The Governor, Chris Patten, will mark his farewell policy address to the Legislative Council today with an 'extremely upbeat' assessment of post-handover Hong Kong.
Sources said Mr Patten's policy address, the last under British rule, would project a message of reassurance and confidence in the territory's future.
But it would also be tempered with a warning of the damaging consequences should China go ahead with its plan to set up a provisional legislature.
The sources said it should come as no surprise for the Governor to criticise the handover legislature, given Britain's clear and continued opposition to the plan.
However, they said the legislature issue would 'not overshadow his overall assessment of the future of Hong Kong'.
'It will be extremely upbeat. He will say Hong Kong has a fantastic future,' one source said.
'This is a self-confident Governor and administration ready and committed to delivering Hong Kong in good shape to the chief executive-designate.' The speech, titled 'Hong Kong: Transition', is expected to last about 11/2 hours. In it, Mr Patten will review his work over the past four years and claim 'job completed'.