This is the first in a series of columns on the political and economic status of Hong Kong. On Sunday, the former British crown colony will mark its 10th anniversary as a special province of China.
HONG KONG — I don't envy Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang. He's about to commence his second term in the service of a pair of competing masters: One is the territory's people, evolving legislature and punchy news media; the other is Master Beijing.
With the 10th anniversary of this relatively new and wholly historic arrangement called "one country, two systems" coming up this weekend, it seemed a good time to check in with the chief executive. I found him psyched up about the handover anniversary, though well aware about Hong Kong's intense roller-coaster ride since 1997.