Construction was rushed, due to strained relations between China and Russian Empire over the Ili River in Central Asia.
In September 1881, when two cruisers Chaoyong and Yangwei ordered from Birkenhead, England were sent to China, Li Hongzhang realized a triangular ensign was unique among naval flags of other countries.
Chinese cruiser Yangwei, a late Qing-dynasty warship with the Beiyang Fleet
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