1.   Talks between China and Hong Kong on the budget which will straddle the handover were nearly called off Wednesday because China wanted the earlier budget discussed too.

2.   China should allow officials recently elected to the district, municipal and electoral councils to finish their terms even if they straddled the handover.

3.   Eleven foreign inmates, whose sentences straddle the handover of sovereignty next July.

4.   The body is dominated by the Democratic Party which wants it to serve out its four-term, straddling the handover.

5.   The draft budget was determined jointly by Britain and China because it straddles the handover.

6.   The draft budget, which will be formally unveiled next Wednesday, was determined jointly by Britain and China because it straddles the handover.