I refer to David Chu's column which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on May 2, where he propounds his view that Hong Kong's royal clubs have the option to retain royal titles after the change of sovereignty. Mr Chu, as a Preparatory Committee member, might be thought to be authoritative in this matter.

I should point out to your readers, however, that three other Preparatory Committee members, one of whom is a member of the National People's Congress and another a delegate to the National People's Political Consultative Conference, have advised me that, on balance, it would be wise to voluntarily drop our Royal title. Joint Liaison Group members consulted informally have given the same advice.

Whether the future Chief Executive would agree to be our Patron if we remained 'Royal' and whether the future Navy would give us the same support as the Royal Navy has in the past, are issues special to us.