China’s flag features one large yellow star surrounded by four smaller yellow stars on a red field. This design is the national flag of the People’s Republic of China, commonly known in China as the Five-star Red Flag.
The large star appears in the upper hoist corner, with the four smaller stars arranged in an arc toward it. The official interpretation connects the arrangement with the unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. Red symbolizes the Chinese Communist Revolution, while the stars are golden rather than white.
The design was created by Zeng Liansong and selected in 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was established. It was first officially raised on 1 October 1949 at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, during the proclamation of the new state.
This flag is often confused with other red Asian flags, especially Vietnam’s flag, which has only one large yellow star. Taiwan’s flag uses a blue canton with a white sun, and North Korea’s flag has a red star inside a white circle, so neither matches the five-star arrangement.