In New Territories, Chinese prepare to shift loyalties
June 28, 1997
Web posted at: 2:32 p.m. EDT (1832 GMT)From Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy
NEW TERRITORIES, Hong Kong (CNN) -- For years, Sek Kong village, a town in the largely rural New Territories of Hong Kong, serviced a nearby British military base. Most villagers say they are not too sorry to see Her Majesty's troops go.
In fact, they're building a memorial in Sek Kong marking the village's British invasion. A 35-foot-high obelisk will honor not the imperial troops, but the dozens of local citizens who died resisting them when the British seized the rural area in 1898.
"Our ancestors were very patriotic and fought the British for several days before being defeated," said village elder Tang Yat-Kau. "This is our country and our land. The British were invaders. Therefore we fought them, and that's why we're building this memorial."
For all the benefits the British brought to Hong Kong, in the 365-square mile New Territories, there is little love for the British. Tang says the villagers were discriminated against by the British administration.
"If anything happened on the street, the police used to beat up the Chinese people first. After the handover, Chinese will be governed by Chinese. So we are happy," he said.
And as she tended the temple honoring her ancestors who were here long before Hong Kong became a colony, Mrs. Lee, a farmer, said she is convinced things will get better. "The British didn't treat us fairly," she said. "The Chinese government will certainly do so."
The tradition of hostility to outsiders is strong in the New Territories, but there are some questions as to how much real enthusiasm there is for Beijing. For all the Chinese flags flying in the streets, until recently, many of the villagers pledged their loyalty to the rival Chinese nationalist government of Taiwan. Under the present circumstances, publicly changing loyalties appears both patriotic and prudent.
Whatever the case, they're planning to pull out all the stops for the handover. Several thousand Chinese troops are expected to march into Hong Kong in the early hours of July 1, and some will be billeted at the old British base nearby. The descendants of those who fought against the British a century ago will certainly be here to welcome them.
- Message Board: Hong Kong transfer
- Newsmaker Profile: Jiang Zemin - Chinese President
- Newsmaker Profile: Tung Chee-hwa - Hong Kong Chief Executive Appointee
- Video Almanac1984 - Hong Kong transfer agreement
Related stories:
- British flag lowered for last time at Hong Kong Government House - June 28, 1997
- China to send 4,000 troops to Hong Kong at handover - June 26, 1997
- U.S., Britain weaken Hong Kong protest - June 26, 1997
- Hong Kong's voices of democracy worry about future - June 26, 1997
Sound off on our message boards
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.