Chinese occupation, 1919-1921

In October 1919, troops from the Republic of China invaded Outer Mongolia and occupied Urga. They never had recognised Mongolia’s autonomy or independence and claimed all territories previously held by the Qing dynasty. In February 1920, the flag of the Republic of China was raised in Urga. Adopted on 10 January 1920, the “Five Races Under One Union” flag symbolised harmony between the five major ethnic groups in China, represented by the coloured stripes: the Han (red), the Manchus (yellow), the Mongols (blue), the Hui (white), and the Tibetans (black).