As England and the world mourned, a factory in China was engulfed by an avalanche of orders for flags to commemorate the passing of the Queen.

Customers began placing rush orders with the Shaoxing Chuangdong Tour Articles Company, demanding flag deliveries within 90 minutes of news of the Queen’s death.

Workers at the plant near Shanghai set aside all other work and put in 14-hour days as the plant switched to making nothing but British-themed flags.

They turned out at least 500,000 the first week, according to general manager Fan Aiping.

Some are British flags to be carried by mourners or hung outside homes. Others show Elizabeth’s portrait and the years of her birth and death. They range from 21 to 150 centimetres wide and wholesale for about 7 yuan ($A1.50) each.

The first customer sent an order at 3am Chinese time for tens of thousands, according to Ms Fan. She said the 20,000 the factory had in stock were sent out that morning.

“The customer came to our factory directly to grab the products,” Ms Fan said. “Many of the flags weren’t even packaged. They were put in a box and shipped away.”

World Cup orders pushed aside

The factory had been making flags for the football World Cup before the monarch’s death.

Chuangdong has been in the industry since 2005 and produces flags for the World Cup and other sports events or national day celebrations. It also makes sports-themed scarves and banners.

Employees pay attention to news for events that might bring in orders.

“There is a business opportunity behind every news event,” Fan said.

Ni Guozhen, an employee since 2005, said she has learned about the world through her work.

“I’ve learned a lot about current events,” said Ms Ni, who was sewing flags with the Queen’s portrait.

“My knowledge has grown. Therefore I’m proud and happy that I’m making flags.”

Ms Ni remembers filling orders for British-themed flags for a royal wedding.

“There is a story behind each flag,” Ms

Fan said. “This time it’s about the Queen in the United Kingdom. They are buying these flags to mourn the Queen deeply.”

-AAP