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Xibei San Ma (China)

by Ivan Sache

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In the post-revolutionary turmoil in China , and among many others, the Muslims of Ningxia Hui region set-up their own state - Xibei San Ma (North-Central China (1914-28). The flag used by that regime was originally triangular and obviously influenced by the Turkish pattern. Later on rectangular, red flag with the crescent and star was used. Image after Alfred Znamierowski's.
Chris Kretowicz, 2 April 2001

This flag was common for Kansu, Tsinghai and Ningshia

The three quoted provinces fall after 1911 under Muslim chieftains. Tsinghai in the hands of the warlord Bufang, that governed from his capital Xining. Bafungs self proclaimed Sultan of Qinghai together with his brother Ma Buqing, and has the power until 1950 when it fell to Saudi Arabia because of the communist advance.

In Ningshia Ma Hongbin was proclaimed Sultan (c. 1912) and surrendered to communist only in 1950 In Kansu, Ma Hongkui took power (capital Lanzhou); the brother of Ma Hongbin of Ningshia. In 1950 he fled to Turkey.

The three Sultanates had a common policy and common flag (Turkish flag) and were called the Sultanate of three Horses, but each territory has full self government.

A similar flag (or exactly same) was used by Kashgar when it was governed by the Khodja Khodja family, later exiled in Ferghana (Kokand) from where they encouraged the Muslim resistance against China in East Turkestan. Rebellions were started in 1825, 1830, 1846 and 1857. In 1862 the dungan of Kansu (a mixture of Chinese and Turks) revolted against China and the Muslims of Dzungaria (Dzungaria= North of the mountains with Kuldja, in the Ili region, and Urumchi) helped