FLAG HONG KONG
The flag was adopted on February 16, 1990, and received formal approval from the preparatory committee on August 10, 1996. It was first officially hoisted on July 1, 1997, at a historic ceremony marking the transfer of sovereignty from Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the PRC. The use of the regional flag is regulated by the laws approved by the 58th executive meeting of the State Council held in Beijing.


The previous colonial flag was used from July 27, 1959, to June 30, 1997 under British rule. It was the Blue Badge of the United Kingdom behind the Hong Kong coat of arms, on a white disc centered on the outer half of the flag. The 1876 design included a colonial insignia, with a local scene instead of the Hong Kong shield.