CNN marks 10th anniversary Hong Kong handover

CNN is to report live from across Hong Kong and feature the official dinner with Chinese President Hu and Hong Kong CEO Donald Tsang, their flag raising ceremony and the harbour firework spectacular on 1 July that marks the anniversary.

Online at www.cnn.com/hongkong features free video of CNN?s coverage from 1997, excerpts from Talk Asia with Donald Tsang and Andrew Lau, galleries of Hong Kong people and sights and in-depth articles looking at challenges the city faces. The site also asks people around the world to submit their own thoughts on the anniversary through email, mobile images and film via CNN?s unique ?I-Report? service.

Special packages include Eunice Yoon speaking to a family who left Hong Kong for Canada, worried at what Chinese rule may mean. Years later however, they are back and thriving in the city?s vibrant economy.

Andrew Stevens profiles taxi driver Eddie Lai who longs for the days when the British ruled Hong Kong. Ten years on, Lai says life for your average Hong Kong resident is getting worse. While the city?s wealthy are making even more, Lai?s average monthly income is now almost half what it was before the handover.

Andrew also interviews outspoken media mogul Jimmy Lai. He has established Hong Kong?s most popular newspaper and weekly magazine although his publications have been fearless and fiercely critical of Hong Kong and Beijing?s leadership. He has openly encouraged the Hong Kong population to take to the streets and protest, but importantly, he is still allowed to say and publish these ideas.