Published : 2024-09-24

On September 24, 1982, Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平) met with visiting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, where he clearly articulated the basic position of the Chinese government on the Hong Kong issue.

Deng Xiaoping stated that China's basic position on Hong Kong is clear, mainly involving three major issues:

One is sovereignty. Other is the way in which how China will administer Hong Kong so as to maintain its prosperity after 1997.

And still another is the need for the Chinese and British to hold appropriate discussions on the ways to avoid disturbances in Hong Kong over the next 15 years.

Regarding the first issue, Deng Xiaoping stated that "sovereignty is not negotiable". China has no room for manoeuvre, and if it does not reclaim Hong Kong, "any Chinese leader or government cannot explain it to the Chinese people, and can't explain it to the people of the world either."

In order to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity after 1997, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that China hoped to get Britain's cooperation, but it did not mean that continued prosperity could only be ensured under British administration.

Instead, China wanted friendly consultations between the governments of China and the United Kingdom.

Deng Xiaoping mentioned the concept of "one country, two systems" (一國兩制) at this time, "the political and economic systems and even the majority of the laws currently in force in Hong Kong may continue." "Capitalism will continue to be practiced in Hong Kong." 

Deng suggested that "an agreement be reached by two sides to begin consultation on the issue of Hong Kong. The premise is that China will recover Hong Kong in 1997. On this basis, consultation can be conducted on how to ensure the smooth transition in the next 15 years and on how Hong Kong will function after the 15 year transitional period."