Handover a new beginning for the city’s prosperity
The sky opened up on June 30, 1997.
“It was pouring, probably one of the heaviest downpours I’ve ever seen,” recalled business tycoon Allan Zeman.
It was a momentous occasion and a day to remember for Zeman, whose name is synonymous with Hong Kong’s famed nightlife spot Lan Kwai Fong, located in the heart of the city’s central business district.
He was on a selected list of the local political and business elite invited to the solemn ceremony at the stroke of midnight to herald the transfer of Hong Kong back to the People’s Republic of China after 156 years of British rule.
As the then-British colonial government held a farewell ceremony out in the open at Tamar a few hours before the historic ceremony, the rain started lashing the city relentlessly. Zeman found himself completely soaked.
He was then ushered into the posh Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, which was specially built for the occasion and would later become the city’s iconic landmark that draws visitors by the score each year, the bulk from the Chinese mainland.
As the clock ticked toward the handover, the national flag of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong’s British colonial flag were slowly lowered. At the stroke of midnight, the national flag of the People’s Republic of China, as well as the new Hong Kong regional flag, were hoisted, symbolizing the country’s resumption of exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong.
“It’s something very special in my heart that I’ll never forget. I was very fortunate indeed to be present to watch this historic moment,” said Zeman. “It’s like something in a history book.”
The handover was also witnessed by hundreds of journalists from all over the world. They came to interview Zeman — a Canadian-born Hong Kong businessman with deep roots in the city — seemingly worried it would be the end of Hong Kong’s prosperity.
“I kept saying ‘no’. I told them I know China and I know how fast it’s developing — this is only a new beginning,” said Zeman.
Under the “one country, two systems” principle and through an individual visit scheme, businesspeople and tourists from the mainland can visit the SAR on an individual basis — a tremendous boost for the local economy with the hospitality, retail and travelrelated industries reaping the lion’s share of the financial bonanza.
“Hong Kong’s economy saw enormous growth as mainland tourists swarmed into the territory, lifting the fortunes of businesses here, particularly, tourism, retail and food and beverage,” said Zeman.
This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the handover — a tumultuous year for Hong Kong, which has seen 12 months of social unrest on top of strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.
“Hong Kong has gone through a huge rift, starting from last year. The protests have really destroyed our brand name. The trade spat between China and the US has made Hong Kong the ham in the middle of the sandwich,” lamented Zeman.
The tycoon believes the national security law for Hong Kong will put the city back on track and win back the trust that was lost. Hong Kong people will also be able to strengthen their sense of national identity and pride.
Zeman has lived in Hong Kong for almost half a century. He renounced his Canadian citizenship and adopted Chinese nationality in 2008.