Chinese national flags to replace Union Flag on government buildings

Arrangements for Chinese national flags to replace the Union Flag on all government buildings next year are under way after advice from Beijing on the exact design.

The Government Supplies Department has been sent a list of accredited mainland flag makers by the Chinese Government's Technical Supervision Bureau.

Orders for the flags, along with new Special Administrative Region flags, will be placed in the near future, officials confirmed last night.

But that does not mean the Union flags now fluttering over government buildings will be the last. The Government will continue to replace weatherworn flags until June 30 next year, according to department director Nigel Shipman.

He said there were no plans to gather up or auction the British ensigns after the handover.