Today marks the beginning of the most important year in Hong Kong's history - 1997 is no longer a concept, it is a reality.
For the more than six million residents, 1997 is the year of changes - Hong Kong will have a new sovereign, a new chief executive and a new executive assembly and the provisional legislature will be installed.
Hong Kong people are greeting these changes with mixed feelings. Some view the changes with trepidation and suspicion. Others take all new initiatives and plans as sure-fire improvements for a better future. But most people are adopting a wait-and-see attitude.
Most Hong Kong people accept that changes are inevitable, but they hope the worst features of China will not be imported to Hong Kong.
Local people know there will be a new-style leadership after the changeover, but they are hoping that the tradition of open government and accountability of public officials can stay intact.
Until now, Hong Kong people have seen some encouraging signs - the chief executive-designate, Tung Chee-hwa, has adopted the Hong Kong practice, opening himself to direct questioning by the media as Governor Chris Patten does and suggesting that he does not mind criticism.