10 years after handover, Hong Kong booming
When Britain's 156-year rule ended, in a lavish ceremony on the rainy midnight of June 30-July 1, 1997, the deal was that the city could keep its capitalist ways and civil liberties for 50 years.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19442588/

I forgot. Amazing how painless the "turnover" was, after all the fear. I remember citizens rushing to get their money out, set up dual citizenship, moving the family out etc.

I was there just before, just after, and some more times since, and it is surprising how unchanged things are (at least as viewed by an outsider).

I love the new airport compared to the old (although I really enjoyed being at eye level with the apartment residents as we flew into town).