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China: First flag of the Republic of China, or 'Five Races Under One Union' flag (1912-1928)

China: First flag of the Republic of China, or 'Five Races Under One Union' flag (1912-1928)

Used mainly in Shanghai and eastern parts of northern China until 1928, this flag was widely flown even before the founding of the Republic of China by Chinese on the eastern coast and garnered the greatest respect at the founding of the ROC.

The stripes represent the five great races in China's history, according to Dr. Sun Yat-sen: red for Han Chinese, yellow to represent Manchus, blue as Mongols, white for both Huis and Uyghurs, and black for Tibetans.

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