, but forcing someone else to wear “harmful” clothing or symbols would be in violation.

The ban on certain clothing items is part of a proposed amendment to its existing public security administration punishments law.

The South China Morning Post reported that violations of the proposed amendment would not be considered crimes, nor would offenders have to go to court.

However, people could face fines or spend 15 days in detention, plus it will be recorded on their resumes.

In an opinion piece for the South China Morning Post, Zhou Xin said the proposed laws were a “red flag”.

People in China have argued the rules could lead to police abusing their power.

“For my generation, born after the Cultural Revolution and brought up amid China’s reform and opening up, the proposed law raises a red flag; it points to increasing intolerance that may sow division in Chinese society,” he wrote.

“It could also open a jar of worms in a country already facing rising nationalism, weakening economic growth, and polarisation among social groups.”

The proposed laws have sparked outrage in China, with people saying it will give too much power to the police.

Restrictions will grow

Constitutional studies professor Tong Zhiwei, from East China University of Political Science and Law, was among those who expressed concerns on Weibo, according to CNN.

“If (the standing committee) passes this article according to the current draft, it will inevitably lead to law enforcement and the judiciary arresting and convicting people based on their leaders’ will, which will cause endless harm,” he said, according to CNN.

Beijing-based criminal lawyer Wei Rujiu said the amendment is too vague as there is little consensus about what the “spirit of the Chinese nation” actually is, the South China Morning Post reported.

Others on social media believe the restrictions won’t stop at clothes.

“Today they can prevent you from wearing certain clothes, tomorrow they can prevent you from speaking, then the day after they can prevent you from thinking,” one person said on Weibo, according to The Guardian.

Others on social media expressed concerns the changes could lead to more extreme nationalism and potentially lead to diplomatic problems.

In August 2022, a woman was detained by police for wearing a kimono, a traditional Japanese dress.

The woman was confronted by a police officer in Suzhou and she was reportedly wearing the kimono as part of an anime costume.

The police officer said if she was wearing hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, he wouldn’t be approaching her.

“But you are wearing a kimono, as a Chinese. You are Chinese,” the officer reportedly said.

Japan and China have a strained relationship and the new law could potentially serve as solid ground to question anyone wearing such attire in China.

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Tough stance on self-expression

It’s not just clothing that China is tough on.

In 2021, the country’s broadcasting regulator said it would ban “effeminate” styles in entertainment.

Just two years before, young male pop stars had their earlobes blurred, if they had any piercings.

Men’s ponytails have also been censored, along with tattoos.

China’s ruling Communist Party does not like tattoos, and they are increasingly popular among young people.

In 2021, players on China’s national football team were banned from getting any more tattoos, and players told to remove their tatts.

According to the BBC, China’s sports administration body said the move to prohibit tattoos would help “set a good example for society”.

Tattoos have historically been linked to criminality in China, CNN said.

In ancient China, criminals’ faces were branded with ink as one of the “Five Punishments”.

Before the ban on tattoos, a women’s university football match was called off, due to players having dyed hair, which was not allowed.

“Athletes at all stages shall not have tattoos, dye their hair, wear weird hairstyles, or wear any accessories, otherwise they will be ineligible for the competition,” the National Youth Campus Football League stated, according to the BBC.