Hong Kong prepares to become Chinese

December 25, 1995
Web posted at: 12:30 a.m. EST (0530 GMT)

From Correspondent Andrea Koppel

HONG KONG (CNN) -- In classrooms throughout the British colony of Hong Kong, thousands of civil servants are studying Putonghua -- also known as Mandarin Chinese. And while some are now required to learn it, others have come to class because they think it would help advance their careers.

Eighteen months before mainland China resumes sovereignty of the colony, its presence can be felt more than ever. From congested downtown Central to bustling back alleys, the smooth sounds of Putonghua are now heard regularly amidst the more guttural Cantonese and Queen's English.

But it's not the change in language which worries the colony's 5.5 million residents. More than a decade after the Chinese government first reassured Britain and Hong Kong that the colony would be governed according to a "one country-two systems" formula, apprehension among locals is growing.

As 1997 approaches, many say those old reassurances are sounding increasingly hollow next to new announcements from Beijing. The Chinese government plans to water down the colony's bill of rights, and eventually send thousands of the People's Liberation Army's troops to patrol Hong Kong streets.

"I'm afraid the key word as far as Beijing is concerned on its policy on Hong Kong can be summarized in one word -- control," said Martin Lee of United Democrats of Hong Kong. "They are not going to wait until 1997 to exercise control."

After last fall's legislative elections -- in which Hong Kong Democrats scored a decisive victory over pro-China candidates -- China had another announcement. The legislature, too, will be replaced after the hand-over.

"There's always the shift of power. You know, the new owner coming to take over," said legislator Paul Cheng. "As we ... get closer to July 1, 1997, there will be a tendency that the incoming owner, so to speak, will gradually get more involved."

With that in mind, more and more companies are looking to hire these who know China best -- former mainlanders who have been educated overseas.

"The reality is that increasingly China, at every level from the textbooks in the classroom to the welfare check for grandmother, is insisting on having a say," said Michael DeGolyer of the Hong Kong Transition Project.

Even with thousands of hours left before the clock in Beijing's Tiananmen Square ticks down to that historic moment, in Hong Kong there is no need to watch the time. Even before the British leave, the Chinese are already there.

Hong Kong prepares to become Chinese

| CONTENTS | SEARCH | CNN HOME PAGE | MAIN WORLD NEWS PAGE |