Countdown to '97

SENIOR Chinese official Lu Ping yesterday began counting the days to the handover of Hong Kong with the help of an electronic display installed at the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing.

The device was donated by the state-owned Capital Iron and Steel Works, the China News Service said.

A ceremonial presentation attended by Mr Lu and a company representative (above left and right) was broadcast by state-run television exactly three years ahead of the change in sovereignty.

The electronic display showed there were 1,097 days until July 1, 1997.

Mr Lu said: ''We have to plan ahead, lay down our task and timetable and seize every second for the preparation for a smooth transition.''