3. A colonial-era flag
A group of protesters draped a British Hong Kong flag on the lectern of the legislature chamber. Few activists in the city actually want to become British colonials again. But the flag is sometimes used to express their unique Hong Kong identity and discontent with Chinese rule after 1997. The appearance of this colonial-era flag at the legislature has sparked heated debate online among the protesters themselves. Opponents of the gesture say it could cause misconceptions and allow the Chinese government to blame local activism on “foreign forces.”