History of The Flag of Hong Kong
The flag of Hong Kong was officially adopted on July 1, 1997, the day the United Kingdom handed sovereignty of Hong Kong back to China, marking the end of British rule. This event is known as the Handover, and it initiated the 'one country, two systems' principle. The flag was chosen from a design competition launched in 1990, which drew over 4,000 entries. The winning design, created by architect Tao Ho, incorporates the Bauhinia blakeana, a flower that is unique to Hong Kong and symbolizes the region's identity. The flag not only represents Hong Kong's return to China but also its distinct cultural identity and heritage within a reunified country.