17
Chou has said that in timing for the work on Hong Kong and Macau, we
must be prepared for a protracted warfare. This is quoted from a book
by Mao Tse-tung on the theory of protracted warfare. If we think care-
fully, it is not difficult for us to appreciate the political farsighted-
ness of Chou En-lai. The New Territories Lease is a complicated matter
involving historical factors, the existing special volitical environment
and specific economic and foreign exchange benefits.
Of course, such
important issues cannot be solved at once. To use protracted warfare'
in dealing with the Hong Kong issue is very appropriate.
Chou En-lai has openly spoken on the future of Hong Kong during his life-
time. He said that the question would be solved when the suitable opportunity
arrives. This statement is but diplomatic language as well as a kind of
application of the protracted warfare strategy. It implies that the
question of the New Territories Lease will be discussed in future, we
need not hurry.
At this stage, China's Central Government is actually complying.With the
will of Chou En-lai and is handling the Hong Kong issue carefully. This
was especially so during the past year. A strong leading group has been
set up in Xinhua News Agency (HK) with the appointment of Wang Kuang,
who was formerly the Director of the Propaganda Department of the Party's
Central-South Bureau as the First Director and Yang Yimu, who was formerly
the Secretary of Gansu Provincial Revolutionary Committee and Li Wenqing,
an experienced Xinhua reporter as Deputy Directors.
Secondly, for her own economic benefits, China has strived for more
foreign exchange and she is now more flexible in her external trade with
Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong