Thanks to the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Lu Ping , the issues of freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly have come under the international spotlight.
Under colonial rule, Hong Kong has freedom but no democracy. With the approach of 1997, there is a general expectation that many freedoms will diminish when the British depart.
Thus Mr Lu's remarks that freedom of the press and freedom of assembly will be curbed touched a raw nerve, though they did not come as a surprise.
In the past two weeks, Mr Lu has become a 'salesman' for Hong Kong - appearing on American television and touring Asian cities to pacify doubters about the colony's future under Chinese rule.
When asked if Hong Kong will have press freedom after 1997, Mr Lu said yes, but the media would not be allowed to report on two Chinas or the independence of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
When forced to clarify, Mr Lu drew a distinction between 'report' and 'advocate', saying the former would be permitted while the latter would not.