TNAG-1239-FCO40-1552-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 156

disturbances.

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11.

He was sure that, as a result of full

consultation, the defined policies to be pursued after 1997 would be acceptable to the people of Hong Kong and to investors from various countries. These would not be adversely

affected nor would their interests be affected. That was not

the point which worried him. What China worried about was how to ensure a good transitional period in the coming fifteen years so that major disturbances did not occur. they did occur they would be man-made (artificial) not

natural.

If

??

The Prime Minister said that all disturbances were

created by man. Mr. Deng Xiaoping said that he meant that the disturbances would be created, not by Governments,

but by individuals, some Chinese, some British. Take for instance the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. No-one knew how many banknotes it had issued. Sir Edward Youde said that we knew. Mr. Deng Xiaoping agreed that we knew but said that the Hong Kong people he talked to did not. In any event, it would be easy for some people to create disturbances. consultations would be aimed at solving these problems. only should the two Governments not do anything which was detrimental to the maintenance of prosperity. They should also prevent some businessmen from doing things which were detrimental to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The

Not

Mr. Deng Xiaoping then suggested that the two sides should reach agreement to the effect that the two Governments would start discussions through diplomatic channels.

The pre- condition was that in 1997 China would recover sovereignty over Hong Kong. Under this pre-condition they would discuss how to ensure a good transitional period of fiteen years and what. would be done after fifteen years.

/ Mr. Deng Xiaoping

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