TNAG-1239-FCO40-1552-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 150

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were not recovered, it would mean that the new China was like

he China of the Ching dynasty and the present leaders were like

Li Hongzhang. The Chinese People's Republic had waited for 33

years for the recovery of Hong Kong, and they would have to wait

another 15: it was only because the Chinese Government enjoyed

the full trust and faith of its people that it could wait such a

long time. But if in 15 years they had not recovered Hong Kong,

the people would have every reason no longer to put faith in their

leaders and the Chinese Government ought to retire voluntarily

from the political arena.

Mr. Deng Xiaoping said that this decision need not be announced

now; but that in no more than one or two years time the Chinese

Government would formally announce their decision to recover

"Therese?

during

Hong Kong. The only reason why they were postponing this decision

for a year or two was so that the Chinese and British Governments

could conduct friendly consultations so that major disturbances should

be prevented and so that the prosperity of Hong Kong would be

maintained. Time was needed to settle the future of Hong Kong:

that period the Government would also listen to certain circles in

Hong Kong and have discussions with them on the policies and principles

to be followed after the 15 year period. The Chinese Government

recognised that the policies would need to be acceptable not only

to the people of Hong Kong but also to investors including investors

from Britain. Time was needed. But an announcement could not be

put off for more than one or two years.

Mr. Deng Xiaoping said that he noted from Mrs. Thatcher's

statement that there were difficulties on the British side over

sovereignty. In his view an announcement of the Chinese resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong would bring a much bigger benefit because it meant that the period of colonialism would have ended in

Britain. In the past Britain had been known as the empire where the sun never set, but Britain had ended her colonial role in very many former colonies e.g. India, Singapore, Malaysia and many others. The Prime Minister interjecting said that there were 45 members of the United Nations which were former colonies brought to independence

by Britain. That was Britain's normal policy: the reason why it

could not be done in the case of Hong Kong was because of the

complications of the lease from China. She wanted to emphasise

that the British Government derived

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