4 December, 1984
“The Prime Minister today pulled British negotiators out of talks with China over the future of Hong Kong, labelling as ‘unacceptable’ the attitude of the Chinese government. Beijing has maintained its claimed right to impose China’s socialist system on Hong Kong, which has been protested by both the city government and numerous Members of Parliament.”
5 December, 1984
“Sources in China and Hong Kong, including within the British military garrison defending the territory, have reported that Chinese military forces are massing on the border with Hong Kong. It is believed that they are part of an effort by Beijing to pressure Britain into returning to negotiations over the future of Hong Kong. The Prime Minister is due to make a statement on the issue to the House of Commons tomorrow evening.”
6 December, 1984
“The Prime Minister today delivered a scathing condemnation of the behaviour of the Chinese government in regard to the negotiations over the future of the territory of Hong Kong. In a statement to the Commons, Mrs Thatcher claimed that China had been ‘brazen’ about its ignorance of the wishes of the people of Hong Kong. She announced that additional British forces were to be airlifted to Hong Kong to reinforce the current garrison. The Prime Minister then appeared to lay down a gauntlet to China, announcing that a public referendum would be held in which the citizens of Hong Kong would decide the territory’s future. Mrs Thatcher has received cross-party support for this announcement, with Labour leader Neil Kinnock calling the proposed referendum ‘the best possible outcome for the people of Hong Kong – the one chance where it is they, not the suits behind closed doors, but they who get to decide their own destiny.’ The announcement received condemnation by the Chinese and Soviet governments, with Beijing decrying it as “vile imperialism” as Mrs Thatcher appears to tear up the Treaty of Nanking.”
7 December, 1984
“Air raid sirens today sounded throughout Hong Kong and people rushed for shelter, as on four occasions Chinese warplanes breached the territory’s airspace. While no shots have been fired, this provocation is a clear signal to London that China is prepared to go further in reclaiming its former territories which remain under foreign control. The Prime Minister was unrepentant, as she invoked the Treaty of Nanking by claiming that Hong Kong had been ceded to Britain “in perpetuity” according to the treaty, and so China did not have a legitimate claim to the territory. Meanwhile, the proposed referendum on Hong Kong’s sovereignty has been scheduled for Monday, with turnout expected to be high while polls show widespread support for remaining a British territory. Some citizens however have suggested that the referendum include an option for full membership of the United Kingdom, though the Foreign Office has rejected such suggestions. In Washington today, President Reagan avoided taking sides in the conflict but has ordered the deployment of a carrier group to the South China Sea, amid fears of escalation. Similarly, the first British reinforcements arrived in Hong Kong as additional Chinese forces were spotted near the border. The Royal Navy has also deployed additional units to the territory, to protect it from Chinese naval incursions.”
“The Prime Minister today pulled British negotiators out of talks with China over the future of Hong Kong, labelling as ‘unacceptable’ the attitude of the Chinese government. Beijing has maintained its claimed right to impose China’s socialist system on Hong Kong, which has been protested by both the city government and numerous Members of Parliament.”
5 December, 1984
“Sources in China and Hong Kong, including within the British military garrison defending the territory, have reported that Chinese military forces are massing on the border with Hong Kong. It is believed that they are part of an effort by Beijing to pressure Britain into returning to negotiations over the future of Hong Kong. The Prime Minister is due to make a statement on the issue to the House of Commons tomorrow evening.”
6 December, 1984
“The Prime Minister today delivered a scathing condemnation of the behaviour of the Chinese government in regard to the negotiations over the future of the territory of Hong Kong. In a statement to the Commons, Mrs Thatcher claimed that China had been ‘brazen’ about its ignorance of the wishes of the people of Hong Kong. She announced that additional British forces were to be airlifted to Hong Kong to reinforce the current garrison. The Prime Minister then appeared to lay down a gauntlet to China, announcing that a public referendum would be held in which the citizens of Hong Kong would decide the territory’s future. Mrs Thatcher has received cross-party support for this announcement, with Labour leader Neil Kinnock calling the proposed referendum ‘the best possible outcome for the people of Hong Kong – the one chance where it is they, not the suits behind closed doors, but they who get to decide their own destiny.’ The announcement received condemnation by the Chinese and Soviet governments, with Beijing decrying it as “vile imperialism” as Mrs Thatcher appears to tear up the Treaty of Nanking.”
7 December, 1984
“Air raid sirens today sounded throughout Hong Kong and people rushed for shelter, as on four occasions Chinese warplanes breached the territory’s airspace. While no shots have been fired, this provocation is a clear signal to London that China is prepared to go further in reclaiming its former territories which remain under foreign control. The Prime Minister was unrepentant, as she invoked the Treaty of Nanking by claiming that Hong Kong had been ceded to Britain “in perpetuity” according to the treaty, and so China did not have a legitimate claim to the territory. Meanwhile, the proposed referendum on Hong Kong’s sovereignty has been scheduled for Monday, with turnout expected to be high while polls show widespread support for remaining a British territory. Some citizens however have suggested that the referendum include an option for full membership of the United Kingdom, though the Foreign Office has rejected such suggestions. In Washington today, President Reagan avoided taking sides in the conflict but has ordered the deployment of a carrier group to the South China Sea, amid fears of escalation. Similarly, the first British reinforcements arrived in Hong Kong as additional Chinese forces were spotted near the border. The Royal Navy has also deployed additional units to the territory, to protect it from Chinese naval incursions.”
