CONFIDENTIAL
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- 25-
Appendix VI
Chinese Comments on Deng Xiaoping's Remarks made in 1982
Date
3.9.93
4.9.93
Official/Sources /Commentators
An article in the Bauhinia magazine
A bylined commentary by
CNA
Comments
Deng Xiaoping's remarks on the HK question made in 1982 at a meeting with then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher are still valid today. Mr Deng said that if HK were in a serious chaotic situation, China might take over the territory before 1997. The Patten package has sown the seeds of unrest by dividing the community. The Chinese Government does not want to see serious chaos in HK. It hopes the British Government would stop such chaos from emerging.
One can easily see that the Chinese side wishes to use Mr Deng's remarks in 1982 to reiterate its stand that no concessions on matters related to sovereignty will be made. If necessary, China will resort to drastic actions to protect its sovereignty.
CONFIDENTIAL