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of the territory. In particular, the British prime minister emphasized
at a press conference in Hong Kong following her China stay that the 19th
century treaties governing the status of the colony remain the basis of
Britain's position, although she added that London would talk with Beijing
in the hope that the treaties could be varied by mutual agreement. She
was sharply criticized by a Chinese statement of the Foreign Ministry's
Information Department spokesman who said that Peking's "consistent position"
is that "China is not bound by the unequal treaties and that the whole Hong
3/ Kong area will be recovered when conditions are ripe."
Although secret talks between Britain and China have already entered their
second round in July 1983, British officials have been reluctant to discuss
the matter of Hong Kong's future status in anything but the most general
For their part, PRC leaders from time to time have commented to
Hong Kong visitors on China's concern for the future prosperity and stabil-
ity of the territory, while underlining China's determination to reassert
sovereignty.
terms.
A detailed description of PRC intentions was given by National People's
Congress Vice Chairman Liao Chengzhi, who was China's leading expert on
Hong Kong matters, in remarks to a visiting Hong Kong industrialist that
4/ were reported by the Hong Kong press in late November, 1982. Liao said
that China is determined to regain sovereignty over Hong Kong by 1997 "at
the latest." He clarified that Beijing does not want Britain to remain as
the administering agent of Hong Kong, but would rather the Hong Kong Govern-
China. Sept.
3/ Foreign Broadcast Information Service. Daily Report. China. 30, 1983.
4/ For press accounts of Liao's remarks, see Foreign Broadcast Daily Report. China. Nov. 23, 1982.