Few doubt that provisional legislature president Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai has a tremendous respect for the Basic Law. But perhaps her workload is getting too much to handle in these hectic times.
Last Friday, she was invited to speak at the seminar held by the Joint Committee of the Basic Law to mark the seventh anniversary of the mini-constitution.
She was among leaders like Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office deputy director Wang Fengchao, political commissar of the future garrison Xiong Ziren, and the chairman of Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, Gu Yongjiang.
When it came to her turn, Ms Fan began: 'I have to apologise before I start . . . The speech in your folder is one that has been given before. The one I have just handed round is the one I am making today.' The audience were stunned by Mrs Fan's mistake - but impressed by her frank admission.
A British Labour Government's commitment to Hong Kong? Don't hold your breath.
Not only is there no reference to the territory in its manifesto, but when our man in London asked for the Hong Kong briefing paper which the party's international section was advertising, he was surprised by the contents. It has only two paragraphs, which apportion blame to the Conservatives, and it is not even up to date.
Here it is in full: 'Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997. Labour is committed to ensuring that Hong Kong retains its way of life and democratic institutions after the handover.
