British flag lowered for last time at Hong Kong Government House
June 28, 1997
Web posted at: 2:27 p.m. EDT (1827 GMT)
HONG KONG (CNN) -- The British flag was lowered Saturday from
the Government House in Hong Kong during a tearful and
emotional ceremony that marked the official birthday of the
queen and bid an early farewell to the territory.
As the Union Jack gracefully moved down the flagpole for the
last time, a bagpipe echoed across Hong Kong playing "Afore
ye Go," a song that promises a future reunion.
Many of the British dignitaries on hand shed tears. Prince
Charles and outgoing Hong Kong governor Chris Patten stood
side-by-side, the prince standing proud and impassive, his
head looking straight forward.
As the two toasted the birthday of Queen Elizabeth, who
turned 71 on April 21, a brief
smile spread across Charles' face. But for most of the
ceremony, the heir to the British throne looked somber and
disheartened as if fighting back tears.
And as twilight crept over the lawn of the Government House
and the band struck up a rendition of "Amazing
Grace," a grim-looking Patten wiped a tear from his eye.
Prince Charles arrived in Hong Kong Saturday to formally hand
the 156-year-old colony back to China on July 1. He was
welcomed with a 21-gun salute aboard the royal yacht
Britannia, docked in Hong Kong's harbor.
In a gesture of friendship, the Union Jack and
Chinese flags were flown side-by-side over the cockpit of the
prince's aircraft after it landed.
Fears of China sovereignty
Earlier in the day, the most outspoken legislature in Hong
Kong's history lived up to its reputation by debating and
orating around the clock before disbanding for the last time
in history.
At the end of the outgoing legislature's final 23-hour
marathon session, lawmakers hugged, posed for group pictures,
and promised to keep fighting for democracy.
"We will leave for the time being. But like MacArthur said, I
shall return,"
-- Martin Lee, leader of the Democrats, the
largest party in the outgoing legislature.
|
In farewell speeches, many members frankly voiced fears about
Hong Kong's transition to Chinese sovereignty.
"After leaving colonial rule, we are going to enjoy even less
democracy and freedom," legislator Huang Chen-ya said. "We
should rise. We should strive for freedom and democracy."
Final preparations
With less than three days until the handover, Britain and
China were working to settle final details. On Saturday, the
two signed agreements for transfer of Hong Kong's archives,
along with debts and assets.
The formal midnight handover ceremony will be attended by
Chinese President Jiang Zemin, British Prime Minister Tony
Blair and a host of other dignitaries.
Related stories:
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.