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British flag lowered for last time at Hong Kong Government House

British flag lowered 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.

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The Royal Hong Kong
Police Band
QuickTime movies of the band's performance at the Government House ceremonies
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Snapshots

Images from the ceremonies at Hong Kong's Government House
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3 min.30 sec. VXtreme video
Hong Kong Party Time

Some are partying for joy. Others like there's no tomorrow. Many pick up any chance for a party. Whatever the reasons, as CNN correspondent Richard Blystone reports, Kong Kong residents are celebrating with gusto.

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.

 
Hong Kong Special Section
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