Flag of China

Flag of China. The national flag of the People's Republic of China, commonly known as the Five-Star Red Flag, is a red rectangular field featuring five golden stars on its upper hoist-side corner. Adopted on 27 September 1949 during a meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the flag's design symbolizes the unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Its distinctive imagery has become one of the most recognizable national symbols globally, representing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the modern Chinese state.

Design and symbolism

The flag's design consists of a solid red background with one large and four smaller five-pointed golden stars. The red field represents the spirit of the Chinese Revolution, echoing the color used by the Communist Party of China and symbolizing the bloodshed of revolutionary martyrs. The large star signifies the leadership of the Communist Party of China, while the four smaller stars represent the four social classes—the working class, the peasantry, the urban petite bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie—united around the party as conceptualized by Mao Zedong. The spatial arrangement, with the smaller stars arcing towards the large star, is intended to depict unity and a bright future for the nation. The specific color shades, defined by official standard GB 12983-2004, are a vivid red and a bright yellow.

History

The current flag was selected from nearly 3,000 entries in a design competition held in the summer of 1949, following the victory of the Chinese Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War. The winning design was created by Zeng Liansong, an economist from Wenzhou. It was formally approved by the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which also proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949. This flag replaced the flag of the Republic of China, which is now used in Taiwan. Historically, China used various banners under different imperial dynasties like the Qing dynasty, whose Yellow Dragon Flag was the first national flag adopted in the late 19th century. The Chinese Soviet Republic also used distinct flags during the 1930s.

Protocol and use

The display and use of the flag are strictly governed by the Law on the National Flag of the People's Republic of China. It must be raised daily at Tiananmen Square, all government buildings, ports, and railway stations. The flag is hoisted at sunrise and lowered at sunset, with special ceremonies held on National Day and Labour Day. It is flown at half-mast to signify national mourning, as decreed by the State Council. Desecration of the flag is a criminal offense. During state visits, the flag receives a 21-gun salute and is used in accordance with the protocols of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Its image is incorporated into the logos of state organs like the People's Liberation Army and China Central Television.

Variations and related flags

Several official variations exist for specific uses. The Chinese Communist Party flag features a hammer and sickle on a red field. The People's Liberation Army uses the Flag of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, which incorporates the national flag with the PLA emblem. The Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions fly their own flags alongside the national flag, as stipulated in their Basic Laws. The flag of the Republic of China, used in Taiwan, shares the red field but features a blue canton with a white sun. Historical flags include the Five Races Under One Union flag used by the Beiyang government and the Chinese Soviet Republic flag. The United Nations headquarters displays the flag among its member states.

Cultural impact and perception

The flag is a potent symbol in Chinese patriotic education and features prominently in major national events such as the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the annual sessions of the National People's Congress. Its image is ubiquitous in media produced by Xinhua News Agency and during broadcasts of Shenzhou spacecraft launches. The flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square is a significant tourist attraction. Internationally, the flag is a central symbol for diplomatic missions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese cultural institutes like the Confucius Institute. Perceptions of the flag vary, representing national pride and unity within China, while also being a focal point in geopolitical contexts involving territories like Tibet or the South China Sea.

China Category:National symbols of China Category:Flags introduced in 1949