Chapter Summaries

After the Motherland’s leaders and Hong Kong Island’s senior figures departed, Zhou Quan joined his future top boss, Mr. Dong, for a private conversation. Mr. Dong asked how Zhou Quan viewed the Police Force and his own future, leaving Zhou to answer.

• Old Mr. Qian praised Zhou Quan’s loyalty to the Motherland and left in the Hongqi Ceremonial Car.
• Zhou Quan saw Mr. Huo off, and Mr. Huo invited him to visit when he had time.
• Zhou Quan opened the door for Mr. Dong, who invited him into the Lexus for a chat.
• Mr. Dong addressed Zhou Quan as Chun and asked how he viewed the Police Force and his future.

Zhou Quan told Mr. Dong that the Police Force should uphold the rule of law and protect the interests of the Motherland and Hong Kong Island, while promising to follow the government’s and Police Force leadership’s arrangements. Mr. Dong praised him and considered entrusting him with greater responsibilities, while Zhou returned to Tai Kwun after the senior figures entered a preparatory committee meeting.

• Zhou Quan reflected that Mr. Dong was testing him and answered that the Police Force should obey the special administrative region government and uphold the law.
• Zhou Quan said the Police Force must protect the stability and interests of the Motherland and Hong Kong Island, and that he would follow future leadership arrangements.
• Mr. Dong praised Zhou Quan’s answer, showed his appreciation, and said he looked forward to Zhou’s future work.
• Mr. Dong went to meet senior figures of the Hong Kong Island Reunification Preparatory Committee, while Zhou returned to the Police Force’s Tai Kwun in a Security Department vehicle.
• Zhou Quan’s most important security work of the year temporarily concluded, allowing him to relax.

As Hong Kong Island’s return approached, Zhou Quan and other Police Force leaders learned that Mr. Xixian had died before he could see the handover. They vowed to keep Hong Kong Island peaceful and ensure the return went smoothly in his honor.

• The Police Force, backed by the Motherland’s forces, maintained stability on Hong Kong Island as its return drew near.
• On February 20, 1997, Zhou Quan received the news that Mr. Xixian had passed away the previous night.
• Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai joined Lok Ming-wah in his office, where they mourned that Mr. Xixian had missed the handover by only a few months.
• Lok Ming-wah urged Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai to preserve Hong Kong Island’s stability and make sure nothing went wrong with its return.
• Lok Ming-wah, Zhou Quan, and Lau Kit-fai drank to Mr. Xixian’s memory, then solemnly saluted and reaffirmed their duty.

On the morning of Hong Kong Island’s handover, Zhou Quan ordered the Security Department’s Action Group to put on the new Special Administrative Region police insignia ahead of schedule and deployed his officers for the ceremonies. He focused on securing the Harbour Plaza Hotel in Hung Hom, where the Motherland’s delegation and senior leaders would stay, and was joined by West Kowloon officers led by Cheng Chung-yan.

• At Tai Kwun headquarters, Zhou Quan assembled his officers in the Police Force’s incoming operational uniforms, with the G4 VIP Protection Group remaining in plain clothes.
• Zhou Quan ordered the men to replace their old insignia with the new Special Administrative Region police badges and rank insignia.
• After the officers checked their equipment, Zhou Quan sent teams to key areas under the security plan and departed for the Harbour Plaza Hotel with Chow Sing Sing and Kwan Man Chin.
• Zhou Quan assigned Luo Danian to command security at the Convention and Exhibition Centre while he prioritized the Harbour Plaza Hotel, where Motherland delegation members and senior leaders would stay.
• After Zhou Quan crossed the Hung Hom Tunnel, Cheng Chung-yan and West Kowloon officers joined him to assist with security around the hotel.

Zhou Quan took command of West Kowloon’s police teams and secured the Harbour Plaza Hotel ahead of the handover ceremony. He met Major General Liu and Xu Zhengyang, who entrusted him with coordinating the hotel’s security operation.

• Zhou Quan ordered Cheng Chung-yan to lead West Kowloon teams in securing the area around the Harbour Plaza Hotel.
• Zhou Quan, Chow Sing Sing, Kwan Man Chin, and more than thirty Security Department officers took up positions in the hotel lobby while Zhongnanhai guards and Hong Kong Garrison personnel remained concealed.
• Zhou Quan greeted Major General Liu and Xu Zhengyang after they came down from the upper floors.
• Major General Liu asked Zhou Quan to oversee hotel security and said Xu Zhengyang would represent the Hong Kong Garrison and cooperate with the police operation.

Zhou Quan took charge of security at Kai Tak Airport when the mainland delegation arrived early, then welcomed its leader with an impassioned declaration of loyalty. The delegation prepared to travel to Harbour Plaza Hotel, leaving Zhou Quan standing before them in a rare moment of open emotion.

• After the Airport Police District alerted him that the delegation was arriving early by plane, Zhou Quan left Kwan Man Chin in charge at Harbour Plaza Hotel and rushed to Kai Tak Airport with Chow Sing Sing and T Group.
• Zhou Quan coordinated with the Airport Special Duties Unit and other police teams to secure the airport, control the route, and deploy officers and snipers along the runway.
• The delegation's plane landed, and Zhou Quan took command of airport security as mainland representatives and Hong Kong Island's future officials gathered to welcome the arriving leaders.
• The delegation met Mr. Dong, Sir Hui, and other representatives before its ceremonial motorcade prepared to take it to Harbour Plaza Hotel.
• The delegation's leader approached Zhou Quan, praised him as the Police Force's youngest Senior Superintendent, and patted his shoulder; Zhou Quan stood at attention and fervently declared, "Serve the country with unwavering loyalty! Serve Hong Kong Island!"

Zhou Quan escorted the delegation to the Convention and Exhibition Centre for the handover ceremony, then sent Chow Sing Sing and He Wenzhan to delay the foreigners’ motorcade. The chapter ended as their team began setting up roadblocks along its route.

• The old gentleman praised Zhou Quan before leaving Kai Tak Airport for the Harbour Plaza Hotel, where Zhou Quan resumed command of security.
• Zhou Quan led the ceremonial motorcade from the hotel to the Convention and Exhibition Centre ahead of the handover ceremony.
• As the motorcade passed through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Chow Sing Sing handed rear security command to Kwan Man Chin and drove to meet He Wenzhan.
• Chow Sing Sing learned that the foreigners’ motorcade was on Cotton Tree Drive and ordered He Wenzhan to proceed with their plan to delay it.
• He Wenzhan directed T Group members and traffic officers to set up roadblocks at the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Tim Wah Road.

Chow Sing Sing and He Wenzhan stopped Chris Patten’s convoy on its way to the Hong Kong Island handover ceremony, forcing the last Governor to take a detour. The convoy turned around while Chow Sing Sing watched with contempt.

• Chow Sing Sing and He Wenzhan waited for Chris Patten’s convoy at an intersection where Traffic Police had blocked the road.
• Chow Sing Sing led He Wenzhan and the T Group officers past an MI5 agent and told him they needed to report a serious accident to the Governor.
• Chow Sing Sing informed Chris Patten that the road ahead was impassable and ordered the convoy to take another route.
• Chris Patten gave up trying to force his way through and ordered the convoy to turn around via Harcourt Road.
• Chow Sing Sing watched the convoy turn around and sneered at the foreigners.

Zhou Quan helped delay Chris Patten’s motorcade, allowing the Motherland’s leaders to enter the handover ceremony first. He watched from outside as Hong Kong returned to the Motherland at midnight on July 1, 1997.

• The Grand Elder and Mr. Dong inferred that Zhou Quan had caused trouble for the Governor’s Office motorcade and entered the Convention and Exhibition Centre ahead of the foreigners.
• Chris Patten’s motorcade arrived late, and Chris Patten angrily confronted Zhou Quan, who accepted the accusation with a smile.
• The handover ceremony began, and Zhou Quan remained stationed outside, unable to see what happened inside.
• At midnight on July 1, 1997, the Motherland’s national anthem sounded as fireworks formed a five-star Hongqi over the bay.
• Zhou Quan and other patriots watched Hong Kong return to the Motherland and shed tears of celebration.

After Hong Kong’s handover, Zhou Quan reported to the Police Force and learned that the management meeting had arranged promotions for him and Lau Kit-fai. Lok Ming-wah had yet to explain what his own future position would be.

• Zhou Quan arrived at Tai Kwun and saw the Police Force displaying its new insignia beneath the national and regional flags.
• Xu Yongji told Zhou Quan that Lok Ming-wah had called him to his office after the Police Force management meeting.
• Zhou Quan met Lok Ming-wah and Lau Kit-fai in Lok’s office and joked that Lok might have been promoted.
• Lok Ming-wah explained that the Police Force’s core leadership would remain unchanged, while Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai would be promoted to senior superintendent once the appointments were formally approved.
• Zhou Quan wondered what role Lok Ming-wah would take, since he already held the rank of senior superintendent.

Lok Ming-wah told Zhou Quan he was leaving the Police Force for the Security Branch, while Lau Kit-fai was being transferred to the Personnel Department and Zhou would take over as Head of the Security Department. Zhou saw the appointment as a chance to advance his plan to propose a National Security Law and rise into Hong Kong Island’s decision-making ranks.

• Lok Ming-wah told Zhou Quan he planned to transfer to the Security Branch under the Department of Justice and enter the civil service.
• Lok Ming-wah explained that the Police Force management meeting had confirmed Lau Kit-fai’s transfer to the Personnel Department.
• Lok Ming-wah said Zhou Quan would take over as Head of the Security Department once the appointment was formally published.
• Zhou Quan welcomed the news and considered how the new post would let him propose the National Security Law.

Zhou Quan, Lok Ming-wah, and Lau Kit-fai discussed their changing roles in the Police Force as Lau prepared to take a Senior Superintendent post in the Personnel Department. Lau asked Zhou for his thoughts on who should become Administrative Supervisor of the Security Department, leaving Zhou to consider an appointment that fell within his growing influence.

• Lok Ming-wah and Lau Kit-fai accepted that Zhou Quan had won the contest to lead the Security Department, while Lau would take over Lok’s influence in the Personnel Department.
• Lau concluded that the Personnel Department suited his experience and prospects better than the Security Department, and that he would remain reliant on Lok’s support.
• Lok Ming-wah told Zhou Quan that he had called him in to discuss another matter, then asked Lau Kit-fai to explain it.
• Lau Kit-fai asked Zhou Quan what he thought about the position of Administrative Supervisor in the Security Department, which would become vacant during the Police Force reshuffle.

Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai agreed to cooperate in securing promotions during the Police Force reshuffle. They backed Chow Sing Sing and Kwan Man Chin for the Security Department’s two Deputy Head posts, with Lau Kit-fai and Lok Ming-wah offering support for the selection process.

• Zhou Quan understood that Lau Kit-fai wanted to help keep the two vacant Senior Superintendent posts within the Security Department in exchange for mutual support in promoting trusted subordinates.
• Zhou Quan agreed to cooperate and proposed Chow Sing Sing for Deputy Head of Operations and Kwan Man Chin for Deputy Head of Administration.
• Lau Kit-fai approved both candidates, noting Chow Sing Sing’s operational ability and Kwan Man Chin’s record protecting dignitaries.
• Lau Kit-fai offered to arrange the Selection Board, and Lok Ming-wah pledged help from colleagues in the Personnel Department.

Zhou Quan secured Lok Ming-wah and Lau Kit-fai’s support for filling two Senior Superintendent posts in the Security Department, agreeing to help Lau promote Xu Yongji. He then summoned his four trusted subordinates to discuss their futures as the Security Department faced more challenges ahead.

• Zhou Quan toasted Lok Ming-wah and Lau Kit-fai for helping Chow Sing Sing and Kwan Man Chin advance.
• Lau Kit-fai asked Zhou Quan to help promote Xu Yongji, a conscientious officer who had served with him in the Personnel Department.
• Zhou Quan agreed to handle Xu Yongji’s promotion, and the three men ended their meeting on friendly terms.
• Zhou Quan called Chow Sing Sing and three other subordinates to his office to make arrangements for their futures.

Zhou Quan told his four trusted commanders that he would take over the Security Department and proposed Chow Sing Sing and Kwan Man Chin for its two deputy head positions. He offered Luo Danian and Lok Kai-cheung the choice of waiting for future posts or seeking transfers, and both chose to stay with him.

• Zhou Quan told Chow Sing Sing, Kwan Man Chin, Luo Danian, and Lok Kai-cheung that he would become head of the Security Department.
• Zhou Quan recommended Chow Sing Sing to oversee operations and Kwan Man Chin to head the Administration Group.
• Kwan Man Chin argued that Luo Danian was better suited to head administration, but Luo Danian supported Kwan Man Chin’s promotion.
• Zhou Quan told Luo Danian and Lok Kai-cheung that he might create two more senior superintendent positions or help them transfer to police districts.
• Luo Danian and Lok Kai-cheung chose to remain in the Security Department and continue working under Zhou Quan.

At Tai Kwun, Mr. Dong oversaw Police Force appointments and presented new Chief Executive’s Commendations to Sir Hui and Zhou Quan, marking the force’s transition into a Chinese-led era. Zhou Quan received two achievement rewards for his promotion and commendation as officers continued receiving honors.

• Mr. Dong addressed the Tai Kwun assembly, and Sir Hui announced changes to Senior Superintendent appointments and transfers.
• The appointments placed Zhou Quan in charge of the Security Department and Lau Kit-fai in the Personnel Department, while foreign Senior Superintendents were retired, reassigned, or posted to smaller districts.
• Mr. Dong fastened a new Red Chicken Rope on Sir Hui, then presented Zhou Quan with the second Chief Executive’s Commendation since the handover.
• Zhou Quan declared his commitment to loyalty, courage, perseverance, and serving Hong Kong Island, and Mr. Dong suggested the words as a Police Force slogan.
• As the Commissioner's Commendations continued, Zhou Quan received achievement rewards for becoming Senior Superintendent and earning the Chief Executive’s Commendation: Explosive Maniac and Driving Mastery.

After Zhou Quan was promoted to Senior Superintendent and secured the position of Head of the Security Department, he met his senior fellow disciples to discuss bringing the National Security Law to the authorities. He proposed calling Mr. Dong and, if he was available, presenting the bill to him that night.

• Zhou Quan reflected on how his new achievement rewards enhanced his abilities with explosives and vehicles.
• After the Police Force meeting ended, Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai arranged promotion procedures for Chow Sing Sing, Kwan Man Chin, and Xu Yongji.
• Zhou Quan drove to Oswald's villa, where Oswald and Lai Wing-lim congratulated him on becoming a Senior Superintendent.
• Oswald asked whether Zhou Quan was ready to submit the National Security Law to the higher-ups.
• Zhou Quan said he planned to call Mr. Dong and proposed that the three of them visit him with the bill if he was available.

Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim sought an urgent meeting with Mr. Dong to present their draft National Security Law. Mr. Dong warned Zhou Quan about bypassing official channels but agreed to hear them, and the three arrived at his residence.

• Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim prepared to present their draft National Security Law to Mr. Dong.
• Zhou Quan called Mr. Dong and explained that the three had an important matter to report.
• Mr. Dong cautioned Zhou Quan about overstepping his authority, then offered the three a brief chance to explain themselves over dinner.
• Zhou Quan took the draft, and he and his senior fellow disciples drove to Mr. Dong's residence.
• Mr. Dong's private secretary escorted Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim to meet him.

Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim presented Mr. Dong with their National Security Law draft, which he recognized as a way to fill a major legal gap threatening Hong Kong Island’s stability. After reading it, Mr. Dong welcomed them into his study, where Zhou Quan proposed bypassing the not-yet-established Legislative Council and asking the Motherland to implement the law directly.

• Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim gave Mr. Dong their National Security Law draft, which they had been preparing since the previous year.
• Mr. Dong read the five-section proposal and recognized that it could fill the legal vacuum concerning national sovereignty and security.
• Mr. Dong postponed dinner and invited the three men into his study for a private discussion.
• Zhou Quan said the law would face strong resistance but was essential to the Motherland and Hong Kong Island.
• Zhou Quan proposed that Mr. Dong submit the draft to the higher authorities and ask the Motherland to implement it directly, bypassing the not-yet-established Legislative Council.

Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim won Mr. Dong’s support for enacting the National Security Law outside the ordinary Legislative Council process. After a discreet dinner and discussion, Zhou Quan left confident that the law could protect Hong Kong Island and advance his own career.

• Oswald and Lai Wing-lim both supported Zhou Quan’s proposal to have the authorities enact the National Security Law directly, bypassing the Legislative Council.
• Mr. Dong placed the draft bill in his desk drawer, signaling his agreement, then invited Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim to dinner.
• Mr. Dong hosted the three men for a simple meal and later discussed their respective work with them without mentioning the law’s next steps.
• Mr. Dong personally saw Zhou Quan, Oswald, and Lai Wing-lim out of his home after ending their discussion at eight o’clock.
• In Zhou Quan’s vehicle, the three men shared their satisfaction, while Zhou Quan anticipated that implementing the law could lead to his Security Department’s expansion and his own promotion.