The flying of the Chinese flag over Philadelphia City Hall to promote cultural ties has been criticized as supporting the authoritarian government in Beijing.
The flag’s raising by the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and promote cultural exchange between Philadelphia and its Chinese sister city, Tianjin, according to reports.
But it has prompted an angry appeal by a U.S. lawmaker to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker to scrap the plan. Newsweek has contacted Parker’s office and the Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition for comment.
Why It Matters
Flying the Five-Star Red Flag—the symbol of the CCP—on U.S. government property has sparked criticism that it sends a misleading message of support for a regime often at odds with American interests. Supporters say it’s in recognition of Philadelphia’s diverse immigrant communities.
What To Know
The Office of Immigrant Affairs intended to hoist the flag in an event on Tuesday sponsored by the Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition. Organizers described the flag-raising as a gesture of goodwill toward Philadelphia’s Chinese-American community and a celebration of international ties.
There had been similar ceremonies in 2017 and 2019, although this year’s event drew far more scrutiny.
However, Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) sent a letter to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker demanding the city cancel the move and end its ties with Tianjin.
He said that the flag represents “the totalitarian government led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)” which persecutes people of all faiths and is responsible for the genocide of Uyghur Muslims.
He added that there needed to be vigilance in dealing with United Front organizations which U.S. national security and experts have accused of involvement in influence and intelligence operations for Beijing in the United States.
Founder and executive director for Campaign For Uyghurs (CFU), Rushan Abbas, also urged Philadelphia not to go through with the move and called on city leaders “to stand with victims of tyranny.”
Meanwhile, in an op-ed for Fox News, broadcaster Rich Zeoli wrote that while the flag-raising has been justified as a demonstration of support for Philadelphia’s strong and vibrant Chinese community, it already has appropriate celebrations for Chinese Philadelphians, such as the Lantern Festival.
What People Are Saying
Select Committee on China Chairman, John Moolenaar (R-MI), in a statement September 25: “Raising the flag of the People’s Republic of China over Philadelphia is a disgrace to our nation’s founding values and flies in the face of all the courageous dissidents and human rights advocates who tirelessly work to bring freedom to the Chinese people.”
Executive director for Campaign For Uyghurs (CFU), Rushan Abbas: “Philadelphia, the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution, should not be used as a platform for authoritarian propaganda.”
What Happens Next
Tense ties between China and the U.S. will be in the spotlight when President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet at a regional summit at the end of October in South Korea, and Trump is slated to visit China in early 2026.