Chapter 19 end

December 11, 1996 was an important date in Hong Kong's history.This is a new chapter, which will be recorded in the annals of Chinese history with its far-reaching influence.This page was opened by a Chinese named Dong Chee-hwa.On this day, in the secret ballot of 400 members of the Selection Committee of the first government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Tung Chee-hwa surpassed the other two candidates with an absolute advantage of 320 votes, and was elected as the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. At 6:00 in the morning, Dong Chee-hwa got up on time as usual.This is a habit he has developed over the years, and the biological clock in his body will wake him up every minute.He has a strong plan in his work, and everything is done step by step. His stability and stability once benefited his Dong Group a lot. Now, his character and disposition will bring a bright future to Hong Kong. .His home is in a building in Jiahuiyuan, No. 3 Majixian Gap Road, Hong Kong.It's a plain old building.It is a small neem tree in the jungle of high-rise houses in Hong Kong.However, this is his home, and he has built a warm nest on this humble neem tree.

Some people say that this building is more like an old ship. It has been sailing on the waters of Hong Kong for many years, and it has gone through the stormy waves, but it is better than walking in the garden.This is an old ship of great luck, an old ship with the protection of God. But more importantly, there have been two generations of commendable captains on this ship, who are the myths of Hong Kong. The old captain is the famous world ship king Dong Haoyun.The new captain is Dong Jianhua, the son of Dong Haoyun.Now is the time when the new captain Tung Chee-hwa is in charge.Dong Chee-hwa went downstairs to practice Tai Chi, dancing in the shadows of trees and flowers.This is the show he has to put on every day.Even today, when his personal fate was being decided, he showed no particular expression.As usual, he was meticulous in every move, and he recovered after playing for 30 minutes.Then, he took a 10-minute walk with his wife, Zhao Hongping.

After breakfast, Dong Chee-hwa lay on the bamboo chair and read the morning newspaper.In the newspapers, his name appeared frequently, as well as the names of his opponents in the election, they were Yang Tieliang and Wu Guangzheng.A few days ago, the three of them stood out from 31 candidates. He had 206 votes, Yang Tieliang had 82 votes, and Wu Guangzheng had 54 votes.Yang Tieliang is the former chief justice of Hong Kong, and Wu Guangzheng is the son-in-law of shipping tycoon Pao Yu-kang. They both have strong competitiveness.Although he is far ahead in terms of the number of votes, it is still hard to say who will win.

Just a few years ago, Tung Chee-hwa was not very well-known in Hong Kong.Compared with his father, Dong Haoyun, and giants such as Bao Yugang, Huo Yingdong, and Li Ka-shing, he is almost unknown to the public. Dong Chee-hwa's father, Dong Haoyun, is known as the world's seven largest ship kings. In the early 1980s, Dong’s Group has become the world’s top shipping group, owning more than 149 cargo ships, container ships, oil tankers, passenger ships and bulk carriers, with a total load of more than 12 million tons, more than the fleet of the late Greek shipping king. It will be twice as much.

Another world shipping tycoon in Hong Kong, Yu-Kang Pao, owns 210 ships with a total deadweight tonnage of 39,020.79 million tons. However, in terms of qualifications, Dong Haoyun is indeed much earlier than Bao Yugang.In a sense, Dong Haoyun is also Pao Yugang's first teacher in shipping. As early as the early 1940s, Dong Haoyun registered and established the China Shipping Trust Company in Hong Kong, becoming one of the earliest pioneers in the development of maritime shipping in modern China.At this time, Bao Yugang was still working in the bank, and had hardly even been on a ship.

The opportunity for Dong Haoyun's fortune in shipping began with the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950.The United States has changed from abandoning Taiwan to actively supporting Taiwan. It wants to use Taiwan as a springboard that can not only attack North Korea but also threaten China, so it pours a large amount of funds into the island of Taiwan.Dong Haoyun has a very close relationship with the upper echelons of the United States and Taiwan, so he has received a lot of funds from the United States to aid Taiwan.During this period of time, he built and purchased a large number of new ships, and successively added cargo ships and luxury passenger ships such as Ruyun, Lingshan, Yiyun, and Oriental Queen, and became the leader of Hong Kong's shipping industry for a while.

Pao started his career in the shipping industry in 1955.After he put all his belongings of more than 200,000 yuan on a ship named Jin'an, he made a special trip to Dong Haoyun's residence to ask for advice.Bao Yugang is seven years younger than Dong Haoyun and has just started, so he should be a junior in front of Dong Haoyun.However, Dong Haoyun received him very warmly, and did not underestimate Bao Yugang because of his weakness.Dong Haoyun introduced to Pao Yugang a lot of experience in the development of the shipping industry, but the most talked about was how to stand up for the Chinese and how to compete with the Western maritime overlords.

Anyone who knows Dong Haoyun knows that every time he buys a new boat or builds a new boat, he names his beloved boat and composes a poem accordingly, just like treating his own children.And every time he named his name, he always liked to name it with the word "Oriental", such as Oriental Queen, Oriental Gorgeous, Oriental Youhua, Oriental Overseas, etc., which is the name of the company in the future. He also often starts with "Oriental". , is to be proud of China in the east of the world.When his huge fleet named after the Orient was hunting and cruising in the five oceans, his patriotic mood was soaring, swaying between the sky and the water...

Once, Dong Haoyun participated in the launching ceremony of the 300,000-ton giant ship in Sasebo, Japan.This is the largest ship he has ever been in the shipping industry, and it is also the unique largest ship in the world.However, when the sound of military music, firecrackers, and people screaming for celebration suddenly sounded, Dong Haoyun hid aside and burst into tears.A friend asked him why, and he said that the national anthems of Japan, Singapore, and Libya were played at the ceremony just now, but the national anthem of China was not played. He felt unbalanced, so he was sad.Because the ship was made in Japan, loaned by Singapore, and registered in Libya, the national anthems of these three countries were played, which is also the usual situation in the international shipping industry.But as the ship's owner, he grieves over not being able to hear his father's national anthem.

From Dong Haoyun, Bao Yugang saw his broad mind and ambition, saw his national integrity and character.Dong Haoyun is very affectionate and loves people all his life. In his huge fleet, he is both the captain and the sailor. They will still be united as one, and will never defect and flee. There are many examples of Dong Haoyun moving people with emotion, just one example is as follows: Ma Sihong, the brother of Ma Sicong, is a famous violin player.When he lived in New York, the United States, he often lingered in an antique shop, and if he didn't go there for a few days, he would lose his mind.It turns out that there is a violin made by a famous artist here, with pure sound quality and exquisite exquisiteness, but the price is too high, which costs 7,000 US dollars.Ma Sihong is shy and can't afford it, but he can afford it. He comes here to try the piano every day. After a long time, he can't help himself like a lover.Dong Haoyun somehow found out about his secret, and he donated 7,000 U.S. dollars without hesitation, and presented the precious violin to Ma Sihong, who loves the piano.

A person in the business world who has nothing to do with musicians actually spends a lot of money to help a poor musician, not to mention his subordinates, who are brothers who have shared weal and woe for many years. How should he behave? Such tender care for them! Bao Yugang learned a lot from Dong Haoyun.Dong's mansion learned scriptures, which made him benefit endlessly throughout his life.Bao Yugang soon became prosperous. One year later, he owned 7 new ships, changed the company's name to Global Shipping Company, and jointly opened up the first international route from Japan to India with a Japanese freight company. When Pao bought a new ship, HSBC Hong Kong provided him with great assistance.However, HSBC also took a different approach and created a precedent for banks to get involved in shipping. Sanders, the former director of the credit department who had a close relationship with Bao Yugang, was also promoted to the head of HSBC. Two years later, Sandas worked closely with Pao Yu-Kang, and HSBC invested in the global shipping company.Bao Yugang also joined the board of directors of HSBC Bank, becoming the first Chinese to enter the board of directors of HSBC Bank. From 1961 to 1968, in nearly seven years, Pao's fleet reached 50 ships.By 1977, Bao Yugang's fleet had exceeded 13,444,757 tons. By the 1980s, he had owned 210 ships of various types, with a total tonnage of 20.79 million tons, ranking first in the world. Dong Haoyun and Bao Yugang are both natives of Zhejiang, and they are of the same spirit. They galloped side by side, created a miracle that attracted the attention of the world in the vast sea, and made contributions to the development of the world shipping industry. In 1982, just as Dong Haoyun admitted to expand into other fields and advance to the computer and aircraft manufacturing industries, he died of a heart attack in Hong Kong. As a result, Dong's huge fleet fell on Dong Jianhua, Dong's eldest son. Dong Chee-hwa was born in Shanghai on May 29, 1937.He is the eldest son of Dong, and there are younger brother Dong Jiancheng, older sister Dong Jianping, second younger sister Dong Xiaoping, and third younger sister Dong Suping. Among the two sons, Dong Jianhua is the key training target of Dong Haoyun.His younger brothers and sisters all went to aristocratic schools, but he had to go to a Chinese school in order to learn Chinese well. Dong Chee-hwa lived in Shanghai until he was 11 years old.At that time, his home was in Villa No. 5, Jianguo West Road, Shanghai.This is a two-storey small bungalow with an area of ​​about 80 square meters on each floor. There is a small garden in front of the bungalow. Dong Chee-hwa and his four siblings were all born here.Parents, children and nanny live upstairs, and the two downstairs are living room and dining room.There are two rooms upstairs, one is the bedroom of Dong Haoyun and his wife, and the other is the residence of Dong Jianhua's five children and the nanny.The room is about 15 square meters, and there are 6 people to live in, so the living conditions are relatively crowded. When Tung Chee-hwa was 11 years old, he moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai with his parents and finished middle school in Hong Kong. In 1960, 23-year-old Tung Chee-hwa graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Liverpool in the UK.After graduation, he did not return to Hong Kong, but went to the United States under his father's instruction.He went to the United States and worked for the most famous General Motors Corporation in the world. He worked there for another four years, which was equivalent to going to college again.While working in the United States, although he was the most ordinary employee, he had lofty ambitions in his heart. He absorbed the essence of modern American business management into his mind.It is because of this part-time job experience that he will have a series of successes in the future in charge of OOCL and the huge Dong's fleet. When talking about his father, Dong Chee-hwa said: My father is a person with strong traditional concepts and strong feelings for the motherland. He taught us since childhood that we should be proud of being Chinese and that we should be hardworking. Although we had a private car at home when we were young, But my father never let me sit, but let me take the bus. Dong Chee-hwa was deeply influenced by his father, and he lived a very simple life.His flat hair has never changed since he was a child.The nylon strap labor watch he wears has not been replaced in more than 20 years.His clothes are always in a single color, and he likes to wear dark gray suits and black leather shoes.It is said that when he bought clothes, he bought several sets of the same style of clothes at a time, and kept wearing them for many years without changing other styles.He is never fussy about his meals, simple and fast.He only used 4 rooms in his home in Jiahuiyuan. The interior decoration is simple and plain, focusing on practicality rather than luxury. In 1961, after Dong Chee-hwa married Zhao Hongping, whom he had known for many years, they had two sons and a daughter, the eldest daughter Dong Liyun, sons Dong Lijun and Dong Lixin. Zhao Hongping's English name is 861 Zuo. He met Dong Jianhua when he was studying in nursing school in the UK. From falling in love to getting married, everything came naturally without any disturbance.The two have respected each other as guests for many years, and they have never had any quarrels or scandals.Zhao Hongping has insisted on going to work for many years, serving as the director of the Red Cross Society. He is not dependent on her husband financially, and is alone in his career.Over the years, Zhao Hongping has faced the public with a simple and unpretentious image, and has a good reputation. Dong Chee-hwa usually likes outdoor activities, and mountain climbing has always been his favorite sport.In addition, I love to play Tai Chi and watch football.Dong Haoyun paid great attention to physical exercise when he was alive, and he would sit quietly for one or two hours every day.Dong Chee-hwa, on the other hand, is based on movement, insisting on pushing his hands on the platform every day, insisting on white cranes spreading their wings, and never stops.Dong Chee-hwa, a simple and traditional person. Now, after finishing all kinds of chores in his mansion, Dong Chee-hwa, dressed in a neat suit, drove his beloved BMW to the center of Wanchai Harbor. Today is an unusual day, and all colleagues seem to be more excited and excited than him.Early on, people gathered around the office. The huge office didn't look like a business place at all, it seemed like a lively club.Everyone has already turned on the TV, waiting for the live broadcast of the election. Several well-known journalists also crowded together to join in the fun, waiting for the election results to be released, so as to send out the first ray of laughter or first-hand information about Dong Chee-hwa's victory. Dong Chee-hwa felt everyone's kindness, he greeted everyone, put his briefcase on his desk, and stood in front of the TV with a smile, as if he was watching a very well-attended football match. When Tung Chee-hwa took over his father's fleet, he was just catching up with the impact of the world economic crisis. When the global shipping industry was in depression, the oil crisis and the large tonnage surplus in the world caused the ship price to plummet.Of course, Dong's fleet cannot escape bad luck.Tung Chee-hwa took over a huge debt of up to 32 billion Hong Kong dollars from his father. This is an unforgettable and unforgettable day.Dong Chee-hwa began to call for help in all directions. His father's network of relationships was in all directions, and Tung Chee-hwa thought of Taiwan.Many military and political officials in Taiwan retreated to Taiwan on the ships of the Dong family fleet.Although Dong Haoyun later partnered with the British to start the shipping from Hong Kong to Shanghai, which angered the Taiwan authorities.Taiwan regards those who are in contact with the mainland as communists and ranks them as heinous.But Dong Haoyun has a foundation after all. He cleared all the charges against him, and was entertained by the Taiwan authorities and became a guest of Chiang Ching-kuo.Over the years, Dong's fleet has been unimpeded in Taiwan.Now that the Dong family is in trouble, the Taiwan authorities should help the Dong family. However, when Dong sent a distress signal to Taiwan, the Bank of Taiwan refused to save the Dong family's request. In desperation, Dong Chee-hwa had no choice but to go east to Japan again, and asked for help from his old friend Toshio Takeuchi, president of Tomian Contractors.At that time, OOCL had ordered 7 container ships with East Mian Construction, and these ships have been built one after another and are waiting for delivery.In the downturn of the shipping industry, accepting an extra ship is an extra burden.Tung Chee-hwa requested the Japanese side to postpone the delivery. He was really unable to pay the bank interest and could not afford the huge repair and maintenance costs.Those seven boats not only failed to increase his income, but consumed a lot of money every day.However, Toshio Takeuchi, who has always been gentle and polite, also put away his smile and refused to sign the extension, so Dong Chee-hwa had to return without success.Dong's fleet suffered unprecedented damage.The fleet staggered and was about to sink in the wind and rain.Dong Chee-hwa really wants to cry but has no tears. However, the house was leaking due to continuous rain, and the ship was broken due to the headwind. When Dong Chee-hwa was busy, his mother fell seriously ill. Dong Chee-hwa, who is famous for his filial piety, had to invite his elder sister to take care of his mother. Serve the elderly here.Some people say that Dong's fleet is about to be destroyed by the economic storm.However, Bao Yugang's fleet was spared because it turned around early, landed quickly, and found a new way in the financial and real estate industries. It seems that the economic storm is about to destroy the Dong family's fleet, and the life-long painstaking efforts of Dong Haoyun, a generation of ship tycoon, will be destroyed once. There seems to be no other way out for Tung Chee-hwa. The creditors press for debts every day, the bank calls for interest every day, and his subordinates have stopped paying salaries. At that time, we were all afraid of reading newspapers, afraid of finding tragic events such as XXX jumping off a building and XXX cutting his wrists in the news column, and we were afraid that Mr. Dong would appear in such a column... A senior OOCL employee said so.However, Dong Chee-hwa is a real man, an entrepreneur who does not bend over the mountain, he has a strong psychological quality and heroism.No one could have imagined that he survived. On March 14, 1986, Dong Chee-hwa and Hong Kong wealthy businessman Huo Yingdong suddenly issued a joint statement in the newspaper, announcing that Huo Yingdong would invest 1.156 billion Hong Kong dollars in the Dong Group.The statement said: 1. Dong's Group is currently undergoing financial reorganization.The reorganization plan will be submitted to its creditors and shareholders for approval. 2. Mr. Fok Yingdong, in view of the current historical low tide of the shipping industry, believes that this is a good opportunity to invest in this industry, and believes that Dong's Group is in a leading position in this industry, with rich experience and extensive international business relationships.Mr. Huo Yingdong believes that Dong's Group will definitely make a profit when the shipping industry recovers, so this investment will get a satisfactory return. 3. Mr. Huo Yingdong will invest US$20 million and US$100 million respectively in a new shipbuilding company and a new container shipping company.These investments will account for a large percentage of minority shareholders' interests in the two companies... As soon as this statement came out, it immediately caused an uproar. Some observers say that Huo Yingdong is a shrewd businessman in Hong Kong. When the shipping industry is in such a downturn, he devotes all his energy to supporting the dying Dong family fleet, which is too contrary to his usual style. The Huo family's act of disregarding costs and not seeking benefits, investing Wanguan's family wealth into the Dong's group that does not know when it will recover, does not seem to be the style of a businessman, this is the second suspicious person; although Huo Yingdong is rich, his own company It is also in operation, and now that he has suddenly withdrawn such a large amount of funds, it is impossible for him to get it out... After all, people feel that this matter is strange.So someone boldly asserted: The money does not belong to the Huo family, but from the mainland!The commentator's exact date: Fok Ying-tung has always been on fire with Beijing. The money may come from Beijing. Fok Ying-tung may be a trustee of Beijing. His purpose is to stabilize Hong Kong's prosperity and support Hong Kong Chinese business groups to compete with British business groups.Later, this conjecture was confirmed.Hong Kong writer Leng Xia said. Because of "The Biography of Huo Yingdong", I once got along with Huo Yingdong for a year.During the interview, I asked him this question six or seven times, but Huo Yingdong either avoided answering it, or evaded it on the grounds of inconvenience, and only said vaguely: In fact, the situation is that the Chinese side injected capital.I probably shouldn't say that I need to seek some people's opinions, because OOCL is involved in Taiwan, registered in Taiwan, and China supports... At that time, financial reorganization involved a considerable amount of funds, mainly involving many banks.They reorganized their finances and they did it very successfully.As for the source of funds, I think you should ask him... Huo Yingdong is talking about him here, probably referring to Dong Chee-hwa.Huo Yingdong's son, Huo Zhenting, also talked to me about this issue: OOCL is mainly concerned with capital turnover, and domestic banks all support it. We will participate and help tide over the difficulties.We are just a middleman, not active, China supports... Although the Huo family and his son only revealed this, the problem is already very clear. The $120 million is not Huo Yingdong's money, but from China, and Huo Yingdong is just an agent. In March of this year (1996), I asked Fok Yingdong about this issue again, but Fok Yingdong still refused to disclose the details, only saying: Not long ago, when I was in Beijing for the inaugural meeting of the preparatory committee, I asked Huang Zhendong, Minister of Communications However, he still believes that the details of China's support for Tung Chee-hwa should not be made public for the time being, especially at this time.Huo Yingdong's remarks revealed a fact: when he supported Dong Chee-hwa's financial reorganization, it was the Ministry of Communications of China. Thanks to this extraordinary blood transfusion, OOCL is finally over the hump. At this time, HSBC also gave their full assistance, making Dong's group completely out of the swamp. In 1991, Dong's Group began to turn losses into profits, with an annual net profit of US$7.4 million. In 1992, after-tax profit was $8 million.International container shipping business increased to 55.41 million US dollars. In 1995, net profit was $66.8 million. In the first six months of 1996, the net profit reached 72 million US dollars... Speaking of Dong Chee-hwa's personal style and talent, his sister Dong Jianping said: In terms of talent, Tung Chee-hwa is inferior to his father, but when it comes to dealing with people, Tung Chee-hwa is more tactful than his father.Tung Chee-hwa knows how to deal with different friends, and knows how to control his emotions.The father is strict and easily angered, but Tung Chee-hwa is not. It is rare to see him punishing his children... Tung Chee Hwa is fluent in Cantonese, Shanghainese, Mandarin and English.His memory is so amazing that he can hold company business meetings without a calculator, and he can do mental calculations faster than a calculator.If the figures cited by any department are wrong, he will tell where the mistakes are. His accuracy and shrewdness are shocking. In the management of the fleet, Dong Chee-hwa has a completely different style from his father.He pays more attention to the system and speaks by the law. This is the modern enterprise management experience he gained in the United States. Tung Chee-hwa often said: In the past, making books depended on luck, but now it depends on the system.Everything is changing in the world now. For example, in the past, when playing football, there were only long passes and quick attacks, but now there are many formations, such as four-three-three, four-two-four and other formations; catch up with the times. Tung Chee-hwa has always advocated diversification, especially for the risky shipping industry. He also advocated not to be hanged from a tree, but to take a look at the shore.However, the old man Dong Haoyun seems to have a soft spot for the shipping industry. He does not allow others to be half-hearted, and often admonishes Dong Chee-hwa: What diversification?I know better than you! In the 1960s, someone was willing to sell the Shoudelong Building in Central to Dong Haoyun for 6.6 million yuan. Such a low price and promise of big returns in the future did not impress Dong Haoyun. Even if Dong Chee-hwa tried his best to persuade him to buy it, he was not moved.Helpless, Dong Chee-hwa had no choice but to carry his father to another place to buy more than 20 residential units, and started a real estate business on his own.Practice has proved that Dong Chee-hwa's decision is correct. Looking back at the fact that Dong's fleet is gradually revived, people have to admire Dong Chee-hua's talent.In a sense, Tung Chee-hwa is the representative of Hong Kong people who have worked hard and worked hard to be successful. The success of the Tung Group is also the success of the Chinese in Hong Kong.Hong Kong's historical performance was created by Hong Kong Chinese like Tung Chee-hwa. However, before that, Dong Chee-hwa has been low-key dealing with his personal life and the company's social image.He is not very interested in politics, and he doesn't like to make public appearances. In addition, he is honest and straightforward, and he always stays away from appearances and news disclosures on social occasions, which is not familiar to Hong Kong people.At this time, he never thought that he would shine in the political arena of Hong Kong in the future.And one of his competitors, Yang Tieliang, was once the chief justice of Hong Kong. Hong Kong attaches great importance to the rule of law. Much higher than Tung Chee Hwa.Another competitor, Wu Guang, is the son-in-law of the shipping tycoon Pao Yu-Kang.Although Bao Yugang and Dong Haoyun are juniors, he is a rising star with strong stamina and explosive power. In addition, he has a broad vision. Therefore, before the depression of the international shipping industry, he has already sensitively smelled the breath of the storm. Immediately implemented diversified operations, urgently docked, and launched new projects on land, thus avoiding losses.When Dong Haoyun's fleet was entangled by the economic storm, Bao Yugang's fleet was safe in the safe haven with almost no losses.As for Wu Guangzheng, he played an important role in Pao Yugang's headquarters, and his intelligence and elegant demeanor impressed many people in Hong Kong. Before 1995, Tung Chee-hwa faded in and out on the political stage of Hong Kong. He himself neither pursued fame nor had any intention of becoming a temple. Hong Kong people did not pay much attention to him.However, by 1995, Dong Chee-hwa's name became more and more famous.Some people called him a dark horse that suddenly appeared on the Hong Kong political scene.The statement that Tung Chee-hwa became a dark horse first came from the Hong Kong newspapers. On January 27, 1996, Hong Kong's "Ming Pao" published an article titled "Jiang Zemin Deliberately Highlights Tung Chee-hwa's Status." The article said: After the SAR Government Preparatory Committee held the inauguration ceremony in the Great Hall of the People yesterday, President Jiang Zemin, Premier Li Peng and a group of leaders also appeared in the General Assembly Hall at 10:00 am to meet the newly appointed members of the Preparatory Committee who had just received their certificates of appointment.At that time, all members of the preparatory committee had already been divided into five rows, with more than 30 people standing in each row. As the deputy director, Dong Chee-hwa stood in the corner of the first row. After Jiang Zemin entered the venue, he first shook hands with An Zijie, another member of the preparatory committee standing in the first row closest to the entrance, and then shook hands with Wang Mingquan who stood behind An Zijie.Then give a speech.Later, when he was about to leave, he looked obviously looking for someone, but he couldn't find anyone in the middle.Suddenly, he saw Dong Chee-hwa standing in the corner, and immediately burst into a bright smile, then walked to Dong Chee-hwa's side, reached out to shake hands with Dong Chee-hwa, and the two chatted affectionately again.However, the reporter was too far away to hear what they were saying... It was a normal scene, but after journalists described it, people's eyes suddenly shifted to Dong Chee-hwa, so the personal friendship between them also appeared in the newspapers one after another. Combining similar news from various newspapers, the most talked about is their three-way handshake—the first handshake was in Shanghai. In mid-March 1989, Dong Chee-hwa arrived in Shanghai for the first time in the Cosmological Institute founded by his father.Dong Chee-hwa was very excited when he left Shanghai and the boss returned, so he decided to hold a celebration party on board and invite Shanghai party and government dignitaries to participate.The Institute of Cosmos is run by the University of Pittsburgh in the United States. The students on board will conduct cultural exchanges with various universities in Shanghai. First of all, they must obtain the support of Shanghai’s party and government leaders. Therefore, Dong Chee-hwa invited Jiang Zemin, who was then secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee. Jiang Zemin met Dong Chee-hwa at the party.A few days later, on March 25, 1989, Jiang Zemin held a banquet at the Hongqiao Hotel in Shanghai to invite Dong Chee-hwa back.This time the two were like old friends. They sat side by side, held each other, and talked for a long time.At that time, Shanghai was in a critical period of reform and development, and the climax of economic construction was rising one after another. As the main leader, Jiang Zemin talked more about Shanghai's economic construction.Jiang Zemin welcomed Dong Chee-hua to invest in Shanghai, and Dong Chee-hua happily agreed. Since then, Tung Chee-hwa began to transfer his interest in doing business to the mainland.He invested in Shanghai Orient Overseas Food Co., Ltd. in Shanghai. In addition, he jointly operated shipping companies with Shanghai Baosteel Group, including Baojin Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Baolian Shipping Co., Ltd.In 1992, the cruise ship Baomin jointly invested and built by Deng Xiaoping was named by Deng Xiaoping's daughter Deng Nan, and in 1993, the cruise ship Baojie was jointly produced and named by Chen Muhua, vice chairman of the National People's Congress. Tung Chee-hwa is getting closer and closer to the mainland of the motherland.For him, the motherland is his root, and his OOCL is the leaves.No matter how lush the branches and leaves are, how green the color is, the final root is in the motherland.Returning to the mainland to invest is the return of the green leaves to the roots.Tung Chee-hwa and Jiang Zemin shook hands for the second time in 1993. In June 1992, the Beijing Municipal Government made a gesture, saying that it could consider cooperating with foreign businessmen in the reconstruction project of the old city of Wangfujing. Wangfujing is the commercial center of Beijing, known as the face of the emperor, like Nanjing Road in Shanghai, Quanyechang in Tianjin, Taiyuan Street in Shenyang, and Hanzheng Street in Wuhan.Moreover, because it is the capital, it can be said that every inch of land is precious, and it is a treasure land that every businessman wants to get involved in. Li Ka-shing, the richest man in Hong Kong, and Guo Henian, the richest man in Malaysia, were the first to aim at this treasure land. The old area of ​​Wangfujing has 511 hectares of land, 327 hectares of planned land, and a total planned construction area of ​​140,000 square meters. It will be built into a first-class commercial center in Asia or the world. However, just as the two sides were in full swing, the central government decided to implement macro-control and reduce the scale of capital construction.Guo Henian retired bravely, and Li Ka-shing brought in the backup player Dong Chee-hwa to play. Tung Chee-hwa and Li Ka-shing are good friends.Hong Kong is a world of money, and it is rare to have one or two confidants in the ups and downs of the business world.But Dong Chee-hwa was cited as a confidant by Li Ka-shing.Li Ka-shing commented on Dong Chee-hwa: he has a good character.Honest and cheerful.Since the two joined hands, it can be said that the wind is rising and the sail is hanging. Although there are many twists and turns, they can always be resolved.Now, the old town of Wangfujing has been successfully sold by the two, and the construction plan of the Oriental Plaza is beginning to be implemented. Just after the foundation stone laying ceremony was held in the Oriental Plaza, Dong Chee-hwa was received by Jiang Zemin again. At this time, Jiang Zemin was already the leader of the country. Although his status had changed, the friendship between them remained unchanged. The third handshake was at the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in the same year.This time, Tung Chee-hwa was appointed as a member of the Eighth CPPCC National Committee.At the meeting, Dong Chee-hwa was received by Jiang Zemin again.The three handshakes can be described as three good stories. As time goes by, the understanding between the two is getting better.From Jiang Zemin, people in Hong Kong and Macau have seen the outstanding talent and charisma of the Chinese leader.Tung Chee-hwa has told people many times that the current Chinese leadership is of good quality, has an excellent educational background, and has a long-term and clear vision of China's future. They know how to bring China on the road of progress and development. All in all, through the three handshakes between Tung Chee-hwa and Jiang Zemin, Tung Chee-hwa’s understanding of the mainland has been further deepened, and his confidence and enthusiasm for Hong Kong’s return to the motherland has gradually increased, which also laid the foundation for him to gradually emerge in the future. For the Dong Group, the Americans have long wanted to bring it into the camp of the United States.Dong Haoyun is friends with many people in the upper echelons of the US military and political circles. For example, the former US President Carter of the Democratic Party has close relations with the former President Reagan of the Republican Party, as well as the earlier Presidents Nixon and Ford.They often invite ship tycoon Dong Haoyun to spend weekends with them at their holiday residence. In view of the close relationship between the Dong family and the United States, the U.S. government once invited Dong Haoyun and Dong Chee-hwa to become American citizens.Both father and son made it clear that they would refuse. Dong Haoyun said: No matter what nationality I am given, I am still a Chinese. I have done nothing personally, no matter what nationality I am, no one will value it. Tung Chee-hwa seems to have a closer relationship with the upper echelons of the United States.Tung Chee-hwa has always had a good personal relationship with former US President Bush. During Bush's administration, Tung Chee-hwa was invited to the White House many times as a guest.Even after Bush left office, the relationship between the two remained close. Every time Bush came to Hong Kong, Tung Chee-hwa warmly received him. Tung Chee-hwa and the current US Assistant Secretary of State Lord are also good friends. The two often communicate with each other. Lord's father-in-law also likes Tung Chee-hwa very much. It is said that he also learned how to play mahjong from Tung Chee-hwa. Some entrepreneurs in the American business community also have deep personal relationships with Tung Chee-hwa. In July 1996, on the eve of the opening of the Olympic Games, Dong Chee-hwa came to San Francisco, USA due to company affairs.Hearing that Dong Chee-hwa had arrived, the chairman of the famous Coca-Cola Group sent a special plane to take Dong from Los Angeles to Atlanta to attend the opening ceremony. Tung Chee-hwa has a forthright temperament and hospitality. He has a very poetic villa named Xiangdao Xiaozhu in Hong Kong, which is close to the sea and covers an area of ​​more than 60,000 square meters.It has been hailed as Dong's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.In this villa, Dong Chee-hwa has received many international celebrities, such as the cardinal of the United States, the prince and princess of Morocco, the President of the United States Bush, the steel magnate and so on. The Americans mobilized him many times to become an American citizen, but Dong Chee-hwa, like his father, politely declined.He said: My father often told me to be proud of being Chinese. Not only the Americans mobilized him to change his nationality, but the British have also been lobbying Dong and his son to become British. The Dong family has always had a good relationship with British politicians and consortium giants, and has always been the guest of the King of England and Prince Charles. In addition, there are many developed countries mobilizing him to change his career, but Dong Chee-hwa remains unmoved. The only thing that fascinates him is China.It is Hong Kong. During the days of frequent exchanges with the mainland, Dong Chee-hwa gradually came up with an unprecedented idea. He wanted to stand at the front desk of Hong Kong, serve the 6.5 million people in Hong Kong, and contribute all his strength and mind to the prosperity of China. At 7:30 p.m. on September 19, 1996, Tung Chee-hwa, who had been reluctant to show up for a long time, finally broke his silence and held a press conference at his company headquarters, disclosing his statement of intent to run for office. He said: Over the past few weeks, there have been many rumors and reports about whether I will participate in the election of the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To clarify my intention, I would like to make a brief statement: In my opinion, after the return of Hong Kong in 1997, in accordance with the principle of one country, two systems, the continuation of Hong Kong's current achievements really depends on the wise leadership of the future chief executive. Prosperity and stability, and a smooth march into the 21st century. Since I have been committed to my career and fulfilled my responsibilities to the company's shareholders, colleagues and my family, I have not seriously considered whether to participate in the election.But recently, with the encouragement of my friends and the support of my family, and to provide the selection committee with one more choice, I decided to think carefully and actively prepare for the candidate. 本人在香港居住已超过27年，在这段时间内，除本身业务外，曾出任官方及非官方的联络，直接与间接地为香港服务，并从中吸取有关香港社会发展与政府运作的经验。但为了进一步加深对香港的了解，认清未来面对的挑战，衡量自己可否成为未来行政首长的合适人选，本人已开始向香港各界人士请教，聆听他们的意见。在未来数周内，我将会继续广泛会晤各界人士。 与此同时，我亦准备开始对公司业务作出妥善的安排，使我一旦作出决定后，可以全身心投入参与候选的工作。我希望在未来数周内作出参与候选的确认。10月22日，董建华出席香港管理专业协会管理发展中心的晚宴，他是这个协会的前会长。在会上他发表了名为《共同建设21世纪的香港》的治港政纲。 为了符合参选条件，董建华调整了自己在东方海外公司的职务，聘请一位美国资深银行家出任董事长兼首席财务总监，让其弟董建平担任副主席。接着，董建华又辞去香港行政局议员的职务，还到香港筹委会秘书处领取了简历表，摆出了真正参加竞选的架式。 董建华的一系列运作迅速而又有条不紊，这匹黑马从斜刺里杀出，立时使香港社会各界一片哗然。 香港最早公开表态要竞选特首的是首席大法官杨铁梁。董建华一公开参加竞选，香港舆论立时就爆炒董杨之争。不久，包玉刚的女婿吴光正也挺身而出，公开宣告加入逐鹿行列。 还有前大法官贾施雅也来叫阵。另外还有港府官员李福善叩门。此时的舆论焦点又由董杨之争变为董吴之战。吴光正此时的身份已是公职身份，他是医管局主席，他声明要给市民一个专业行政人员的新形象参加竞选。 为了表示决心，他声明辞去九龙仓集团及会德丰集团的名誉主席职位，完全脱离商界。 这是一个姿态，他主要是做给他的竞选对手董建华和董的支持者李嘉诚看的。 李嘉诚和大陆一直建立着紧密的联系，吴光正也挥师北上，积极占领大陆市场。在某市某个点上二人发生争执，从此结怨。竞选特区行政长官之风初吹之时，李嘉诚曾向中国领导人建议，竞选特首的人选最好不让商人参加，其就是针对吴光正而言。 吴光正早已获知李嘉诚的论点，为了表示此身清白，干脆辞去一系列商务，干干净净去参加竞选。 李嘉诚为了推荐董建华竞选，后来又放弃了关于商人不得参与竞选的观点，因为董建华本身就是商人。他反感吴光正的原因还因吴光正和港督彭定康关系极密切，1992年彭定康打出政改方案时，吴光正是唯一一个公开表示支持的中国商人。因吴光正此举，使他失分不少。在董吴之战中，董建华仍稍稍占优。美籍华裔知名人士赵浩生分析董建华参选有五大有利条件。他说：首先，董建华是在香港成长起来的，现在强调港人治港，无懈可击；第二，香港长期受英国殖民统治，董建华是英国利物浦大学的留学生，同英国各界有一定的关系，倘若英国在香港回归问题上耍什么花样，欺瞒不了他这个留英生；第三，香港是个商业城市，不是政治城市，他在商界经营多年，精通商业的运作和管理，且在商界有一定的威望；第四，我认为以一国两制的方式使香港、澳门回归，只是第一步，下一步就是以这一方式统一台湾，董建华父亲开创的东方事业，与台湾商界有联系，董建华个人在台湾也有人缘，其妹董小平是台湾前总参谋长的儿媳妇；第五，说句玩笑话，董建华出生在上海，现在中国上层领导人大多在上海工作过，中国有句关于老乡的俗话，所以他同他们容易打交道。 有关人士分析，坚决支持董建华的社会人士来自四个方面：第一，以李嘉诚为代表的长江实业集团；第二，港英政府建制下的前立法行政机构的议员和退休的商官；第三，一大批香港工商界名流和商会成员；第四，一部分开明绅士和知识分子，此外还有许多筹委会委员支持他，如霍英东、查良镛等等。支持董建华的人们认为他有以下优点： 一、为人正直、讲原则，朴实淳厚，待人诚恳。 二、有自知之明。不懂的事从不装懂，愿虚心请教。 三、他经历过公司绝处逢生的考验，具有应付危机的能力。 四、有中央领导人的信任基础。 五、得到港英政府大批高级公务员的支持和信任。 六、他有广泛的国际关系，认识一些国家的政要，有出色的外交能力。 面对愈来愈多的支持者，董建华也开始信心百倍起来，他说：我现在已经下了最大决心，一定要赢，一定能赢！我一定要出来为香港人眼务！ 记荇问他，若竞选失败该怎么面对？他笑着说，若落选，就花一个月的时间去环游世界。若选上了呢？他仍笑着说，那就两年不休息，不度假，全力以赴投入到工作中去…… 就这样，董建华被时代的潮流渐渐携裹，一直推举到了香港政治的中心地段。 就这样，他迎来了1996年12月11日。 唱票5分钟后，董夫人也驱车来到湾仔，和丈夫一起看电视选举直播。 本来她是在家中卧室看电视的，但她显然受不了这种激烈竞争的场面，一声声唱票，刺激着她的神经，她坐卧不安，只得急忙驾车来到公司，让丈夫和她的肩头共同挑起这个非同寻常的日子。 香港会议展览中心二楼会议厅里，来自香港各界、各阶层的400名推选委员会委员，正在投票。选举一开始，董建华便一路领先，显示出黑马非凡的实力。 董建华！杨铁梁！吴光正！唱票人如云中鹤唳，把六百五十万香港人的心紧紧攫住。 当董建华的得票数达到198票时，办公室里的电话响了，董建华接到了最早的祝贺。电话是他最强劲的对手扬铁梁打来的，他在电话中表示以后若有需要，当给予全力支持和帮助，显示了他彬彬有礼的风度。 上午11时55分，竞选达到了高潮。当身穿黄色制服的划票小姐在董建华的票板上划上了第201票时，全场立即响起了热烈的掌声。掌声宣告：香港历史上第一位特区行政长官诞生了，他就是董建华！ 此时，董建华的办公大楼内外人声鼎沸，一片欢腾。经过两个多小时的选举，董建华最终以320票的绝对优势胜出。专程赴港的国务院副总理、推委会主任钱其琛宣布了这一结果，一下子把沸点燃了起来。 湾仔海港中心涌来许多祝贺的人流，在18名警察的保护下，董建华高扬双手向欢呼的人群致意，然后被簇拥着上了一辆专门保护要人的警车，向香港会议展览中心驶去，董建华要在那里举行记者招待会。 记者会上，董建华赞扬了两位竞争对手，说他们为今后的选举树立了很好的榜样。董建华深情地对香港人民说：我万分感谢推委们以及600万香港市民，给了我人生最高的荣誉，虽然这工作很艰难，很富挑战性，但我对自己对香港人充满了信心，我希望香港成为一个安定、公平及有爱心的社会。我会尽一切力量，去为香港创造一个更美好的明天。 第二天，全体筹委移师深圳，进行确认特首选举结果及公布临时立法会候选人的程序。会议通过了全国人民代表大会香港特别行政区筹备委员会关于报请国务院任命香港特别行政区第一任行政长官的报告。报告全文如下： 国务院： 根据《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法》和《全国人民代表大会关于香港特别行政区第一届政府和立法会产生办法的决定》，在全国人民代表大会香港特别行政区筹备委员会的主持下，香港待别行政区第一届政府推选委员会于1996年月11日在香港选举董建华为中华人民共和国香港特别行政区第一任行政长官人选。现报请中央人民政府任命。 全国人民代表大会香港特别行政区筹备委员会一九九六年十二月十二日1996年12月15日，国务院总理李鹏在北京召开国务院第11次全体会议。会后，李鹏总理签署国务院第207号令：中华人民共和国国务院令第207号依照《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法》和《全国人民代表大会关于香港特别行政区第一届政府和立法会产生办法的决定》的有关规定，根据中华人民共和国香港特别行政区第一届政府推选委员会选举产生的人选，任命董建华为中华人民共和国香港特别行政区第一任行政长官，于1997年7月1日就职。 总理李鹏1996年12月16日1996年12月18日，国家主席江泽民在人民大会，堂会见了专程赴京接受当选行政长官任命的董建华夫妇。 老朋友相见，分外高兴。江泽民主席握着董建华的手说，祝贺你当选和被任命为香港特别行政区第一任行政长官。他又说，英国统治香港一个半世纪，历任总督都是皇室任命的，从来没有咨询过港人的意见，你是一百多年来第一个由中国人担任的行政长官，这是港人治港高度自治的真正体现。也意味着香港即将进入一个新纪元。 再过半年，香港就要结束殖民统治，真正回到祖国的怀抱了，他们都显得非常激动。他们和全国人民一样，都在热切地企盼着这一天早日到来！ 这一天终于来临。 在这一刻里，世界的目光在此聚焦，和平正义事业的动人风景在这里展现。 这就是公元一九九七年七月一日的香港。 根据中英关于香港问题的联合声明，两国政府将于1997年7月1日零时，在香港举行政权交接仪式。最早奉命而动的是驻港部队。 1997年6月30日，中华人民共和国中央军事委员会主席江泽民发布《中国人民解放军驻香港部队进驻香港特别行政区的命令》，命令驻港部队于1997年7月1日零时开始履行香港防务职责。 于是，驻港部队的直升机呼啸着掠过青衣岛，掠过计山和鹿湖，掠过魔鬼山英军战时构筑的掩体和炮台，在指定的地点予以着陆；而十艘海军舰艇，在绵绵细雨中驶向香港海面，舰艇驶过巍巍壮观的穿鼻长堤，驶过沙桥海湾，驶过云浮仙观和流浮仙蚝，如果不是阴雨天，战士们驶过伶仃洋时一定会看到伶仃落日，这是该让英国人哀叹的落日，是帝国的落日。 驻港部队的地面部队从深圳皇岗口岸和文锦渡、沙头角等地向香港进发，战车在深圳市民的欢送声中隆隆驶出。驻港部队于午夜前全部到达指定位置。1997年6月30日下午16时20分，末代港督彭定康从港督府走出，没有打伞，没人陪同，径直走进雨幕里。在草坪上，他的妻子和三个女儿打着伞在雨中等他，他们将要在这里举行告别仪式。雨中，彭定康仰望着缓缓降落的英国国旗，神色黯然，表情肃穆。雨越下越大，他的头发和深色的西服被打湿了。他显得很僬悴。仅仅一夜之间，彭定康变得迟暮木呆，有人说他老了。回想彭公新来香港时，步履矫健，英姿勃发，身上还带有英国政坛少帅的豪气，然而，仅仅五年时间过去，这座港督府里似就耗尽了他的一生。他显得疲惫而滞缓，老态毕现。 米字旗降下了，而且是永远降下了。它在这里飘了一个多世纪，伴随了二十八任港督。但是它今天寿终正寝了，它将和彭定康一起回家，回到英国老家。 彭定康在降旗过程中始终隐忍着自己的感情，但是，当皇家警察把降下的英国国旗双手呈给他时，他再也控制不住自己的感情，泪水夺眶而出…… 1997年6月30日18时15分，英方告别仪式在离驻港英军总部不远的添马舰东面举行。前来香港参加政权交接仪式的王储查尔斯王子、首相布莱尔和离任香港总督彭定康出席了仪式。 1841年1月25日，英国皇家海军硫璜号战舰在港岛强行登陆，一个叫爱德华拜尔契的舰长带领海军陆战队将米字旗插上港岛的最高峰，从这一天起，驻港英军开始了长达156年的历史。 仪式选在日落之前举行，让人浮想联翩。英国过去号称日不落帝国，然而这称谓已随风而逝，帝国斜阳最后一缕阳光，也被厚厚的积雨云遮住。谁都知道，在那云后，那轮太阳正无可奈何地跌下去…… 查尔斯王子在告别仪式上宣读了英女王的赠言。这里还有1800名英军士兵，他们在这里坚守到殖民统治最后的终结，因此，女王说感谢他们。 驻港英军由陆军、皇家海军、皇家空军组成，三军总部设在港岛中环威尔斯亲王军营。《英皇制诰》规定，香港总督兼任驻港英军司令，而实际上其实际指挥权一直由英军国防部委派的三军司令掌握。现任驻港英军三军司令为邓守仁少将。驻港英军常规人数保持1万多人规模，其中港人占38%，廓尔喀兵占43%，真正英籍官兵只占19左右。中英两国达成关于香港问题的协议后，英军从1988年起即开始撤军，现在仅余1800人。年初，英军已关闭了石岗军营、空军基地和一个修理厂，解散了67野战中队，撤离了廓尔喀兵团，关闭了昂船洲海军基地。 现在，随着查尔斯王子充满感情的慰问与祝福，这些军官和士兵蓦然想起一句中国古诗：日暮乡关何处去，烟波江上使人愁。 俗话说，树倒猢狲散。这些失去依靠的士兵们面对雨中的西方想，我们回英国该干什么好呢？ 一百多年前，英人就是依靠坚船利炮轰开了中国门，英军就是英王意志的利爪。现在，随着岁月的流逝，大英帝国陨落了，世界正在进步，和平和公正就像滚春潮，可耻的殖民思想和行径遭到世界性的唾弃，因而，这只英吉利狮子的爪子早已变得柔软而无力。 而中国正在崛起。 中国军队成了世界上一支强大的武装力量。它的强大和不可战胜已经得到过多次证明，因此，作为国家象征，当它隆隆进驻香港时，曾引起驻港英军的惊赞和羡慕。 中国军队是分期分批进驻香港的。 每一批进驻，便如石击水，顿起波澜。仅仅是举手投足，仅仅是集合站队，仅仅是日常行走，他们便看得眼热心跳。军人对军人的估价是敏捷而迅速的，甚至是以千分之一秒判断的。仅仅一眼，他们就会判断出对方的质量和重量。驻港部队让人联想到悠远的历史和大渡河红军的英姿，可以看到司令员刘镇武大比武时万军阵中夺上将首级的身手，可以看到政委熊自仁少将那颇富内含绵长而深郁的目光。这支英雄的部队没有辜负人民的期望。7月1日零时，中华人民共和国国旗在香港添马舰营区冉冉升起，从而向世界昭示：中国人民解放军驻香港部队已接管了香港的防务。与此同时，昂船洲、枪会山、石岗、赤柱的营区内也举行了升国旗仪式，这就是说，不管是空中、海域还是地面，香港已被驻港部队全面接管。 香港因中国政府代表团的到来而欢欣鼓舞。1997年6月30日下午17时28分，就在查尔斯王子一行将在添马舰举行日落仪式之前，中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席江泽民率领中国政府代表团抵达香港，出席香港政权交接仪式。 这是中国最高领导人首次踏上香港的土地。 中国政府代表团成员有李鹏、王汉斌、张万年、费孝通、雷洁琼、程思远、吴阶平、罗干、吴学谦、董寅初、马万祺、何丽、卓琳等。 江泽民主席一行在雨中受到了香港各界代表数百人的热烈欢迎。而在另一处，查尔斯王子在天佑女王的乐声中看着米字旗在风雨中缓缓降下，他对伫立在雨中的英军官兵说，还有5个小时厂英国国旗就要降下，中国国旗将飘扬于香港上空。你们已经完成了历史赋予你们的使命，女王谢谢你们…… 查尔斯王子没有看到落日，这既掩饰了他们的尴尬，又给了他们窘迫。在风雨中，他们将要在香港停留最后5个小时，也仅仅是这5个小时，他们的身份还是这里的主人，等时针转完5圈，香港就不再属于英国，而他们只是这片土地的匆匆过客，是一支感伤的行旅了…… 5个小时转瞬间过去了。 全世界的目光聚焦在香港维多利亚海湾一端的会展中心。 公元1997年7月1日零时即将来到了。会展中心新翼五楼大会堂灯火辉煌，香港各界代表和中外宾客端坐在这里，等待着这历史性的一刻。出席仪式的有40多个国家和地区的代表，30个国际和地区组织的负责人以及国际知名政界人士，90多个国家驻香港领事机构的代表和一些国家的民间组织、地区与国际组织驻港办筝处的代表，30多个国家和地区的华侨、华人出席了交接仪式。 英国方面出席交接仪式的有许多著名人物，引人注目的有英国前首相希思和前首相玛格丽特撒切尔夫人，还有尚健在的前港督柏立基、麦理浩、葛量洪、卫奕信等等。特别是撒切尔夫人，虽然下野多年，仍然显得神采非凡，但她今晚的盛装，已不再是人们议论的中心，昨天的风光已经不在，她静静坐在会场一隅，极有风度地等待着，等待着…… 23时42分，中英两国政府香港政权交接仪式正式开始。 会场内响起嘹亮的礼号声，中英双方仪仗队以相同的威严和不同的军姿走进会场。 23时46分，中国国家主席江泽民、国务院总理李鹏、国务院副总理兼外交部长钱其琛、中央军委副主席张万年和香港特别行政区首任行政长官董建华步入会场登上主席台主礼台。英国方面同时步入会场并登上主席台主礼台的有查尔斯王子、首相布莱尔、外交大臣库克、离任港督彭定康、国防参谋长查尔斯，格思里。查尔斯王子的蓝色西服显得有些不整，由于在雨中穿梭不停忙于最后告别，或是在汽车里坐得太久，他的质地甚好的衣服后面揉得满是皱褶。当他登上主席台主礼台时，因为走得庄重而缓慢，这身皱巴巴的衣服就长时间面向会场，就像一张刻满苍桑的脸在晃动，至少说这是一个极富表情的后背。 查尔斯转过身来时，他的西服的皱褶就消失了。人们替他担心的心情好了许多。但是，他的表情却充满忧郁。仪仗队行举枪礼之后，他该讲话了，他有些迟疑，但确认该自己讲话后，便缓慢地移动步子，从怀里掏出稿子，仍然带着似乎随时征询别人意见的神情走向讲台并发表讲话。 查尔斯王子给人的印象是个好脾气的人，一个温和的人。当然，让他居处今天这样的位置，或许不是他的错。他的先曾经蛮横过，野蛮过，曾经像强盗一样闯入这个国家并统治香港156年，他们犯下的罪孽是深重的。现在，当查尔斯代祖先出席这令人难堪的仪式时，善良的中国人看到查尔斯沮丧的表情心里多少有些不忍。但是，在过去156年里，尤其是英国侵占香港、九龙和新界时，他们逼迫清朝政府签订不平等条约时的骄横之态和罪恶行径，想想这些，人们心头的恻隐之心就会被冲淡一些。 查尔斯毕竟是英国皇室血脉，他应该替英人欠下中国人156年的罪责负责。 会场上响起查尔斯王储纯正的伦敦语音。他说：这一重要而特殊的仪式标志着香港在150多年英国统治之后，交还给中华人民共和国。我们应向那些把一国两制构想变为《中英联合声明》的人致敬，并对那些为谈判《联合声明》的实施细节而辛勤工作的人们表示敬意…… 23时56分，中英双方护旗手入场，象征中英两国政府香港政权交接的降旗、升旗仪式开始。 23时59分，英国国旗和香港旗在英国国歌乐曲声中缓缓降落。会场一侧的英国人和查尔斯王子一起看完降旗的全过程，就像看着一个行将就木的人走完生命的尽头。他们的表情异常肃穆。从这一刻起，随着米字旗的消失，香港的殖民时代宣告彻底结束。 7月1日零时整，一个伟大的时刻来到了。会场里，满场响彻中华人民共和国国歌。就像春潮涌动、就像彩云托日，中国国旗和香港特区区旗在人们目光的簇拥下徐徐升起。 掌声响起来，闪光灯闪烁起来，摄像机镜头忙碌起来，人们眼里喻满激动的泪花，凝视着这一庄严的历史时刻。 江泽民主席走到镶嵌着中华人民共和国国徽的讲台前发表讲话。他说：一九九