Historic assignment: (From left) Chun Wai, Kok Leong and the late Sai Wan covering the handover of Hong Kong to China 25 years ago.
FIRST, it drizzled and then it poured. It was really a wet June 30, 1997, when the historic farewell ceremony began, with the British finally leaving Hong Kong and handing over the colony to China.
It’s been 25 years since I witnessed the handover which ended 157 years of British colonial rule as a reporter, but the memories remain etched.
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Wong Chun Wai
Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang, and has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. On The Beat made its debut on Feb 23 1997 and Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for the occasional press holiday when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star.
