NOW that Hong Kong has got a leader in waiting, China has started the sensitive task of working out precisely how it will operate its "one country, two systems" principle when it takes over the British territory next July 1st.
The selection last week of the shipping magnate, Mr Tung Cheehwa, as chief executive elect and the choosing tomorrow of a new provisional assembly in Shenzhen across the border has in effect started the transition process and taken the focus off Britain's 28th and last governor, Mr Chris Patten.
Yesterday the official Chinese media splashed pictures of Mr Tung, who came to Beijing for his formal benediction as Hong Kong's new boss, smiling and embracing in a warm arm clasp, the normally staid President Jiang Zemin of China.
As if to assure an anxious Hong Kong, President Jiang promised Mr Tung that the "one country, two systems" principle under which China allows the capitalist system of Hong Kong to continue for 50 years would not be set aside, according to the China Daily.
"In the future we will act strictly in accordance with the Basic Law and will never interfere in affairs within the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)," he said.
Mr Tung for his part said his meetings with China's President and the Prime Minister, Mr Li Peng, had boosted his confidence in the future of the territory. At the moment I can see no problems that would require the special help of the central government," said the 59 year old Liverpool University graduate.
The Chinese leader could not resist making the point that governors of Hong Kong had always been outsiders appointed by the British monarch".
"You are the first Chinese chief executive for more than 100 years, he said, and "this truly demonstrates the principle of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong."
The incoming chief executive said he would return home with greater confidence in Hong Kong's future after his meetings with Mr Jiang and Mr Li Peng.
Pledging that "we are going to exercise a high degree of autonomy he urged Hong Kong's 6.3 million people to face up to the fact that China had decided to dissolve the existing elected legislature immediately after the hand over and to replace it with its own appointed provisional body.
Mr Patten has vowed never to co-operate with the provisional legislature.