BEIJING, June 24: While Hong Kong is ready to revert to Chinese sovereignty without a shot being fired, the international media is all set to give unprecedented coverage on a war-footing to Hong Kong's return to Communist China after a long stint under British rule.

Terming it ``the media battle of the century'' is by no means an exaggeration with over 770 media organisations deploying their best contingents equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to capture the historic moment on midnight of June 30, when China resumes sovereignty over Hong Kong, officials in charge of the Hong Kong media centre said.With a galaxy of international guests and senior Chinese leaders including President Jiang Zemin scheduled to take part in the handover ceremonies, many Western journalists say, ``You can't afford not to be there.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.