The promises, the predictions and the warnings as Hong Kong confronts historic change. This section will be updated with more commentary from the key figures as July 1 approaches.

Anson Chan
Hong Kong Chief Secretary and Deputy Governor

"It doesn't seem to me to be unreasonable to ask the community to give us a few years to sort out and work out our relationship with our new sovereign power, but I think it is very important that there is commitment on both sides. And we must build on that commitment."

Major General Byran Dutton
British Major General

"I don't think there's much of a job for them (PLA) to carry out at midnight. It's a very secure city."

Tung Chee-hwa
Hong Kong Chief Executive Appointee

"It is not a question of human rights, it is a question about getting the right balance between order of social stability on one side and the rights of individuals on the other."

Martin Lee
Leader Hong Kong's Democratic Party

"True democracy is not to be equated only with free and democratic elections. But without fair and democratic elections, you don't even get started."

Chris Patten
Hong Kong Governor

"Hong Kong represents the kind of Asia with which both West and East are comfortable. It offers, in that sense, a vision for the future of Asia."