Still weeks from resuming control of Hong Kong from Britain, China is sending a symbol of its approaching sovereignty.
For the first time, soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation army are coming to the colony - and on a day equally heavy with patriotism for the British. The soldiers' planned arrival on Monday coincides with celebrations marking the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.In an eight-car convoy, 40 unarmed soldiers will cross the border from the Chinese city of Shenzhen. Leading them will be Maj. Gen. Zhou Borong, deputy commander of the larger garrison that will march into the colony after the July 1 handover of power.
The 40 soldiers are an advance team to prepare for the eventual deployment of more troops - one of the most sensitive issues in China's resumption of control.
Many Hong Kong residents are refugees from communism. Others know the PLA for firing on democracy demonstrators in Beijing in 1989 and for using its political clout to muscle-in on business deals.
To allay such fears, China's legislature approved a law on the stationing of troops in the colony that strengthened protections of private property and banned the military from engaging in business.
In addition, the Hong Kong government has made it clear that the advance troops would not carry weapons and would wear civilian clothes, donning their olive-green uniforms only when in their barracks.