Hong Kong's top law enforcers, schooled in British-style judicial independence and separation of powers, are being cycled through Communist Party schools in China, where judges are appointed by the party and police are charged with crushing dissent.
One senior Hong Kong police officer, who has been on multiple trips to the mainland, estimated that "thousands of officers of all ranks" have been sent all over China since the handover on what he described as "hearts and minds" programs. Members of Hong Kong's renowned anti-graft body are being sent on similar courses.
"These trips usually involve lots of lunches, dinners and sightseeing," the officer said in an interview. "The idea is to show how much progress China is making and familiarize Hong Kong officers with counterparts over there."