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Hong Kong ceremony foreshadows end of an era
August 26, 1996
Web posted at: 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 GMT)From Correspondent Mike Chinoy
HONG KONG (CNN) -- An annual ceremony, the 51st, marking Hong Kong's liberation from Japan at the end of World War II Monday was held for the last time as the British colony prepares to revert to Chinese rule in 1997.
In celebrating this year's liberation day, the British military didn't scrimp on pomp and pageantry.
Marching to the band of the Corps of Royal Engineers, a group of about 50 soldiers of the Royal Gurkha Rifles paraded past the Cenotaph, a memorial to the World War II dead.
Members of the Royal Navy and Air Force also took part in honoring those who made sacrifices in defense of this remote imperial outpost.
There was a two-minute silence, and Commander British Forces Maj. Gen. Bryan Dutton laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial, followed by representatives of veterans, former prisoners of war and others.
But there was an acute sense of poignancy - and a bit of anxiety - in the occasion. That's because a year from now Hong Kong will no longer be a British colony, but a part of the People's Republic of China.
Once the Union Jack is lowered in Hong Kong at midnight June 30, 1997, the territory becomes a Special Administrative Region of China.
Along with England's century and a half rule over this land, the traditional Liberation Day won't exist anymore.
Beijing has made clear that it will replace the holiday on a different date with another, Chinese-oriented celebration marking the victory over Japan.
The sense of regret at the passing of an era was evident. "It's sad," said Eugene Yourieff, a World War II veteran. "But you have to live with the times. So you can't change it."
After the 1997 hand over, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) relieves the British military of command here.
The general responsible for the future PLA garrison in Hong Kong visited recently and reassured worried locals that his men will play the same benign role as the British troops.
But not everyone is convinced. This anniversary underscores fears about Chinese political interference in Hong Kong.
There is concern whether the territory's colonial heritage will be preserved., especially in view of China's harsh suppression of pro- democracy protesters at Tiananmen Square and its penchant for heavy-handed suppression of dissent.
Some veterans have vowed to continue the remembrance each year on the last Monday in August -- even if they have to move to another site.
But there's little doubt that things will be different next year. "It's the end of an era, and those that take over must decide for themselves," one resident attending the ceremony said.
"This should continue after 1997. The dead, they died for Hong Kong, for China," added a Hong Kong Chinese veteran.
Related stories:
- Britain will press China on human rights in Tibet - July 17, 1996
- Hong Kong: Fears, cheers about China's takeover - June 30, 1996
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