Beijing ( CNN ) China 's 1.3 billion citizens may soon find it much harder to belt out their national anthem at will . A series of rules proposed by the government will set strict limits on when , where and how `` March of the Volunteers '' -- the anthem of the People 's Republic since 1949 -- can be performed , state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday . The anthem is not allowed to be played or sung at private weddings and funerals , dancing parties , commercial events , or any other setting with `` an inappropriate atmosphere . '' When singing the anthem , people should dress appropriately , stand still and be full of energy , according to the government . Follow the rhythm . The rules then get technical : People must sing the powerful marching song in its entirety , enunciate every word and follow the rhythm . No one is permitted to start or stop singing midway -- and altering the melody , lyrics or musical arrangement is forbidden . No whispering , applauding or talking on the phone , either , while the anthem is played . There is no official word , yet , on how violators would be punished . While some of those rules sound reasonable , others may be overly harsh , especially to Americans who are used to hearing adaptations of `` The Star-Spangled Banner '' as varied as Jimi Hendrix 's instrumental rock version at the Woodstock music festival , to Whitney Houston 's soulful rendition before the Super Bowl . Creative alternatives . Despite the government effort , Chinese people still seem to appreciate creative interpretations of their normally standardized national anthem . At an airport ceremony welcoming the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping this past summer , a Venezuelan military band -- led by trumpeters going either artistic or astray -- played a refreshingly different `` March of the Volunteers '' with a new tune , an extra section and a bit of jazz flair . While the leaders appeared unfazed on the tarmac , video of the Venezuelan performance quickly went viral across Chinese cyberspace . Upon learning the new anthem decree , most Chinese Internet users seem to be taking it in stride . One widely re-posted comment deadpans : `` At least banning the national anthem at funerals makes sense , as the first verse 'Arise ! All those who refuse to be slaves ! ' would be so inappropriate . Singing that line to an open casket would just be creepy ! ''
Anthem not allowed to be played or sung in settings with `` an inappropriate atmosphere '' such as a bar, nightclub, nightclub dance floor, etc. There is no official word , yet , on how violators would be punished .