Business as usual before HK handover
HONG KONG (JP): As the clock ticked away to greet the midnight of June 30, the moment when Britain cedes Hong Kong back to Chinese rule, people in parts of the colony were busy yesterday making final preparations for the handover ceremony.
But contrary to what had been anticipated, most people did not show great enthusiasm over the return of their territory to Beijing's rule.
Nor did they show any signs of anxiety over the possible downpour or planned protest by pro-democracy activists which might ruin the festive mood of the handover ceremony marking the end of Britain's 156-year rule.
China and Britain are concerned that bad weather will dampen festivities.
The ceremony will be held indoors at the magnificent new harbor Hong Kong Convention Center, but many celebratory events, including a military parade, fireworks and a multimillion dollar extravaganza of decorated barges, gates and traditional lion and dragon dances, are scheduled for outdoors.
Pro-democracy campaigners, who have won Western sympathy, had hinted they might disrupt the midnight gala which will be attended by some 4,000 VIP guests and telecast worldwide.
"Most Hong Kong people are not too excited over welcoming the handover. In fact, the Chinese on the mainland feel happier than we do," a Hong Kong doctor said.
He said the change of rule could pose employment problems as many fear an influx of mainland Chinese seeking better jobs than those available in communist China.
Shops on both the Hong Kong and Kowloon sides opened despite a five-day public holiday, which ends Wednesday. Besides several spots near the Convention Center in Causeway Bay, most areas ran as usual.
Only a few shops displayed China's flag - red with five yellow stars - while most taxis hoist the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's new flag.
There were long queues outside Government House yesterday as people armed with cameras and video recorders took final shots of the British colonial government.
Large crowds took advantage of the bright sunshine to photograph the Union Jack flags hanging from poles outside Governor Chris Patten's residence and the nearby Central Government Office which bears the colonial government's coat of arms.
Later in the day the crowds became so big that they had to stand in line for their turn to take their souvenier snapshots.
British colonial symbols are vanishing fast.
Many royal crests have already gone from post boxes and Queen Elizabeth's head has disappeared from postage stamps. By today the last emblems and insignia will have been removed.
Among the dignitaries who arrived yesterday to represent their countries at tonight's ceremony was Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas.
Alatas will be among thousands of official guests at the handover ceremony. Chinese President Jiang Zemin and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be present as will Prince Charles.
The British heir arrived Saturday afternoon in a chartered B-747, flying British and Chinese flags. Joining the prince's entourage were Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, former premier Edward Heath and Britain's ambassador to China, Sir Len Appleyard. Blair was scheduled to arrive later today. (ego)
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