The National Flag of the PRC is a red rectangle emblazoned with five stars. The proportion of its length and height is 3 to 2. The upper left of the face of the Flag is studded with five yellow five-pointed stars. One of the stars is bigger than the others, with its circumcircle's diameter being three-tenth of the height of the Flag, and is placed in the left; the four other stars is smaller, with their circumcircle's diameter being one-tenth of the height of the Flag, encircling the big star on its right in the shape of an arch.

The red of the flag symbolizes revolution; the stars are yellow so that they will stand out brightly against the red ground. The larger star represents the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the four smaller ones, the Chinese people. This expresses the great unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC.

Provisions on the National Flag

The Constitution of the People's Republic of China specifies: The National Flag of the People's Republic of China is a red flag with five stars.

The Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Flag, adopted at the 14th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People's Congress on June 28, 1990, was promulgated by Order No. 28 of the President of the People's Republic of China on June 28, 1990, and came into effect on October 1, 1990.

The Display of the National Flag

The National Flag of the People's Republic of China is the symbol and hallmark of the People's Republic of China. All citizens and organizations shall respect and care for the National Flag in particular when the National Flag is displayed and used. The Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Flag specifies: The National Flag shall be displayed in some places or premises of institutions according to law. Different places, institutions and organizations have been differently specified on when the National Flag shall be displayed.

• Tiananmen Square and Xinhuamen in Beijing;
• The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the Central Military Commission, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate; The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference;
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Airports, harbors and railway stations of entry or exit and other frontier ports, frontier stations and coastal defense stations.

• Departments under the State Council, standing committees of the local people's congresses, people's governments, people's courts, people's procuratorates and local committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at various levels.
• Full-time schools shall display the National Flag daily, except during winter vacations, summer vacations and Sundays.

• The National Flag shall be displayed on National Day, International Labor Day, New Year's Day and the Spring Festival.
• State organs at all levels and mass organizations shall display the National Flag on National Day, International Labor Day, New Year's Day and the Spring Festival; The National Flag may be displayed, when conditions permit, in premises of enterprises, institutions, villagers' committees and residents' committees, in urban residential compounds (buildings) and in public places such as squares and parks.
• In a national autonomous area, the National Flag may be displayed on the anniversary of the founding of the national autonomous area and during major traditional festivals of the minority nationalities.

The National Flag may be displayed when important celebration and commemorative activities, large-scale cultural and sports activities and major exhibitions are held.

• Measures for the display and use of the National Flag in diplomatic activities and by the Chinese embassies and consulates stationed in foreign countries and other diplomatic representative agencies shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The National Flag shall be displayed by military organs at barracks and on military vessels in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Central Military Commission.
• Measures for the display of the National Flag by civilian vessels or foreign vessels entering Chinese territorial waters shall be prescribed by the competent department of communications under the State Council.
• Measures for the display of the National Flag by public security vessels on frontier defense, security or fire control duties shall be prescribed by the departments of public security under the State Council.

Article 14 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Flag reads: The National Flag shall be lowered to the half staff as a token of mourning when the following persons pass away:

• President of the People's Republic of China, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Premier of the State Council and Chairman of the Central Military Commission;
• Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference;
• Persons who have made outstanding contributions to the People's Republic of China;
• Persons who have made outstanding contributions to world peace or the cause of human progress.

When unfortunate events causing especially serious casualties occur or when serious natural calamities have caused heavy casualties, the National Flag may be flown at the half staff as a token of mourning.