It's the most sought-after invitation in the world - an undistinguished card offering guests the chance to witness history.
The invitations for the midnight handover ceremony are in diplomatic bags and the mail, making their way to 3,600 VIPs, foreign ministers, statesmen and guests from around the world.
But while the ceremony is a once in a lifetime event, the design of the invitation card has disappointed experts, who labelled it 'boring'.
Measuring 20 by 15 centimetres with a gilt edge, it is larger than invitations to most official functions. It features the British coat of arms and the Chinese national emblem.
'I don't think it lives up to the event,' said graphic designer Karen Ma.
British and Chinese officials in the Joint Liaison Group had to approve the design.
