BEIJING - China's top legislature on Saturday voted and passed an amendment to the country's criminal law to punish serious acts of disrespecting the national anthem.

The amendment was passed at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

According to the amendment, serious cases of disrespecting the country's national anthem in public would get punishments including deprivation of political rights, criminal detention, and imprisonment of up to three years.