The President of the Peoples Republic of China （PRC） Mr Jiang Zemin and the Prince of Wales, both spoke at the ceremony, which straddled midnight of June 30 and July 1.
The ceremony was telecast live around the world.
The ceremony took place in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre （HKCEC） Extension and was attended by some 4,000 guests, including foreign ministers and dignitaries from more than 40 countries and international organisations, and about 400 of the worlds media.
Principal representatives of both countries were seated on the central dais.
Representing China were Mr Jiang; Mr Li Peng, Premier of the State Council of the PRC; Mr Qian Qichen, Vice Premier of the State Council of the PRC; General Zhang Wannian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC; and Mr Tung Chee Hwa, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region （HKSAR） of the PRC.
Representing Britain were Prince Charles; Tony Blair, Prime Minister;Robin Cook, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Christopher Patten, Governor of Hong Kong; and General Sir Charles Guthrie, Chief of Defence Staff.
Seated in three rows behind the principal representatives were more than 180 distinguished guests, including dignitaries from China and Britain and the principal officials of HKSAR Government.
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