The current visit by the British Foreign Minister responsible for Hong Kong, Mr Jeremy Hanley, has been overshadowed by demonstrations over the Diaoyu Islands, the rush of nominations to join the Selection Committee and speculation on who will be the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
However, the British Government must not be allowed to forget its obligation to the Hong Kong people, who will be delivered to communist rule next year.
When Mr Hanley meets legislative councillors this afternoon, he will be asked how Britain intends to deal with the litany of unfinished business relating to the handover.
Despite condemnation by Chinese officials that Britain is trying to interfere with the setting up of the SAR Government, the British are being consulted because the Chinese regard British co-operation as important to a smooth transition.
A member of the Preparatory Committee told me the committee is merely an advisory body since many decisions are made only after consulting Britain.
Mr Hanley's recent visit to Beijing came in the wake of Beijing's latest attacks on Britain for interfering with the selection of the Chief Executive. Yet Chinese officials chose to discuss this very topic with Mr Hanley. Hypocrisy aside, it is evident the British have far more say on the subject than Hong Kong people.
Meanwhile, Mr Hanley must be mystified by the media which treated the announcement by Sir Ti Liang Yang that he wanted to be Chief Executive as if a candidate had entered an electoral race in a democratic society.