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Beijing's basic political and economic interests in Hong Kong also seem
to complicate the situation as they appear to pull PRC policy in contradictory
directions. Politically, Beijing leaders reportedly are pushed by anti-impe-
rialist ideological and political imperatives, stemming from the deep and bitter.
experience of China over the past century, to reassert strongly their sover-
eignty over the colony and to eliminate vestiges of British colonial rule.
A firm stand regarding sovereignty over Hong Kong is also thought to be sup-
ported in the Chinese leadership in order to clarify to foreign leaders with an
interest in other territories claimed by China (e.g. Taiwan, Vietnamese-
controlled islands in the South China Sea, and Soviet controlled territory
along the Sino-Soviet frontier). that China.is determined to reassert its
right to rule lands it regards as Chinese.
At the same time, however, Beijing appears to have important political
reasons to avoid a strong reassertion of authority that could disrupt the
social and economic status quo in Hong Kong. In particular, any PRC actions
which promoted a serious downturn in Hong Kong's economic prosperity or
its social-political order would probably undermine Beijing's repeated
pledges to the people on Taiwan that reunification of Taiwan with the main-
land would not involve any change in the island's social or economic life.
Such a disruption might increase support in Taiwan and abroad for a future
status for the island independent of mainland control.
Conversely, if China
were to succeed in reasserting sovereignty over Hong Kong with minimal dis-
ruption to the social-economic order there, its promises of "peaceful re-
unification" of Taiwan could gain greater credibility both in Taiwan and
elsewhere.
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