| Abstract | An impasse over the detailed arrangements for 1997's handover ceremony in Hong Kong may be set to continue, despite a high-level push to resolve remaining differences between Britain and China. At the root of the disagreement was the fact the two sides are seeking very different things from the occasion. China views the transfer of sovereignty as a solemn event which should not celebrate colonial rule. As a consequence Beijing would prefer the main focus of the handover to be July 1, 1997 when Britain has withdrawn. London, by contrast, wants a ceremony rich in pageantry in the hope that this might in some way dignify its withdrawal. And in turn it would like to see June 30, 1997 as the high point of the transfer. Also, disagreements over what level of security should accompany the handover, who should provide it and - an obviously sensitive point - how potential protesters should be handled are the conflicts between the two sides. |
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