A flag maker whose business has benefited from recent rallies in Hong Kong always reminds his young buyers of the history behind their purchases - especially when it comes to a certain British colonial banner.
"Customers come to buy flags for different reasons. I talk with them about the stories behind the flags," said Wong Ying-kui, 72, owner of Tai Da Flags Company in Yau Ma Tei, a retailer and wholesaler specialising in flags, souvenirs and trophies.
As Wong shows some flags to a visitor, his storyteller's enthusiasm for their history becomes obvious. First, he points to the Qing dynasty's ferocious dragon flag, with a yellow background, and then the five-coloured flag of Dr Sun Yat-sen's Republic of China.
But Wong paused before nodding at the British colonial flag of Hong Kong in his shop's front window - which, he said, has been selling well.
"Ever since the campaign against parallel trading at the Sheung Shui MTR station in September [when the colonial flag was waved], more and more young people have dropped by and asked how much that flag is," said Wong, pointing at the relatively large - 64cm by 96cm - emblem of colonial times.
"But I always tell them: this is part of our history, a history that all Chinese should be ashamed of, as we were once so weak and conquered by foreign countries."