INTRODUCE CHINESE FLAG

The Flag of the People's Republic of China, the "Five-Starred Red Flag (五星红旗 in pinyin: wǔ xīng hóng qí)", was designed by Zeng Liansong, an economist by trade and a talented artist who lived in Ruian (瑞安 ruì ān), Zhejiang. He designed it in response to a circular distributed by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in July 1949, shortly after they came to power. Out of some 3,000 plus entries received for the design competition, Zeng's was chosen after being nominated as one of the 38 finalists. Mao Zedong hoisted the first flag on a pole overlooking Tiananmen Square on the day of its unveiling.

The design uses red as its background (symbolizing the blood of the soldiers who were lost in wars) and bright yellow for its stars. The larger star symbolizes the leadership of the Communist Party of China. The four small stars represent the four classes: the workers, the peasants, the petty bourgeoisie, and patriotic capitalists [