509 Chinese Soldiers Arriving a Bit Early

Britain agreed to allow 509 Chinese troops into Hong Kong hours before the colony’s return to China, ending a last-minute stalemate. The troops will drive into Hong Kong in passenger vehicles rather than armored vehicles at 9 p.m. on June 30, three hours earlier than scheduled, to be in place when China takes control of the British territory at midnight. London had resisted the move but yielded after Beijing insisted that the forces are needed to protect Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who will attend ceremonies marking the hand-over. Almost 200 unarmed People’s Liberation Army troops are already in Hong Kong to set up facilities for the main military force.