The body will be disbanded at year's end. From next January, the pace of the transition will pick up noticeably. More China-nominated bodies will begin work. A Preparatory Committee will be set up to cover almost all areas of the handover, from the transfer of government assets to applicability of local laws after 1997. Most importantly, it will nominate a Selection Committee.
Many analysts see complications ahead.
If it were, Chan would get the nod. But her relations with China will be made a lot more difficult by last week's Legco election. Within hours of the results being announced, she was having to defend the poll against Chinese accusations that it was unfair. I suspect she will often find herself in awkward situations like that. In the end, she may have to settle for her present position of chief secretary.