AS THE WORLD tunes in to Hong Kong for an update on its progress five years after being handed back to Chinese rule, three recent events cast a shadow over the city's autonomy.
There have been indications that July 1, 2002, could prove to be a turning point in Hong Kong's development - with fears being raised of a further deterioration in freedoms during the second five years of Chinese sovereignty.
While foreign media scrutiny of Hong Kong has dwindled since the 1997 handover, perhaps lulling the Government into sensing that the world is no longer watching so closely, there has been a sharp rise in interest in recent days.
The BBC, CNN and international newspapers have all been carrying extensive updates on the Special Administrative Region's progress in recent days.
The first of a trio of blows came last weekend when US-based human rights activist Harry Wu Hongda revealed that he was denied permission to enter Hong Kong for the second time in two months.
The dissident's application for entry was refused by the Immigration Department with no reason provided. His previous unsuccessful attempt to enter was in April when he was turned away at Chek Lap Kok, again with no explanation except that it was for security reasons.
His treatment has aroused concern in the US Congress and the State Department issued a warning about limits on freedom of speech and association in the SAR.
