The new state flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was hoisted for the first time in front of the City Hall in Myanmar's former capital of Yangon Thursday afternoon shortly after some laws concerning state flag, state seal and national anthem were enacted by the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

With the unchanged national anthem playing, the new state flag was hoisted, while downing the several decades-old state flag used since the previous socialist government.

The new state flag hoisting ceremony was attended by Yangon Mayor U Aung Thein Lin among other high ranking officials.

Myanmar started to use the new flag officially on Thursday after the SPDC announced through radio and television enactment of laws on state flag, state seal and national anthem.

The state flag, state seal and national anthem had been prescribed in the new state constitution of the country approved through a national referendum in May 2008.

The concerned laws were promulgated by the SPDC as a preparatory work to bring the constitution into operation before the parliamentary election set for Nov. 7, according to the announcement.