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History
The city was the capital of China under the Zhou dynasty (1066256 BC) and the Qin dynasty (221206 BC). As capital of the Western Han dynasty (206 BCAD 8), it was called Chang'an (Everlasting Peace); and as capital of the the Tang dynasty (618906) it was known as Siking (Western Capital). The Manchus named the city Xi'an. The city had several short-lived official changes of name in the 20th century until it reverted to Xi'an from 1943. The imperial court retired here after the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.
Green stands for the forests and agriculture. Gold symbolizes the country's mineral wealth. Blue represents the sea. Effective date: 30 June 1964.
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