It was felt that if the flotilla was to fly an internationally recognized ensign this might reduce the risk of capture and imprisonment but the British Admiralty would not sanction such an ensign without China's explicit consent. Although the Tongzhi Emperor had decreed that the Chinese flag would be a yellow triangle with a blue dragon trying to catch a red ball, Prince Kong did not mention this in his written instructions to Lay, and thus Lay himself designed an ensign to be used by the flotilla.