Indeed, the Chinese state has assumed privileges in Hong Kong previously reserved for the British crown - with significant implications for Hong Kong's constitutional relationship with China.
Under British rule, all British government agencies in Hong Kong were immune from local laws. But, after 1997, most observers expected that only China's Foreign Affairs Office and army garrison would enjoy such immunity. Instead, the Hong Kong government went further, granting the local office of the Xinhua News Agency immunity.
The move was significant: Xinhua is widely believed to be the headquarters of the Hong Kong Work Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, whose existence was acknowledged by the party newspaper, the People's Daily.
This exemption of the party branch in Hong Kong has been a stark symbol of the seeming return to colonial status, since it suggests Beijing expects to be involved in administering all aspects of Hong Kong. (5)
