Hong Kong celebrities have taken to Chinese social media to defend the Chinese national flag one after another, including martial arts star Jackie Chan.

"I'm a flag bearer"

The hashtag "I'm a flag bearer" started trending on microblogging platform Weibo following an incident on August 3, where Hong Kong protesters climbed up a flagpole in Tsim Sha Tsui, removed the Chinese national flag, and tossed it into Victoria Harbour.

Protesters had defied a police ban and marched to the area after an anti-government rally.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam, as well as the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, have condemned the action, with the latter saying the action insulted "national dignity."

Five people -- four men and a woman -- have since been arrested in relation to the case.

Previously, on July 21, protesters have also vandalised the emblem of the representative office of Beijing in Hong Kong.

Charmaine Sheh

However, some Hong Kong celebrities working in mainland China have joined the movement of "defending the Chinese national flag" by calling themselves "flag bearers".

Charmaine Sheh of Yanxi Palace fame received backlash from Hong Kong netizens when she took to Weibo on Thursday, Aug. 15, to express her love for mainland China, saying that China is her country, while Hong Kong is her hometown.

Her caption was part of her retweet of a post by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, which said that Hong Kong is a part of China forever.

Hongkongers disappointed with her stance flooded her IG page with criticisms.

"You're born and bred here in Hong Kong, remember where you first debuted. Hongkongers supported you and helped you gain fame, but now you've turned around and started worshipping the commies? Sorry, but screw your mother."

"Charmaine Sheh, I've liked you for around 10 years, but now you grovel to the commies, screw your mother. From now on, I won't tell others you used to be my goddess, you're dirty and pretentious. Slutty snake (snake in Chinese is pronounced the same as her surname, Sheh). 

'Liked' IG post on anti-extradition bill protest

Previously, Sheh came under fire on Chinese social media when netizens discovered that she had 'liked' an Instagram (IG) post on the anti-extradition bill protest.

After being criticised by Chinese netizens, she wrote another post that explained she simply liked the post in question as she knew the photographer who took the picture.

But she said that after she learnt of the contents of the photograph, she was shocked.

She further said she loves both China and Hong Kong.

Her explanation did not go down well with both camps.

Mainland Chinese netizens did not buy her explanation, pointing out that she had 'liked' a picture by luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana, which had received overwhelming backlash from Chinese citizens for 'racist' remarks made by one of the founders.

Hong Kong netizens, on the other hand, felt disappointed by her backtrack on the issue.

Angelababy

Hong Kong-based model and actress Angelababy, who was born in Shanghai before moving to Hong Kong, also proclaimed her loyalty to China, saying she is a "flag bearer".

While Chinese netizens were supportive of her stance, some commenters have found fault with her political view.

"Follow whoever you marry, dearie, just give up your Hong Kong citizenship and become a true Chinese."

"You're not a Hongkonger. Hong Kong does not welcome you. Hong Kong citizens will hit you each time they see you."

K-pop star Jackson Wang

K-pop star Jackson Wang, whose grandparents were from Shanghai, also took to Weibo to say he is also a defender of the national flag.

Wang's post triggered a great deal of backlash from Hong Kong netizens, some of whom revealed his home address in South Korea and his schedule in Hong Kong, according to CCTV.

They also allegedly threatened to ambush him at the airport, and film his reaction while tearing the Chinese national flag up in front of him.

Wang's stance has not sat well with some Hongkongers, who voiced their differing opinion on his social media.

"To earn RMB, you can even forget your roots. Just don't say that you're a Hongkonger. Don't ruin our reputation. Shame on you."

"If you still think you're a Hongkonger, please understand first what has happened in Hong Kong starting from June before you make any public comments. Otherwise, please delete the 'Hong Kong' from your bio. Also, as a Hong Kong person, have you been using Simplified Chinese while growing up?" 

Top image adapted via IG pages of Charmaine Sheh, Angelababy & Jackson Wang