(24 Jun 1997) English/Nat
Hong Kong's Governor Chris Patten has sought to play down the early deployment of more Chinese troops into the territory before the change of sovereignty.
More than 500 People's Liberation Army (P-L-A) soldiers are due to cross into Hong Kong three hours before the midnight handover on June 30.
It's a week of last events for Governor Chris Patten.
Today (Tuesday), Patten held his final meeting with members of Hong Kong's Cabinet, the Executive Council.
Some members of ExCo including Anson Chan - the government's chief civil servant - will be key members of the new administration under Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's new leader.
At a press conference after the ExCo meeting, Patten played down the early deployment of P-L-A troops into the territory.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The garrison responsibility remains as it was until midnight. If this small deployment enables the transition at midnight to be conducted more smoothly, and if it ensures that the later arrival of the main PLA garrison is also implemented more smoothly, then I think people will welcome it."
SUPER CAPTION: Chris Patten, Hong Kong Governor
With just a week to go until he leaves Hong Kong for the last time, Patten's popularity is unusually high among the territory's six million people.
One fan was particularly vocal as Patten left for his next engagement.
UPSOT: (English)
"I love you too, but don't tell my wife.""
SUPER CAPTION: Chris Patten, Hong Kong Governor
It was with his wife Lavender that Patten greeted around-the-world helicopter pilot Jennifer Murray.
Murray touched down at Hong Kong's airport Tuesday on the latest leg of her 97 day global flight.
Hong Kong has been Murray's home for the last 30 years, and her schedule was timed to coincide with the handover to China.
The change of sovereignty is set to be marked by a series of demonstrations around the Territory.
Today the pro-democracy group, the Hong Kong Alliance announced they would stage a peaceful protest just yards from the site of the handover ceremony.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
''I think, of course, further down the line we are always are worried that the policy of the Hong Kong government will change. That they will try and stop us from holding similar demonstrations, but so far I think that it will be okay.''
SUPER CAPTION: Lee Cheuk-yan, Hong Kong Alliance
On the night of June 30, the Alliance protest will call for the release of dissidents jailed in China.
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