(雨係六年前落 唔係今日落)
1997: Hong Kong handed over to Chinese control
Hong Kong has been handed back to the Chinese authorities - ending more than 50 years of British control.
The British flag was lowered over Government house - home to the last Governor Chris Patten for the past five years - at midnight last night.
The flag was presented to Mr Patten who was then driven off in his official Rolls Royce, before the car was handed over to Tung Chee-hwa, the territory's Chief Executive.
In his farewell speech, Mr Patten said: "The story of this great city is about the years before this night and the years of success that will surely follow it."
A huge fireworks display lit up Victoria Harbour at 2000 local time. One hour later, 4,000 guests sat down to a banquet in the Convention Centre on the harbour front, while 509 Chinese troops crossed the land border into Hong Kong.
Among the guests for the final handover ceremony at the Convention Centre were the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Chris Patten. Chinese dignitaries included President Jiang Zemin, Prime Minister Lee Peng, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and military leader General Zhang Wannian.
Final farewell
In Beijing the ceremony was watched on giant screens erected in Tiananmen Square.
At the stroke of midnight, the red digits of the countdown clock turned to zero and the handpicked crowd roared its approval.
Shortly afterwards, Prince Charles and Mr Patten boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia and waved a final farewell to the strains of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.
Just half-an-hour after the handover, there was a demonstration by the Hong Kong Democratic Party outside the Legislative Council building - but it did not delay the inauguration of the new Special Administrative Region government.
Tung Chee-hwa was sworn in as Hong Kong's new leader.
"This is a momentous and historic day...Hong Kong and China are whole again," said Mr Tung.
But he promised, "We value this empowerment and we will exercise our powers prudently and responsibly."
In Context
Discussions between Britain and China on the future of Hong Kong began in 1982.
After 22 rounds of formal talks, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Chinese counterpart, Zhao, signed the Joint Declaration in 1984.
In 1992, Chris Patten was sworn in as the last governor of Hong Kong with a remit to prepare for the colony's democratic future under Chinese rule.
Democratic elections were held in 1995 for the new Legislative Council.
Proposals to introduce controversial new security laws in 2002 galvanised public opinion to a degree not seen since the handover.
>>June 30, 2003 at 5:18:39 PM GMT+8
2003 年 6 月 30 日 星期一 【晴】
On this Day
1997: Hong Kong handed over to Chinese control
Hong Kong has been handed back to the Chinese authorities - ending more than 150 years of British control.
1963: Philby confirmed as 'third man'
Former Foreign Office official Harold Philby is confirmed as the "third man" in the Burgess and Maclean case.
1994: Arafat ends 27-year exile
The chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Yasser Arafat, returns to the Gaza Strip after 27 years in exile.
1987: Stock-broker guilty of corruption
One of the City's top investment bankers receives the first conviction for insider dealing since it became illegal.
2003: 2003? 2003 ....
On this day:
1971: Space mission ends in tragedy
Three Russian cosmonauts are found dead in their space capsule after it made what looked like a perfect landing in Kazakhstan.
1985: Beirut ordeal ends for US hostages
All 39 Americans being held captive by the Shia Muslim Amal militia in Lebanon are released, after almost three weeks in captivity.
1954: Three continents see eclipse of sun
Millions of people turn to look at the darkening skies as a total eclipse of the sun spreads from America through Europe and on to Asia.
1992: Thatcher takes her place in Lords
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher takes her place in the House of Lords as Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven.
and not only these,
1993: Koma Wong Ka Kui, the lead singer of an Asian Rock Band in HK, died days after an accident happened in Japon
1997: Christopher Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong, together with the colonial government of HK,which has been lasted for over one and a half century ... GONE! It's just, gone ...
On This Day
1995: US shuttle docks with Russian space station
American and Russian spacecrafts successfully dock in orbit for the first time in 20 years.
1974: First female president for Argentina
Isabel Peron is sworn in as interim leader of the Argentine Republic after her husband falls ill.
1986: Branson beats Atlantic speed record
Millionaire Richard Branson smashes the world record for the fastest powerboat crossing of the Atlantic.
2001: Diana fountain given go-ahead
The government announces a memorial in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, is to be built in London's Hyde Park.
1960: Welsh pit blast kills 37 miners
At least 37 men are killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine in Monmouthshire, Wales.
1976: Death sentence for mercenaries
Three Britons and an American are sentenced to death by firing squad for their roles during the Angolan civil war.
1958: Algeria prisoners freed to win Muslim support
France orders the release of 30 political prisoners to win Muslim support for plans on Algeria's future.
1991: Thatcher to retire from Commons
Margaret Thatcher is to give up her seat in the House of Commons at the general election.
(雨係六年前落 唔係今日落)
On this Day
1971: 蘇聯太空事故,三太空人亡
On This Day
哨牙大粒墨癦袁佩婷