This Day, That Year

Item from July 2, 1997, in China Daily: (Right) President Jiang Zemin, flanked by Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen on his right and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Tung Cheehwa, holds an inscription yesterday at a grand celebration to mark the establishment of the HKSAR. The inscription, written by Jiang, reads, "A More Splendid Future for Hong Kong."

Flowers and fireworks, songs and dances, hearty cheers and broad smiles were how a joyous Hong Kong celebrated its first day back home after a sleepless night of carnival.

The gala reached a new peak yesterday morning when top State and local leaders joined performers to stage a grand celebration of the establishment of the region.