Forget Y2K, as inhabitants of Hong Kong counted-down the end of 1996, "In the Year 2000" was an SNL skit yet unrealized; and as far as their PC's running Microsoft's Operating System crashing...??? Well you didn't need the onset of a new millennium to shatter Windows anyway!
No, what was really sweating the citizens of the then Crown Colony as 1997 approached, was the impending hand-over and return of "control" of the territory to the Communist mainland Chinese authorities.
While Britain's 99 year run (and a good one it was) would effectively end later that July, the transition (which had been hammered-out between UK and PRC officials over the previous 8 years) would not prove as disruptive and abrupt as people feared.
The reality: The "hand-over" would actually usher-in a continued 50 year period of autonomous rule for Hong Kong; retaining the same currency; laws and administrative customs as they had prior to July '97; with the ultimate red flag not being seen until the year 2047...
...plenty of time for both Hong Kong and Beijing to sort things out.
Meanwhile, partying last night in the Lan Kwai Fong entertainment area in Downtown Hong Kong, we joined the celebration at the Rugby Sevens Carnival -- celebrating the 40th year of this international tournament in HK -- kicking-off the start of "Rugby Week" in the City.
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