[Concurrent] Zeng Cai'an, former chief border liaison officer of Hong Kong
When Hong Kong was robbed by the British, we had not yet been born, but we coincided with the handover, the moment of great history, we were in Hong Kong, and we were on the front line of the border.
This is one of the most important moments in our lives and the glory of our lives.
[Commentary] Recalling the night that attracted worldwide attention 25 years ago, Zeng Cai'an, then the chief border liaison officer of the Hong Kong Police Force's Border Police District, is still vivid in his mind.
That was the most important moment in his police career: at 0:00 on July 1, 1997, he welcomed the Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison to Hong Kong.
[Explanation] From July 1983 to September 1984, the formal negotiations between China and the UK on the Hong Kong issue lasted for 14 months.
On September 26, 1984, the joint statement of the Chinese and British governments on the Hong Kong issue was initialed in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The Chinese government decided to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997.
"No less than a second" was the bottom line for the Chinese side in the Sino-British negotiation at that time, and it was also the strict requirement that Zeng Cai'an made to the nearly 1,000 Hong Kong border police officers at the time of the handover.
[Concurrent] Zeng Cai'an, former chief border liaison officer of Hong Kong
Because we considered that the return is a momentary time, from 0:00 to 0:01, and soon, I was thinking, how can we do it? As soon as we return, we will appear in new uniforms?
So I told them that this is the arrangement on the whole line, that is, when the uniform is put on at 0:00, the new uniform is put on, and then the new cap badge is put on immediately, and it will appear as a brand new SAR police officer.
[Explanation] At 0:00 on July 1, Zeng Cai'an gave an order, and nearly 1,000 border police officers at three ports quickly took off their uniforms marked with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force badge and put on the Hong Kong SAR police officers. New uniform for team badges.
With the national flag of the People's Republic of China and the regional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region rising in the Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong, which has experienced a century of vicissitudes, finally returned to the embrace of the motherland.
The dazzling fireworks burst into the night sky of major cities at the same time, setting off an upsurge of people across the country to celebrate the return of Hong Kong.
And the police officers stationed at the border crossings also celebrated this historic moment in their own way.
[Concurrent] Zeng Cai'an, former chief border liaison officer of Hong Kong
We agreed to be at the bridge head at the historic moment. My proposal was to arrange two long tables on each side of the bridge, and put some champagne and some food on them. After returning, we would celebrate on both sides.
Although the people on both sides didn't know each other well, they were very happy, clinking glasses and even hugging each other. They were even happier than New Year's, celebrating this memorable piece of history.
[Commentary] Born and raised in Hong Kong during the British colonial period, he went to study in the UK when he was young. The return has a special meaning to Zeng Cai'an. After wandering for half his life, he has a heavy sense of belonging and a dignified statement of "I am Chinese". free.
[Concurrent] Zeng Cai'an, former chief border liaison officer of Hong Kong
Once when I was in college, I passed a park, and there was an old woman sitting there. She first asked me, who are you, and I said Chinese.
Where did it come from?
I said I came from Hong Kong.
Later she told me again, you are not Chinese, you are from Hong Kong.
I argued with her a few words, I am Chinese, I said that Hong Kong was robbed by the British, but it will come back after all.
You can't deny your parents just because your parents are poor and are relatively backward for a while, I just want to go back and see if I can do my part.
[Explanation] The white horse passes through the gap, and the things change and the stars move.
In the eyes of Zeng Cai'an, the improvement of the port, the completion of infrastructure, and the exchange and integration with inland cities have gradually become a reality in the past 25 years.
[Concurrent] Zeng Cai'an, former chief border liaison officer of Hong Kong
In the past 25 years, the contact between the people and the integration of the people have basically been smooth.
On the existing basis, such as a lot of infrastructure construction, all aspects of the port construction, from the previous few to the present, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Shenzhen Bay Bridge, and Liantang Port are all very good. of.
Therefore, it has become very convenient for Hong Kong citizens to return to the mainland and mainland citizens to come to Hong Kong. Therefore, this aspect has played a very important role in Hong Kong's integration into the mainland and the mainland's embrace of Hong Kong.
[Explanation] For more than ten years after retirement, Zeng Cai'an devoted himself to Chinese history education. Through giving lectures, recording programs, and organizing exchanges, he shared his previous work experience, thinking and learning with Hong Kong citizens.
[Explanation] Reading, watering flowers, creating, sometimes seeing friends, and speaking freely, today's Zeng Cai'an will live a delicious and contented life.
For him, the city has experienced ups and downs, but it is still indomitable and its style is still the same.
Reporter Fan Siyi Liang Yuan Li Yue reports from Hong Kong
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]