1.   Most hotels required visitors to reserve at least five nights over the handover period, creating thousands of bookings that were later canceled.

2.   She found Hong Kong less crowded than her first visit during the handover period.

3.   Supt Sin attributed the drop in arrests to tighter security by Hong Kong police and co-operation with the mainland authorities, particularly during the handover period.

4.   The Associated Press has tripled its number of reporters in Hong Kong for the handover period, and Associated Press Television has brought in eight tons of equipment.

5.   The army had banned Israelis from Nablus as of Sunday to avoid attacks on them during the delicate handover period.

6.   The army banned Israelis from Tulkarem on Saturday afternoon to avoid attacks on them during the delicate handover period.

7.   The surge was sparked by increased consumer spending over the handover period, Mr Chan said.

8.   Understandably, one reaction to this has been to suggest the hurried parliamentary passage of constitutional amendments drastically shortening the handover period.

9.   Although the handover period is an official holiday in the territory, the registries are generally open during holidays.

10.   Analysts say the tourism industry is battling a widespread -- and erroneous -- belief that all local hotels have long been booked for the handover period.