IT is fashionable in Hong Kong these days, whenever we speak of the future, to speak of 1997 as if it marks a clean break in our history and as if the continuity hitherto will somehow be discontinued.
Speaking at the 175th Anniversary Speech Day of Ying Wa College, Chief Justice Sir Ti-liang Yang explained that it was enshrined in the Basic Law that many aspects of our life would go on.
Our lifestyle, education and banking systems, commerce and industry, freedoms and opportunities and, most importantly, legal system, will be preserved, he said.
''The laws now in force in Hong Kong - the very foundation upon which our whole society rests - will be maintained, and the bulk of the laws applied on the mainland shall not be applied in Hong Kong.'' The Chief Justice explained the three major changes that will take place.
''Firstly, the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court shall be Chinese citizens, who are permanent residents of Hong Kong.
''Secondly, Hong Kong's final appeals will be dealt with in Hong Kong by our own Court of Final Appeal, rather than by the Privy Council in London.'' Thirdly, the power of interpretation of the Basic Law will be vested in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.