The Red Flag was produced by the Shanghai General Camera Factory, close to Shanghai between 1971 and 1977. Less than 200 cameras and even fewer examples of the wide-angle (35mm.) and telephoto (90mm.) lenses were completed. The camera was a direct copy of the Leica M4 and the lenses copies of Leitz lenses. The camera was made in direct orders of the government and was intended as a gift for state visitors to show the highest level of technology in China. It was later used by the Chinese press and delivered to official government agencies. It was never sold to the public.

This example dates from 1973.