THE HONG KONG FLAG
As a British Crown Colony, Hong Kong does not possess a "national" flag, and it is the British Union Flag (Union Jack) that flies over Government House, Government Offices, police stations and other official buildings in the Colony.
There is also a Colony Flag, which consists of the Blue Ensign with the Armorial Bearings of Hong Kong on a circular white
background let into the fly. This flag was originally used only by vessels permanently employed in the service of the Colony, such as police and customs launches, but nowadays it is used rather more widely, although it may only be flown after obtaining permission
from the Colonial Secretary, and is not on sale to the general public.
The Colony flag is sometimes seen nowadays being flown as a second flag on official buildings, and on some prominent
unofficial buildings such as hotels and clubs. In these circumstances it is always flown beside the Union Flag and never by itself.
Another use for the Colony Flag nowadays is to distinguish Hong Kong delegations at international trade fairs and similar functions, and sports teams representing the Colony in overseas competitions. These are the only occasions when it is permissible to display the Colony Flag on shore without the Union Flag.
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