View source for Flag of Hong Kong (1871–1997)

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{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox flag
| Name = British Hong Kong
| Nickname = {{ubl|Hong Kong flag|Dragon and Lion flag}}
| Image = Flag of Hong Kong (1959-1997).svg
| Use = 110010
| Proportion = 1:2 
| Adoption = 29 July 1959 (earlier versions in 1871, 1876 and 1955)
| Relinquished = 30 June 1997
| Design = A [[Blue Ensign]] with the coat of arms of Hong Kong on a white disk
| Designer = Geoffrey Cadzow Hamilton
| Name2 =
| Image2 = Flag of Hong Kong (1959–1997, 2-3).svg
| Nickname2 = 
| Use2 = 
| Adoption2 = 
| Relinquished2 = 
| Proportion2 = 2:3 (unofficial, but more widely used in Hong Kong)
| Design2 =
| Image3 = Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong (1959–1997).svg
| Nickname3 = Flag of the [[governor of Hong Kong]]
| Use3 = 000000
| Adoption3 = 29 July 1959 (earlier versions in 1910 and 1955)
| Relinquished3 = 30 June 1997
| Proportion3 = 1:2
| Design3 = A Union Flag [[defacement (flag)|defaced]] with the coat of arms.
| Type3 = 
}}

The flag of Hong Kong from 1871 to 1997 was a [[Blue Ensign]] with the [[coat of arms of Hong Kong]] on a white disk. In Hong Kong, it is known as the '''Hong Kong flag''' ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|香港旗}}), '''British Hong Kong flag''' ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|英屬香港旗}}) or the '''Dragon and Lion flag''' ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|龍獅旗}}).<ref name=ejin>{{cite web |url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20151001-so-what-if-colonial-flag-is-banned/ |title=So what if the colonial flag is banned? |work=Hong Kong Economic Journal |date=1 October 2015 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202101200/http://www.ejinsight.com/20151001-so-what-if-colonial-flag-is-banned/ |archive-date=2 February 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 1959, following a grant from the [[College of Arms]] and with the consent of [[Queen Elizabeth II]], it was adopted as the flag of [[British Hong Kong]].<ref name=ca>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinese-armorial.com/Hong_Kong_1959/Hong_Kong_1959.html |title=Hong Kong 1959 |publisher=Chinese-armorial.com |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625105501/http://www.chinese-armorial.com/Hong_Kong_1959/Hong_Kong_1959.html |archive-date=25 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> While the flag lost its official status following the 1 July 1997 [[transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong]], it resurfaced in the 2010s as a symbol of support for Hong Kong autonomy and protest against Chinese interference in Hong Kong.

== History ==
Prior to Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty, the flag of Hong Kong was a colonial [[Blue Ensign]] flag.<ref name="FOTWColonial">{{cite web|url=http://flagspot.net/flags/hk-colon.html|title=Colonial Hong Kong|publisher=[[Flags of the World (website)|Flags of the World]]|date=18 August 2007|access-date=20 March 2009}}</ref> The flag of [[colonial Hong Kong]] underwent several changes from then until 1997.

=== Use of Union Flag (1843–1871) ===
In 1843, a [[Seal (contract law)|seal]] representing Hong Kong was instituted. The design was based on a local waterfront scene; three local merchants with their commercial goods are shown on the foreground, a square-rigged ship and a junk occupy the middle ground, while the background consists of conical hills and clouds. In 1868, a Hong Kong flag was produced, a Blue Ensign flag with a badge based on this "local scene", but the design was rejected by [[Governor of Hong Kong|Hong Kong Governor]] [[Richard Graves MacDonnell]].<ref name="FOTWColonial" />

=== First colonial flag (1871–1876) ===
On 3 July 1869, a new design for the Hong Kong flag was commissioned at a cost of £3, which featured a "gentleman in an evening coat who is purchasing tea on the beach at Kowloon". After a brief discussion in the executive council, it was determined that the new design was very problematic and it was not adopted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minutes of Meeting: LegCo 15th April 1912 |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/1912/h120415.pdf |website=Hong Kong LegCo Archives |publisher=The Hong Kong Legislative Council |access-date=10 May 2019 |ref=LegCo_1912}}</ref>

In 1870, a "white crown over HK" badge for the Blue Ensign flag was proposed by the [[Chief Secretary for Administration|Colonial Secretary]]. The letters "HK" were omitted and the crown became full-colour three years later.<ref name="FOTWColonial" /> It is unclear exactly what the badge looked like during that period of time, but it was unlikely to be the "local scene". It should have been a crown of some sort, which may, or may not, have had the letters "HK" below it. In 1876, the "local scene" badge ({{zh|[[:zh:阿群帶路圖|阿群帶路圖]]}} ''Picture of "Ar Kwan" Guiding the British soldier'') was re-adopted to the Blue Ensign flag with the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]]'s approval.<ref name="FOTWColonial" />

===Second colonial flag (1876–1955)===
During a government meeting, held in 1911, it was suggested that the name of the colony appear on the flag in both Latin and Chinese scripts. However, this was dismissed as it would "look absurd" to both Chinese and Europeans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minutes of Meeting: 28th December 1911 |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/1911/h111228.pdf |website=Hong Kong Legislative Council Archives |publisher=Hongkong Legislative Council |access-date=10 May 2019 |ref=LegCo_20111228}}</ref> The flag which was eventually adopted featured the Blue Ensign together with a "local scene" of traders in the foreground and both European-style and [[Junk (ship)|Chinese-style]] trading ships in the background.

=== Japanese occupation period (1941–1945) ===
During the [[Second World War]], Hong Kong was [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong|seized and occupied]] by the [[Empire of Japan]] from 1941 to 1945. During the occupation, the Japanese military government used the flag of Japan in its official works in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carroll |first1=John M. |title=A Concise History of Hong Kong |date=2007 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=9780742574694 |page=124 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fQofAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA124 |language=en}}</ref>

===Third colonial flag (1955–1959)===
The flag was similar in design to that previously used. It featured a British Blue Ensign with a local waterfront scene.{{Citation needed |date=February 2024}}

===Fourth colonial flag (1959–1997)===
A [[Emblem of Hong Kong|coat of arms for Hong Kong]] was granted on 21 January 1959 by the [[College of Arms]] in London. The Hong Kong flag was revised in the same year to feature [[Flag of Hong Kong (1959–1997)|the coat of arms in the Blue Ensign flag]]. This design was used officially from 1959 until Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty in 1997.<ref name="FOTWColonial" /> Since then, the colonial flag has been appropriated by protestors, such as on the annual [[Hong Kong 1 July marches|1 July marches]] for [[universal suffrage]], as a "symbol of antagonism towards the mainland",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2012/07/free-speech-hong-kong|title=Free speech in Hong Kong: Show of strength|author=A.T.|date=4 July 2012|access-date=24 July 2012|work=Analects|location=Hong Kong}}</ref> along with a blue flag featuring the coat of arms, used by those [[Hong Kong independence movement|advocating independence]]. The flag features a British Blue Ensign with the [[Emblem of Hong Kong#Colonial arms|coat of arms of Hong Kong]] (1959–1997).

{{gallery|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100|align=center
|Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|{{FIAV|historical}}{{IFIS|defacto}}  Flag used from 1843 to 1871
|Flag of Hong Kong (1871–1876).svg|{{FIAV|historical}} Flag used from 1871 to 1876
|Flag of Hong Kong (1876–1955).svg|{{FIAV|historical}} Flag used from 1876 to 1941 and 1945 to 1955
|Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|{{FIAV|historical}} Flag used from 1941 to 1945
|Flag of Hong Kong (1955–1959).svg|{{FIAV|historical}} Flag used from 1955 to 1959
|Flag of Hong Kong (1959–1997).svg|{{FIAV|historical}} Flag used from 1959 to 1997
|Flag of Hong Kong (1959–1997, unofficial Red Ensign).svg|{{FIAV|historical}} Unofficial Red Ensign used from 1959 to 1997, it has been widely used since the late 1980s.
}}

==Flags used by government departments==
=== Flags of the governor of Hong Kong===
{{gallery|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100|align=center
|Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong (1910–1955).svg| Flag of the [[governor of Hong Kong]], 1910–1955
|Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong (1955–1959).svg| Flag of the governor of Hong Kong, 1955–1959
|Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong (1959–1997).svg| Flag of the governor of Hong Kong, 1959–1997
}}

=== Council flags ===
==== Hong Kong Regional Council ====
The flag of the [[Regional Council (Hong Kong)|Regional Council]] represented the governmental body which oversaw matters related to the outlying areas of the territory during the colonial period. The flag itself featured a stylised dark green R at a 45-degree angle on white background.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

{{gallery|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100|align=center
|File:HKRegionalCouncilFlag.svg| Flag of the [[Regional Council (Hong Kong)|Regional Council]]
}}

==== Hong Kong Urban Council ====
The flag of the [[Urban Council]] represented the governmental body which was responsible for matters pertaining to the urban areas of the territory during the colonial period. The flag itself features a simplified white [[Bauhinia blakeana]] on a magenta background.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

{{gallery|mode=nolines|whitebg=y|height=100|align=center
|File:HKUrbanCouncil.svg| Flag of the [[Urban Council]]
}}

== Creation and usage ==

Before the [[Second World War]], Hong Kong had no official flag and used a series of blue ensigns with different flag badges. Following the war, the [[Governor of Hong Kong]] [[Robert Black (colonial administrator)|Robert Black]] decided to gain an official grant of arms to use on Hong Kong's flag. Designed in 1958 by Geoffrey Cadzow Hamilton, managing officer of the [[Hong Kong Civil Service|civil service]], the flag was approved by the [[Executive Council of Hong Kong]], and then by the College of Arms with minor amendments.<ref name=ca/><ref name="Governing Hong Kong: Administrative Officers from the 19th Century to the Handover to China, 1862-1997">{{cite book|last1=Tsang|first1=Steve|title=Governing Hong Kong: Administrative Officers from the 19th Century to the Handover to China, 1862–1997|date=24 October 2007|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9781845115258|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=THR5HVD4aYEC|access-date=30 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> The arms on the flag were designed with [[Chinese junk]]s, a [[naval crown]], and a [[Lion (heraldry)|lion]] and dragon as supporters, with a crowned lion crest on the helm holding a pearl; this was a reference to Hong Kong's nickname as the "Pearl of the Orient".<ref name=brit /> Queen Elizabeth II granted a [[Warrant (law)|Royal Warrant]] for the coat of arms, which was presented to Governor Black by [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]]. The Queen's [[Counsellor of State|Counsellors of State]] later gave permission on her behalf for the arms to be used on a blue ensign as the colony's flag.<ref name=ca />

[[Ship registration in Hong Kong|Ships registered in Hong Kong]] flew the Hong Kong blue ensign and were able to use the British [[red ensign]] as an identifier.<ref>{{cite book | first =Raymond | last =Wacks  | title =The New Legal Order in Hong Kong | publisher = [[Hong Kong University Press]] | year = 2000 | isbn = 9622095070 |page=426 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=beaVAAAAMAAJ |access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref> The flag was used to represent Hong Kong in sports, including at the [[Olympic Games]], although the British national anthem, "[[God Save the Queen]]", was used for gold medalists.<ref>{{cite book | first =Fan | last =Hong | title =The Politicisation of Sport in Modern China: Communists and Champions | publisher =[[Routledge]] | year =2015 | isbn =978-1317980124 | page =126 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=kRMtCgAAQBAJ | access-date =30 August 2016 | url-status =live | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160920152937/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kRMtCgAAQBAJ | archive-date =20 September 2016 | df =dmy-all }}</ref> The flag had no specific legal protections; there were no laws prohibiting [[flag desecration|desecration of the flag]], despite it being Hong Kong's national flag.<ref>{{cite book | first = Robert | last = Ash | title = Hong Kong in Transition: One Country, Two Systems | publisher = [[Routledge]] | year = 2003 | isbn = 1134423896 | page = 151 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=kZTQ7_whYygC | access-date = 30 August 2016 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920152751/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kZTQ7_whYygC | archive-date = 20 September 2016 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Following the planned transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, plans were drawn up in the 1990s for a new flag to replace the blue ensign. Following a public competition, a red flag with a [[bauhinia]] was chosen as the new flag of Hong Kong. This new flag gained formal legal status replacing the blue ensign at the [[Hong Kong handover ceremony|handover]] on 1 July 1997.<ref name=brit>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Smith |first=Whitney |url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Hong-Kong |title=flag of Hong Kong |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011223247/https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Hong-Kong |archive-date=11 October 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Post-handover ==
[[File:Flag of Hong Kong.svg|thumb|right|Current flag of Hong Kong]]
[[File:Hong Kong Independence Movement Flag.svg|thumb|right|Derivative flag used by the Hong Kong Autonomy Movement]]
Following the [[Hong Kong handover ceremony]], when the [[Union Jack]] and the Hong Kong blue ensign were lowered to symbolise the end of British rule in Hong Kong, the blue ensign lost its official status and was replaced by the current [[flag of Hong Kong]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0630.html |title=China Resumes Control of Hong Kong, Concluding 156 Years of British Rule |work=The New York Times |date=1 July 1997 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620182610/http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0630.html |archive-date=20 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1875917/unique-project-sequence-genome-hong-kong-bauhinia-tree |title=Unique project to sequence the genome of the Hong Kong bauhinia tree |work=South China Morning Post |date=1 July 1997 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619153636/http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1875917/unique-project-sequence-genome-hong-kong-bauhinia-tree |archive-date=19 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In the 2010s, the former flag of Hong Kong was used by protesters to represent the cultural differences between Hong Kong and China; the flag was also used to protest against Chinese interference in Hong Kong, as well as perceived Chinese breaches of Hong Kong's [[Universal suffrage in Hong Kong|universal suffrage]] (granted by the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration]]).<ref>{{cite web |author=Patrick Boehler |url=https://asiancorrespondent.com/2013/01/disgruntled-hong-kong-embraces-union-jack-as-symbol-of-freedom/ |title=Disgruntled Hong Kong embraces Union Jack as symbol of freedom |work=Asian Correspondent |date=25 January 2013 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806211756/https://asiancorrespondent.com/2013/01/disgruntled-hong-kong-embraces-union-jack-as-symbol-of-freedom/ |archive-date=6 August 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=raw /> The first high-profile use of the old flag in protests came in 2011 during [[Pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong|pro-democracy]] protests.<ref>{{cite book | first =Mark | last =Hampton | title =Hong Kong and British culture, 1945–97 | publisher =[[Oxford University Press]] | year =2015 | isbn =978-1784996925 | page =213 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=Ey7YCgAAQBAJ | url-status =live | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160920152541/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Ey7YCgAAQBAJ | archive-date =20 September 2016 | df =dmy-all }}</ref> Protesters often stated that they did not use the blue ensign to endorse Hong Kong independence or the return of Hong Kong to British control, but rather because they felt that Hong Kong had greater freedom under British rule.<ref name=raw>{{cite web |url=http://www.rawstory.com/2013/02/colonial-flags-fly-in-hong-kong-as-anger-grows-over-chinese-rule/ |title=Colonial flags fly in Hong Kong as anger grows over Chinese rule |publisher=Rawstory.com |date=2 February 2013 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624095748/http://www.rawstory.com/2013/02/colonial-flags-fly-in-hong-kong-as-anger-grows-over-chinese-rule/ |archive-date=24 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The protesters also said that they used the flag to express the contrasting values of China and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ko |first=Vanessa |url=https://world.time.com/2013/01/02/hong-kongs-embattled-leader-faces-more-protests/ |title=Hong Kong's Embattled Leader Faces More Protests |magazine=Time |date=2 January 2013 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624222808/http://world.time.com/2013/01/02/hong-kongs-embattled-leader-faces-more-protests/ |archive-date=24 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Advocates of the [[Hong Kong Independence Movement]] and the [[Hong Kong Autonomy Movement]] use a derivative of the blue ensign, without the British [[Union Jack]] and with the Chinese characters for Hong Kong ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|香港}}) in the centre of the arms rather than the standard English "Hong Kong".<ref name=auto>{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1074014/champions-hk-autonomy-should-embrace-full-colonial-history |title=Champions of HK autonomy should embrace full colonial history |work=South China Morning Post |date=November 2012 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020200436/http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1074014/champions-hk-autonomy-should-embrace-full-colonial-history |archive-date=20 October 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The right to display the old flag was protected under the [[Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance]] and the [[Hong Kong Basic Law]] as an expression of free speech.<ref>{{cite book | first =Mark | last =Gaylord  | title =Introduction to Crime, Law and Justice in Hong Kong | publisher = [[Hong Kong University Press]] | year =2009  | isbn = 978-9622099784 |page=151 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G12Umf-puSkC}}</ref> Despite this, when the old flag began appearing in protests, [[Pro-Beijing camp|pro-Beijing newspapers]] called for it to be banned.<ref name=ejin /> The pro-Beijing camp views the flag as a symbol of colonialism and a reminder of China's losses during the era of [[New Imperialism]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Ker Sin Tze |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/slowly-does-it-for-beijing-and-hong-kong |title=Slowly does it for Beijing and Hong Kong |work=The Straits Times |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826133530/http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/slowly-does-it-for-beijing-and-hong-kong |archive-date=26 August 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1118525/colonial-history-wont-be-waived-tai-da-flags |title=Colonial history won't be waived at Tai Da Flags |work=South China Morning Post |date=3 January 2013 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826153125/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1118525/colonial-history-wont-be-waived-tai-da-flags |archive-date=26 August 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Protesters waving the Hong Kong colonial flag in front of China liaison office in Hong Kong 02.jpg|thumb|left|Protestors in 2012 using the colonial flags]]

The then [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]], [[C.Y. Leung]], requested that people not use the blue ensign as a symbol of protest against government, stating: "People unhappy with the government don't need to wave the British flag to express discontent".<ref>{{cite web |author=Joshua But and Tony Cheung |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1074458/hong-kong-chief-executive-urges-people-not-wave-colonial-flag |title=Hong Kong chief executive urges people not to wave colonial flag |work=South China Morning Post |date=2 November 2012 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924175744/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1074458/hong-kong-chief-executive-urges-people-not-wave-colonial-flag |archive-date=24 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> China's [[Politburo Standing Committee]] member, [[Yu Zhengsheng]], stated that "The Chinese people will not accept some Hongkongers waving the colonial flag" to protest against Chinese citizens going to Hong Kong to give birth.<ref>{{cite web |author=Colleen Lee and Li Jing Gary Cheung |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1184437/displays-hong-kongs-colonial-flag-offends-beijing |title=Displays of Hong Kong's colonial flag offend Beijing |work=South China Morning Post |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923133301/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1184437/displays-hong-kongs-colonial-flag-offends-beijing |archive-date=23 September 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Critics also stated that the usage of the blue ensign was based on a selective view of British rule in Hong Kong, instead referencing [[Peak District Reservation Ordinance, 1904|early segregation]] and the imposition of martial law during the [[1967 Hong Kong riots]].<ref name=auto />

In early 2013, pro-democracy protestors calling for the resignation of Chief Executive [[Leung Chun Ying]] flew the old colonial flag. The Chinese authorities expressed their disapproval of the flag's use and Leung requested that the protesters stop flying the flag.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alex Lo |url=http://www.scmp.com/comment/article/1075138/flag-wavers-have-right-be-ridiculous |title=Flag-wavers have right to be ridiculous |work=South China Morning Post |date=5 November 2012 |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Joshua But |author2=Tony Cheung |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1074458/hong-kong-chief-executive-urges-people-not-wave-colonial-flag |title=Hong Kong chief executive urges people not to wave colonial flag |work=South China Morning Post |date=2 November 2012 |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref>

Despite being a popular protest flag, the leaders of the [[Umbrella Movement]] requested that participants of the movement not use the flag, as they intended to protest without intentionally provoking Chinese authorities or the [[Hong Kong Police Force]].<ref>{{cite book | first =Tai Wei | last =Lim | title =Contextualizing Occupy Central in Contemporary Hong Kong | publisher =[[World Scientific]] | year =2015 | isbn =978-1783267583 | page =51 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=9ty3CgAAQBAJ | access-date =30 August 2016 | url-status =live | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160920152548/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9ty3CgAAQBAJ | archive-date =20 September 2016 | df =dmy-all }}</ref> The flag has also been used outside of Hong Kong; in the United Kingdom, the blue ensign has been used as a symbol of protest to pressure the [[government of the United Kingdom]] to ensure the Sino-British Joint Declaration is fulfilled.<ref>{{cite web |author=Fox |first=Alex |date=7 March 2016 |title=Brits for HK calls for ultimate 'foreign influence', provoke response from UK Government |url=https://archive.harbourtimes.com/2016/03/07/brits-for-hk-calls-for-ultimate-foreign-influence-provoke-response-from-uk-government/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528145524/http://harbourtimes.com/2016/03/07/brits-for-hk-calls-for-ultimate-foreign-influence-provoke-response-from-uk-government/ |archive-date=28 May 2016 |access-date=11 June 2016 |work=Harbour Times |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
{{clear}}

During the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]], when protesters broke into the [[Legislative Council Complex]] they draped the British Hong Kong flag over the desk of the [[President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong]] at the head of the chamber.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-48829298|title = Hong Kong protests: Storming of parliament in pictures|work = BBC News|date = July 2019}}</ref>

In the wake of the protests, and in the context of the passing of the [[2020 Hong Kong national security law|Hong Kong national security law]] in 2020, the flag's use may be interpreted as promoting separatism and foreign influence and result in investigation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/10/13/hong-kong-man-taken-aside-for-investigation-after-displaying-british-colonial-flag-at-football-match | title=Hong Kong police take man aside after he displayed British colonial flag at football match | date=13 October 2023 }}</ref> However, this is not always the case. After the [[death of Elizabeth II]], a tribute outside the [[Consulate General of the United Kingdom, Hong Kong|British consulate in Hong Kong]] used the colonial flag without formal punishment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magramo |first=Kathleen |date=15 September 2022 |title=In Hong Kong, mourning the Queen has another purpose: defying China |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/15/china/hong-kong-queen-elizabeth-ii-mourning-china-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=22 October 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro-China media slam "minority" of Hong Kong mourners in wake of Queen's death |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-queen-09152022130747.html |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=Radio Free Asia |language=en}}</ref> The flag has also continued to be displayed by some businesses and individuals without issue.

==See also==
{{Portal|British Empire|Hong Kong}}
* [[Historical flags of the British Empire and the overseas territories]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Union Flag}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hong Kong (1871-1997), Flag of}}
[[Category:1871 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:1997 disestablishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Blue Ensigns]]
[[Category:British heraldry]]
[[Category:British Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Flags of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Flags of British Overseas Territories]]
[[Category:Flags of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Flags of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Obsolete national flags|Hong Kong (1871–1997)]]
[[Category:Hong Kong and the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:Flags introduced in 1871|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Flags displaying animals|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Flags with circles]]
[[Category:2019–2020 Hong Kong protests]]
[[Category:Flags that incorporate the Union Jack]]
[[Category:Hong Kong independence movement]]