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REACTIONS TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO PEKING : SEPTEMBER 1982
1. The Prime Minister visited China and Hong Kong in September
1982. During her visit to China, the first ever by a British Prime Minister in office, one of the subjects discussed was Hong Kong. The following statement was issued after a meeting between Mrs
Thatcher and Chairman Deng Xiaoping on 24 September:
"Today the leaders of both countries held far-reaching talks
in a friendly atmosphere on the future of Hong Kong. Both
leaders made clear their respective positions on this
subject.
They agreed to enter talks through diplomatic channels
following the visit with the common aim of maintaining
the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong".
The Prime Minister gave press conferences on 24 September in Peking
and on 27 September in Hong Kong.
Reactions in China
2. Before his talks with the Prime Minister on 23 September, Zhao
Ziyang told Hong Kong reporters that "China of course has to resume
sovereignty". This was reported prominently in the Hong Kong press. In reporting the statement issued after the Prime Minister's talks
with Deng Xiaoping, the New China News Agency in Peking added
that "The Chinese Government's position on the question of
sovereignty of the whole region of Hong Kong is unequivocal and
known to all".
3.
The Prime Minister's remarks in her press conference in
Hong Kong about the treaties under which HMG administers Hong Kong brought a sharp reaction from the Chinese. On 30 September, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman in Peking issued the following
statement:-
"Hong Kong is part of Chinese territory. The treaties
concerning the Hong Kong area signed between the British
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