The Hong Kong Basic Law do not currently specify an anthem of Hong Kong. Instead, Hong Kong government adopted National Anthem Ordinance in year 2020, specifying "March of the Volunteers," the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, as the national anthem to be promoted and sung in Hong Kong.
As a dependent entity—during British rule from 1841 to 1997, during the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, and currently as part of China—the anthem of the ruling sovereign state has always been adopted for official use and played at major sporting events and ceremonies.
March of the Volunteers
"March of the Volunteers", the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, has been adopted for use in an official capacity as the representative anthem of the Hong Kong SAR Government internationally since the transfer of sovereignty in 1997.
The national anthem is protected by statute under the National Anthem Ordinance since 12 June 2020 and since then is broadcast 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.
Historical anthems
"God Save the King" (alternatively "God Save the Queen" when the British monarch was female), the national anthem of United Kingdom, was used in an official capacity as the representative anthem of British Hong Kong internationally from and from . "Kimigayo", the national anthem of the Empire of Japan, during Japan's military occupation of Hong Kong from .
Unofficial anthems
"Below the Lion Rock", a Cantopop song by Roman Tam, adopted as a representative anthem during the 2003 SARS outbreak "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies", a song by rock band Beyond, adopted as a representative anthem during the 2014 Hong Kong protests "Glory to Hong Kong", a protest song by "Thomas dgx yhl" and the netizens on LIHKG was widely popular during the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests and was subsequently erroneously and controversially played as the 'Hong Kong anthem' at several international sporting events. Some Hongkongers and supporters of democracy in Hong Kong consider the song an anthem that reflects the identity of Hong Kong. For a long time it was the top result on Google search for "national anthem of Hong Kong," supposedly contributing to its misuse in international sports events.
