Yang Kaili: Chinese social media star detained for five days for ‘insulting’ national anthem

Yang Kaili banned from live-streaming site Huya, where she has more than 44 million subscribers

A Chinese woman with more than 44 million followers on social media was detained for five days for “insulting” the national anthem.

Yang Kaili, a 20-year-old online personality, was reported to authorities after she waved her hands in the air mimicking a conductor while singing China’s national anthem during a video.

The live-streaming platform, Huya, banned her from the website and took down her video after a number of complaints.

The Shanghai Police Department said Ms Yang, who is also known as Li Ge, had violated China’s national anthem law.

“The national anthem is a symbol of the country, all citizens should respect and safeguard [its] dignity,” it said.

“Live-streaming platforms are not above the law – the law and moral standards similarly apply there.”

The current law in China states those who sing the anthem in a “distorted or disrespectful way” can be jailed for up to 15 days.

Ms Yang posted a series of apologies to her Weibo account after the incident.

“My action has deeply hurt everyone’s feelings. Sorry, sorry to my motherland, sorry to my fans, sorry to netizens, sorry to the (live-streaming) platform,” she said.

She added that she would stop her livestreaming for a brief period while she educates herself on patriotism and “relevant regulations”.

“I will deeply reflect and fully accept ideological, political and patriotic education and study hard on the national anthem law and relevant regulations,” Ms Yang said.