Khruschev surmised that it would be too embarrassing for China to make a statement on Hong Kong and Macau. So he decided to exploit the situation. He never dreamt that Mao and Zhou, having formulated their policies, would not hesitate to declare them openly. The move not only set back the plans of the Soviet revisionists, but also set many hearts at case. Chinese leaders have subsequently reiterated its stand on many occasions as exemplified below:
In 1964, China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chen Yi, told the chief editor of the Vienna Newspaper in Austria that the question of Hong Kong and Macau was a question for the future.
In 1966, Mr. Chen Yi told a Brazilian lawyer that China would wait for an appropriate time to solve the question of Hong Kong and Macau.
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In 1972, the then British Foreign Minister, Sir Alex Douglas Holmes, visited Beijing and held talks with Mr. Zhou Enlai. Sir Alex later said he had discussed with the Chinese leaders on affairs relating to Hong Kong but nothing was mentioned concerning its status in future. He said both parties were happy with the present circumstances. It should be particularly noted that the above was said at a time when China was still in the period of cultural revolution.
During the same year, the Chinese representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Mr. Wang Runsheng, in saying that some people were trying to make an issue of the so-called "Chinese refugees" in Hong Kong and Macau, pointed out that Hong Kong and Macau were part of China's territory and that Chinese frequently travelled between Hong Kong, Macau and other parts of China.
In 1976, a British writer, Mr. Richard Hughes, disclosed in one of his books on Hong Kong that Chinese officials had told interviewers from Hong Kong that concerning the future of Hong Kong, "We do not have time yet to think about it. For the present moment, my advise for you is to relax and go back to Hong Kong and do things that capitalists should do to gain more money for us as well as for yourselves." At that time,
the Gang of Four was not yet in disgrace.
In 1977, the Asian Wall Street Journal carried a report saying that when a delegation, consisting leading members from several Hong Kong commercial consortia, paid a visit to Beijing, Liao Chengzhi asked them to work hard for Hong Kong's prosperity. He said: "Mao Zedong has said that China would not take Hong Kong back before Taiwan is being liberated.” Liao also asked Hong Kong businessmen to put their hearts at case and not sell their proporties for emigration elsewhere. (Such a situation occurred in 1967).
the Red Flag, published an article written
The article, when commenting on the Macau should be improved, said "Hong
In the same year, a Chinese periodical, by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Mr. Li Qiang. question of whether supplies to Hong Kong and Kong and Macau are part of our territory and more than 98 per cent of the residents there are our compatriots. The question of Hong Kong and Macau is an inherited one, which will be dealt with in an appropriate way at the right time". This can be said to be the most formal and clear expression concerning China's policy on Hong Kong and Macau in recent years.
The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Murray MacLehose, accepted Li Qiang's invitation and paid an official visit to Beijing in March and April this year. This shows that the relationship between Hong Kong and China has never been better. It will be unbelievable if Li Qiang had not told Sir Murray about the spirit of the above expression.
So, by saying that Song Zhiguang was "playing an old tune", we have no intention to praise or to belittle him. We are only trying to establish the fact. In fact, it does not matter if it is an old tune as long as it is a good tune which is comforting to listen.