Ray Van Eng (07/01/97)                 

July 1, 1997 00:00 am -- this hour and day belong to Hong Kong as the world focuses its attention on the Pearl of the Orient or the Manhattan of the East.

The changing of the guards has taken place as China assumed control of this former British colony after 156 years of colonial rule. The handover at this early morning hour was a peaceful, gracious and cordial affair.

Among the dignitaries present were Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Prince Charles, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and others.

Just before mid-night the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and the Chinese five star was raised. Outside, in Victoria Harbor, 27 tons of fireworks in nearly 20,000 bursts lit up the sky help celebrate this historical event.

Some 90 minutes later, as Prince Charles and Governor Patten were on-board the Royal Yacht Britannia sailing off into the night bound for the Philippines, the British colonial era in Asia is finally coming to an end with the last of the colonies in this region reverted back to Chinese control.

Historians and journalists will no doubt have their say on whether it was the British's non-elected governing body or the enterprising spirit of the people of Hong Kong that has the most influence in shaping the astonishing success of this territory, but we want to savor this moment and celebrate with the people of Hong Kong, many of whom have breath a sigh of relief in the re-unification with the motherland and be part of a greater whole.

The passing of the torch, for better or worse, is part of their destiny. One of the best qualities of this group of people is their resilient ability to adapt and prosper even under the most adverse conditions. We wish them the very best and even greater achievements in the future.

There are about 6.4 million people in Hong Kong. Excluding tourists, 98% of the population is ethnic Chinese.

The Official Hong Kong Government web site is fully bilingual and it is focusing on the government's agenda.

Tai Chi can be many things to many people -- a religious practice, a way to 'move' with the forces of nature from both within and without, or just a soft aerobic exercise.

Live radio and television webcast from the Chinese University/RTHK web site. A relatively new site that has just launched in cyber space on June 23.

The Hong Kong Tourist Association expects to have 100,000 arriving daily because of the historical changeover event.

The Official Chinese government Xinhua web site is actually designed by the famed U.S. ad agency Poppe Tyson. Waking up to a series of bad press mainly on the concerns of the political stability of Hong Kong under the Chinese rule, China is shaping up its image in the media which these days include the Internet.

Bamboo scaffolding is a constant dangerous high wire act in Hong Kong as the territory is a non-stop construction site.

The Hong Kong 1997 Countdown

Dim Sum -- a wide variety of dumplings for every taste most often served during noon time, can be both an appetizer and the main course.

The comprehensive CNN Hong Kong news web site was at one time banned by the Chinese government.

A popular regional newspaper site is the South China Morning Post. It is an independent publication that has been around for a long time.

During the Chinese new year, Faye Chun -- Chinese handwritings on red papers are put up at homes or in the offices as blessings or protections to ward off evil spirits. Gold and red are 'positive' colors.

ABC News Handover special

The abacus is an old Chinese instrument for math calculations. Many business people in Hong Kong still use this ancient device for accounting tasks.

It is estimated that Hong Kong has about 20 family businesses worth more than US$3 Billion each. Millionaires in Hong Kong are often compared to stars in the universe due to their great numbers.

This type of floating seafood restaurants is inspired by Lee Tai Pak, an ancient Chinese poet and expert swordsman who one night got drunk and jumped into the water to chase after the moon's reflection. He never got back.

Want to check out every web site in Hong Kong, you can probably find it here at Hong Kong World Wide Web Database. A comprehensive compilation published by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Looking beyond the concrete forest of Hong Kong high-rises, and you can still find the tranquillity of the countryside within a tight 413 sq. miles of land.

The Handover Unity party is not a Chinese government sponsored web site, but rather a place for some cyber entertainment. It is party time, the site seems to say.

Noodle making the old fashion way -- by hand.

In their own words, the Hong Kong Freeway is "created to enhance the public sphere by encouraging wider use of the Internet in the public sector. It bridges over public bodies, non- government communities and international communities by encouraging the free flow of information, participation and dialogue across these three sectors..."

Palm reading and fortune telling adds to the mystery of the Hong Kong culture which is deeply rooted in thousands of years of Chinese tradition.

For United States visitors coming to Hong Kong to get a close up look at what the fuss is all about, be sure to check out the U.S. Consular Information Sheet: Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tourist Association who expects to have more than one million visitors coming during July and August.

The Dragon boat race is perhaps the best reminder that it is unity, team work and an understanding that we are all in the same boat...Good luck, Hong Kong!