Indeed, even as they criticize Patten, the Chinese have pointedly refrained from chastizing Chan. With Hong Kong's handover now only 15 months away, basic questions about how its incoming power structure will mesh with its outgoing one have become urgent. Wong Hyo, chairman of the local Chinese Civil Servants' Association, thinks the transition won't be a problem so long as the neutrality of the bureaucrats is respected. They will quickly become involved in the SAR government's preparatory work. To avoid a potential conflict of allegiance, China has suggested that they leave the Patten administration.
Precise arrangements remain to be thrashed out between London and Beijing.
If such frictions leave Hong Kongers uneasy, that would only be natural. On March 31, more than 50,000 people queued up to beat a deadline on applications for British-issued travel documents. While many were indulging in old-fashioned procrastination, others plainly wanted the extra security and freedom of a passport recognized by about 80 countries. Holders of the SAR document, which becomes available only after the handover, have so far been promised visa-free entry only by Britain and Singapore. Coincidentally or otherwise, the PC made a welcomed move two days later.