List of Chinese flags

This is a list of flags of entities named "China".

This article is about the flags used by various Chinese regimes. For the flags used in the Taiwan Area controlled by the Republic of China, see List of Taiwanese flags. For the current flag of the People's Republic of China, see Flag of China. For the current flag of the Republic of China, see Flag of the Republic of China.

National flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
30 June 1924–presentFlag of the Republic of ChinaCommonly known as "Taiwan". A red field, with a blue canton containing a 12-ray white sun. This flag flew over mainland China until 1949, and is presently flown on the island of Taiwan and other islands under the control of the ROC. This flag can be sometimes be seen in Mainland China, for historical and unofficial use.
1 October 1949–presentFlag of the People's Republic of ChinaCommonly known as "China" locally known as "Sino". A red field, with a large yellow star with four smaller stars to the right at the canton. This flag is flown in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Imperial flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1862–1890The flag of Qing dynastyAzure Dragon on a plain right triangle yellow field with the red sun of the three-legged crow in the upper left corner.
1890–1912The flag of Qing dynastyRectangular variant of above flag.
1862–1912Standard of the Qing EmperorQing dynasty imperial standard for the Emperor of China.

Provinces

Since the PRC-controlled mainland lacks provincial flags, only the ROC-controlled areas have two flags of its provinces.

FlagDurationUseDescription
Fujian ProvinceOnly used in the ROC-controlled Fujian after 1949.
Taiwan Province

Special administrative regions flags
Main articles: Flag of Hong Kong and Flag of Macau
FlagDurationUseDescription
1 July 1997–presentFlag of Hong KongA white, five-petal Bauhinia blakeana on a red field with 1 star on each of the petals. The Chinese name of Bauhinia × blakeana has also been frequently shortened as 紫荊/紫荆 (洋 yáng means "foreign" in Chinese, and this would be deemed inappropriate by the PRC government), although 紫荊/紫荆 refers to another genus called Cercis. A statue of the plant has been erected in Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong.
20 December 1999–presentFlag of MacauA lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars on a green field

City and county flags

As of 18 November 1997, the Chinese Government banned localities from making and using local flags and emblems.[1] Despite this law, some cities have adopted their own flag that often includes their local emblem as shown below. The ROC-controlled areas continues to use the respective flags.

FlagDurationUseDescription
May 1997–January 1998Flag of Harbin[2]A white, five-petal flower surrounding a snowflake on a dark green field
December 1995–presentFlag of Suzhou[3]
December 1986–presentFlag of Nanjing[4] Still used in 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
March 2009–presentFlag of Shangrao
March 2006–presentFlag of Kaifeng
2010– Kaohsiung City

高雄市

Stylized "高". Colors symbolizing sunshine, vitality, environmental protection, & ocean.

http://www.kcg.gov.tw/CP.aspx?n=1FA00AF1B01EEB41&s=B5FC50A1C806D74A

2010– New Taipei City

新北市

Highly stylized "北" in the form of four hearts arranged to resemble a four-leaf clover.

http://www.ntpc.gov.tw/ch/home.jsp?id=53&parentpath=0,5,10

2008–Taichung City
2010–Tainan City
2010–Taipei City
2014–Taoyuan City
Chiayi City
Hsinchu City
Keelung City
Changhua County
Chiayi County
Hsinchu County
Hualien County
Kinmen County
Lienchiang County
Miaoli County
Nantou County
Penghu County
Pingtung County
Taitung County
Yilan County
Yunlin County

Military flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1615–1911Flag of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Eight BannersThe Eight Banners was created in the early 17th century by Nurhaci to unify the Jurchen people into the Manchu dynasty. The first three banners were under the direct command of the Emperor himself.
1615–1911Flag of the Plain Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911Flag of the Plain White Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911Flag of the Plain Red Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911Flag of the Bordered White Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911Flag of the Bordered Red Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911Flag of the Plain Blue Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911Flag of the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners
1862–1890Used on Qing Dynasty naval ships for identificationSame as national flag.
1890–1912The flag of the Qing Imperial Chinese NavySquare version of above flag.
1874–1890The flag of the Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet from 1874–1890.
1890–1909The flag of the Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet from 1890–1909.
1909–1911The flag of the Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet from 1909–1911.

1911–1928Flag of the Wuchang uprising; army flag of the Republic of ChinaThe banner of the Wuchang uprising of October 10, 1911, subsequently used as the flag of the army of the Republic of China, ca. 1913–28.
1924–presentFlag of the Republic of China Army (formerly National Revolutionary Army)The Blue Sky with a White Sun with a red border.
1924–presentNaval Jack of the Republic of China NavyIdentical to the Kuomintang flag (see below).
1924–presentFlag of the Republic of China Air Force
1924–presentFlag of the Republic of China Marine Corps
1924–presentFlag of the Republic of China Military Police
1945–presentFlag of the Republic of China Armed Forces Reserve
1946–2012Flag of the Republic of China Joint Logistics Command
1924–presentFlag of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China (Republic of China Armed Forces)
2000–presentFlag of the Coast Guard Administration of the Republic of China
1912–1928Flag of the Republic of China Police (1912–1928)
1932–1947Flag of the Republic of China Police (1932–1947)
1947–1974Flag of the Republic of China Police (1947–1974)
1974–presentFlag of the Republic of China Police (1974–present)
1927–1928Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red ArmySame as 1928 version but left side read 工農革命軍 (China Workers'/Peasants' Revolutionary Army). Divisions were added, for example 第二軍第一師 (Second Army, 1st Division).
1928–1930Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red ArmyLeft side reads 中國工農紅軍 (Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army).
1930Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red ArmySame as 1928 version but left side has no characters and top reads 全世界無產階級聯合起來 (The world's proletariat, unite!).
1930–1931Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red ArmySame as April 1930 version but top reads 全世界無產階級及被壓迫民族聯合起來 (The world's proletariat and oppressed nations, unite!).
1931–1934Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red ArmySame as 1934 version but with blank white left side and colored fringe around the edges (6 variants - red for infantry, yellow for cavalry, black for artillery, white for engineering, blue for logistics, green for medical).
1934–1937Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army
1948–presentFlag of the People's Liberation ArmyA red field with a yellow star at the canton, and the Chinese numerals for "8" and "1", the date of the PLA's establishment on 1 August 1927.
1992–presentFlag of the People's Liberation Army Ground ForceThe PLA flag with a green stripe at the bottom.
1950sFlag of the People's Liberation Army NavyThe red flag with PLA emblem and a blue stripe in the center.
1992–presentEnsign of the People's Liberation Army NavyThe PLA flag with 5 horizontal lines, 3 blue and 2 white at the bottom, representing the sea.
1992–presentEnsign of the People's Liberation Army Air ForceThe PLA flag with a blue stripe at the bottom, representing the sky.
2016–presentEnsign of the People's Liberation Army Rocket ForceThe PLA flag with a gold yellow stripe at the bottom, representing the flare of missile launching.
2018–presentEnsign of the People's Armed Police ForceThe PLA flag with three green bars at the bottom.

Proposed national flags of the Republic of China
  • Teo Eng Hock and his wife's proposal 1 for the ROC flag.
  • Proposal 2 for the ROC flag.
  • Proposal 3 for the ROC flag, later adopted as the Flag of the Republic of China Army.
  • Proposal 4 for the ROC flag, later officially adopted as the national flag.

Proposed national flags of the People's Republic of China

In July 1949, a contest was announced for a national flag for the newly founded People's Republic of China (PRC). From a total of about 3,000 proposed designs, 38 finalists were chosen. In September, the current flag, submitted by Zeng Liansong, was officially adopted, with the hammer and sickle removed.[5]

Alternative proposals
  • Mao Zedong's proposal for the PRC flag.
  • Zeng Liansong's original proposal for the PRC flag.
  • Proposal 2 for the PRC flag.
  • Proposal 3 for the PRC flag.
  • Proposal 4 for the PRC flag.

Selection of proposals
  • Design by Ai Qing
  • Design by Bao Qiquan
  • Design by Chen Duo
  • Design by Chen Lu
  • Design by Guo Moruo
  • Design by Guo Moruo
  • Design by Hu Yuanqing
  • Design by Jiang Dazhong
  • Design by Kang Jian
  • Design by Liang Congjie
  • Design by Luo Wen
  • Design by Mo Hongshu
  • Design by Mo Zongjiang
  • Design by Pang Xunqin
  • Design by Wu Yuzhang
  • Design by Wu Yuzhang
  • Design by Xiao Shufang
  • Design by Xiao Shufang
  • Design by Xiao Shuhua
  • Design by Xiao Shuhua
  • Design by Yan Xinghua
  • Design by Yang Taiyang
  • Design by Yang Taiyang
  • Design by Yu Zhuosheng
  • Design by Zhang Ding and Zhong Ling
  • Design by Zhang Ding and Zhong Ling
  • Design by Zhang Ding and Zhong Ling
  • Design by Zhang Ding and Zhong Ling
  • Design by Zhang Ding and Zhong Ling
  • Design by Zhang Ding, Zhong Ling and Zhou Guangyuan
  • Design by Zhang Ding, Zhong Ling and Zhou Guangyuan
  • Design by Zhang Ding, Zhong Ling, Zhou Guangyuan and Xiao Shuhua
  • Design by Zhu De

Non-state flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1895–presentFlag of the KuomintangThe "Blue Sky with a White Sun", 12 rays of the sun represent progressive ideals.
1996–presentFlag of the Communist Party of ChinaCommunist hammer and sickle.
1921–1996Flag of the Communist Party of ChinaCommunist hammer and sickle.
1949–presentFlag of Young Pioneers of ChinaRed flag with yellow five-pointed star and torch in the middle.
1922–presentFlag of Communist Youth League of ChinaRed flag with encircled yellow five-pointed star.
1925–1953Flag of the China Party for Public Interest井
1946China Democratic Socialist Party flag#
1927–1928Commander-in-Chief Flag of the Republic of China (Beiyang Government)
1929–presentStandard of the President of the Republic of China
1947–1986Standard of the Vice President of the Republic of ChinaAbolished with Act of Ensign of the Republic of China Navy (海軍旗章條例) on Jan. 3rd, 1986.
1929–1966Civil Ensign of the Republic of ChinaFour serrated yellow stripes are added to the flag of the Republic of China for use as a civil ensign at sea. Present civil ensign is national flag.
1950s–presentFlag of the Customs of the People's Republic of ChinaThe caduceus crossed with a golden key is added to flag of the People's Republic of China.
2018–presentFlag of the China Fire and Rescue ServiceBicolor flag in red and blue with the badge of the China Fire and Rescue Service at the top and the bilingual text "Flag of China Fire and Rescue" at the bottom.
2020–presentFlag of the People's Police of the People's Republic of ChinaRed flag with a blue stripe in the bottom and the badge of the People's Police in the canton.

Historical national flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1862–90Flag of the Qing DynastyNaval flag, quasi-national flag on international occasions.
1889–1912Flag of the Qing DynastyOfficial national flag since 1889.
1912–28First flag of the Republic of China, or "Five-colored flag"It was widely flown even before the Republic of China in Shanghai and eastern parts of north China until 1928. The stripe representation: red for Han Chinese, yellow for Manchus, blue for Mongols, white for Hui and black for Tibetans. Later used by the Japanese puppet states of the East Hebei Autonomous Government, the Chinese Provisional Government and Reformed Government of China.
1916Flags of Empire of China.The version with the red saltire was more commonly used than the version with the red centered cross.
Mainland China: 1924–49
Taiwan: 1945–present		Flag of the Republic of China; Naval EnsignNaval Ensign from 1913 for the Republic of China. Not used in areas administrated by the People's Republic of China except in historical venues. Currently used as the national flag of the Republic of China.
1931–34Jiangxi Soviet republic flagA red star and hammer and sickle along with Chinese characters for "Chinese Communists" (Zhonggong, 中共) written in classical word order, i.e., read from the right.
1931–34Flag of Chinese Soviet RepublicRed flag with the national emblem in the center.
1933–34Flag of Fujian People's GovernmentA horizontal bicolour of red and blue and charged with a yellow five-pointed star in the center.

Other historical flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1851–1864Flag of the Taiping Heavenly KingdomUsed by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom until 1864.
1897–1914Flag of Tsingtau, Kiautschou[6]Imperial War Flag of the German Empire.
1897–1914Flag of the Governor of Tsingtau[7]Gouverneurflagge of the German Empire.
1897–1914Civil flag of Tsingtau, Kiautschou[8]Reichskriegsflagge der Kaiserliche Marine of the German Empire.
1903–1930Flag of the WeihaiweiA British Blue Ensign with two Mandarin ducks standing on a beach.
1870–1876Flag of the British colony of Hong KongA British Blue Ensign with a crowned "HK" in a white disc.
1876–1955Flag of the British colony of Hong KongA British Blue Ensign with local waterfront scene.
1955–1959Flag of the British colony of Hong KongA British Blue Ensign with local waterfront scene.
1959–1997Flag of the British colony of Hong KongA British Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Hong Kong (granted in 1959) in a white disc.
1985–1999Flag of the Regional Council (Hong Kong)A stylized Bauhinia blakeana leaf outline in white, in the form of a diagonally-tilted capital "R", on a green background, representing the green of the leaves.
1960s–1999Flag of the Urban Council (Hong Kong)A stylized Bauhinia blakeana flower outline in white on a pink background representing sacredness, dignity, and love while implying harmonious coexistence of Chinese and Westerners.
1910–1941, 1945–1959Flag of the Governor of Hong KongAn Union Jack defaced with the colonial badge of Hong Kong and surrounded by a green wreath.
1959–1997Flag of the Governor of Hong KongAn Union Jack defaced with the coat of arms of Hong Kong in a white disc and surrounded by a green wreath.
1670–1830Flag of Portugal, used in colonial era colony of MacauThe Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1830–1911Flag of Portugal, used in colonial era colony of MacauThe Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1911–1999Flag of Portugal, used in colonial era colony of MacauThe Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1975–1999Flag of the Municipality of Macau, one of two local municipal governments.A light blue field charged with the coat of arms of the Municipality of Macau. This was the flag used at the handover to China in 1999.
Until 1999Flag of the Governor of MacauA white field with two green vertical stripes charged with an Order of Christ Cross bearing the coat of arms of Portugal.
1975–1999Flag of Portuguese colonial Government of Macau.A light blue field charged with the coat of arms of the Government of Macau. During the Portuguese administration this flag also represented the Territory of Macau in the international forums, although it was not the official flag of the Portuguese colony.
1975–1999 (Not Official)Variant flag of Portuguese colonial Government of Macau.Not official variant without the Kingdom of the Algarve castles in the coat of arms. This flag was found at the University of Macau in a photo of International University sports meeting and it was used in the parade. Although this flag was never used officially, some sports media used it instead of the Portuguese Flag to represent the colony.
1897–1915Flag of the Chinese Eastern RailwayA combination of the triangular version of the flag of the Qing dynasty and the flag of Russia, with the text "East Provinces' Railway of Great Qing" in Chinese.
1915–1925Flag of the Chinese Eastern RailwayA combination of the triangular version of the Five Races Under One Union flag and the flag of Russia, with the text "East Provinces' Railway Company of China" in Chinese.
1925–1932Flag of the Chinese Eastern RailwayA combination with the Five Races Under One Union flag at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1932–1935Flag of the Chinese Eastern RailwayA combination with the flag of Manchukuo at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1849–1943 (in Shanghai)
1898–1943, 1945–1946 (in Guangzhouwan)		 Flag of France, used in Shanghai French Concession and French Guangzhouwan. The French flag was used in Shanghai French Concession and French Guangzhouwan, as there were no territorial flag.
1869 – c. 1917Flag of Shanghai Municipal Council, Shanghai International Settlement
c. 1917 – 1943Flag of Shanghai Municipal Council, Shanghai International Settlement
until
29 December 1928		Flag of Fengtian clique.Used by warlords until Chinese reunification (1928).
1922–1949Flag of Kunming[9]The flag features the former city emblem which consists of two intersecting red circles which represent the harmony of sun and moon, as well as western and eastern ideas. In the middle is a golden stylized symbol of a 市 character.
1933–1942Flag of XinjiangUsed by Sheng Shicai's provincial government in Xinjiang until 1942.
1942–1944Flag of XinjiangUsed by the Sheng Shicai's provincial government in Xinjiang until 1944.
1916–1951Flag of Tibet.Used by Tibet until 1951. Currently used by the Tibetan Government in Exile located in Dharamshala, India
1911–1920Flag of the Bogd Khanate of Mongolia.Flag of the Bogd Khanate of Mongolia after its declaration of independence during the fall of the Chinese Qing dynasty. The flag's exact design was not standardized and variations occurred from flag to flag.[10][11][12]
1933–1934Flag of the First East Turkestan RepublicUsed by the First East Turkestan Republic until 1934.
1944–1946Flag of the Second East Turkestan RepublicUsed by the Second East Turkestan Republic until 1946.
1937–1938Flag of the Great Way Government.
1936–1939Flag of the Mongol Military Government, which became the Flag of the Mongol United Autonomous Government in 1937.A vertical pattern of red, yellow, white as a canton on a blue field.
1938–1939Flag of the South Chahar Autonomous Government, also known as Chanan. Later merged with the Mongol United Autonomous Government and Jinbei to create MengjiangA vertical pattern of red, white, blue as a canton on a yellow field.
1938–1939Flag of the North Shanxi Autonomous Government, also known as Jinbei. Later merged with the Mongol United Autonomous Government and Chanan to create MengjiangA vertical pattern of red, blue, white as a canton on a yellow field.
1939–1945Flag of MengjiangA horizontal pattern of yellow, blue, white, red, white, blue, and yellow again.
1940–1943Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China.Used by the Japanese puppet government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, Anti-Communism, National Construction".
1940–1943Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China.Used by the Japanese puppet government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, Anti-Communism".
1940–1943Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China.Used by the Japanese puppet government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, National Construction".
1942–1945War Ensign of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China.Used by the Japanese puppet government from 1 May 1942 until the end of the regime.

Note that Hong Kong and Macau were handed over to the People's Republic of China in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

Manchukuo flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1932–1945Flag of ManchukuoA yellow field with the red, blue, white, and black stripes of the first flag of the Republic of China (see above) in the canton.
1932–1945War ensign of Manchukuo.Used by the Manchukuo Imperial Army.
1932–1945Flag of the Manchukuo Shipping Office.Used by the Manchukuo Shipping Office.
1932–1945Flag of the Manchukuo Coast Guard.Used by the Manchukuo Coast Guard.
1932–1945Flag of the Manchukuo Marine PoliceUsed by the Manchukuo Marine Police.
1932–1945Flag of the Manchukuo PostPostal flag of Manchukuo.
1932–1945Imperial standard of the Emperor of Manchukuo.Used by the Emperor of Manchukuo.
1931–1945Flag of the Concordia Association.Used by the Concordia Association of Manchukuo.
1932–1945Flag of the Boy Scouts of Manchukuo.Used by the Boy Scouts of Manchukuo.

See also

References
  1. 中共中央办公厅、国务院办公厅关于禁止自行制作和使用地方旗、徽的通知 (Chinese Communist Central Governmental Notice to Ban Making and Using Local Flags and Emblems)
  2. 哈尔滨市市旗市徽制作和使用管理暂行办法 Archived 2005-03-21 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "蘇州市城鄉建設檔案館". Archived from the original on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  4. 市徽图案废止后著作权的归属
  5. 《中华人民共和国国旗国徽国歌档案》,中央档案馆编，中国档案出版社出版,2009。
  6. Kiautschou Tsingtau
  7. Kiautschou Tsingtau
  8. Kiautschou Tsingtau
  9. |date=2020-04-26 }}
  10. "Flag of Bogd Khaanate Mongolia (1)". markodehaeck.free.fr. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  11. "Flag of Bogd Khaanate Mongolia (2)". markodehaeck.free.fr. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  12. "Flag of Bogd Khaanate Mongolia (3)". markodehaeck.free.fr. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
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