This time next week we will be less than 24 hours away from the founding of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Will we still be allowed to call it the territory or will it have a different name? Article 60 of the Basic Law clearly defines the territory as a region and declares that its head of government 'shall be the chief executive of the Region'. However, according to his office, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region can still be referred to as a territory after July 1 because the word is considered neutral. Both the incoming and outgoing administrations are in agreement that, technically, we will be a region but in reality the use of territory is acceptable.
Some public and private organisations have dropped all colonial or royal references from their titles. Does this mean we can expect to see the same happening with streets and parks for instance? On the whole, no. The existing policy of not changing well-established street names - regardless of whether they bear royalist names or refer to former governors - will remain. Officials say no instructions to alter the names of roads, bays or villages have been issued by the Chief Executive-designate's office.
However, there have been hints from Mr Tung's office that Victoria Park, after its extension is complete, could be renamed Causeway Bay Park. Another change has seen the Royal Mail replaced by Hong Kong Post.
Will government departments and the officials who head them have to change their titles? Once again, the general principle of not changing well-established titles applies, except for two key changes. The Attorney-General becomes the secretary for justice and the Chief Secretary, Anson Chan Fang On-sang, becomes the administrative secretary. It is understood that Mrs Chan would prefer to keep her existing title. However, the use of the word 'chief' to describe her position is deemed unsuitable by Beijing.
What about the Legal Department and the Judiciary? The Legal Department will change its name to the Department of Justice and all references to the Crown will be deleted. For example, a Crown Counsel becomes a Government Counsel and a Crown Solicitor becomes a Law Officer (Civil Law). The Supreme Court is renamed the High Court and the High Court becomes the Court of First Instance, with the Chief Justice, Supreme Court, switching titles to Chief Judge, High Court.