8 December, 1984
“Tensions have continued to mount over the future of Hong Kong, when a pair of Luda-class destroyers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy breached its territorial waters earlier today, loitering for several hours before withdrawing. The only significant Royal Navy presence in the territory at this time is the frigate ‘Battleaxe,’ with a squadron deployed yesterday still more than a week away from arrival. In London today, the Prime Minister downplayed the threat posed by China, calling it ‘ludicrous’ that war could be sparked between the two sides. She refused to budge on negotiations with China, maintaining the line that the territory’s future was one for the populace of Hong Kong to decide. In Beijing, leader Deng Xiaoping has condemned the British actions as imperialist, while nationalist protests have taken place outside the British Embassy in which several cars were overturned and set alight while rocks were thrown into the grounds of the embassy complex. President Reagan has reiterated his call for both sides to return to negotiations, and avoided the question of whether America would back Britain should armed conflict result. On the streets of Hong Kong there is calm, but under the surface a sense of nervousness prevails. The city government has advised residents to stock up on water and food, amid fears that China may cut off trade with Hong Kong in an effort to put pressure on the British to back down. One local businessman told the BBC he didn’t trust either side to remain cool-headed, saying “I worry that Thatcher doesn’t have the will to back down from a fight, it’s just not in her nature to do that. And China wants this city more than anything. If they back down, it’s a humiliation.”
The markets have echoed the public mood. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has suffered dramatic losses, which has reverberated in Singapore and Tokyo. Both the Bank of East Asia and CLP Group have seen their share price tumble, and Lloyd’s of London has refused to comment on whether it will increase insurance costs for shipping in the South China Sea.
9 December, 1984
“The first of nearly 2,000 British troops arrived in Hong Kong early this morning to back up the current garrison. Large C-130 aircraft from RAF Brize Norton flew in units of the 54th Infantry Brigade, who have been stationed north of the city in what the Ministry of Defence has called “a purely defensive operation.” The defensive force will include more than seventy light armoured vehicles belonging to the Royal Highland Fusiliers, but does not contain any tanks which may prove to be decisive in any battle against an armoured Chinese incursion. The Defence Secretary, Michael Heseltine, denied that the reinforcements were inadequate, citing the importance of the defences being light and mobile, while pointing out that they would be equipped with Milan anti-tank weapons. However, serious doubts have been raised about the competence of the defensive force, as well as the signal which it may send to Beijing. Scattered protests against the deployment have taken place in central London, but public opinion generally appears to be on the side of the Prime Minister. She was in Chester today, where she expressed optimism about tomorrow’s referendum on he future of Hong Kong, and that she would consider the result binding. She repeated what she said yesterday, inviting the Chinese government to send observers to polling stations to prove the referendum’s legitimacy.
In Hong Kong itself, rallies have taken place for both sides of the referendum question. The question asked of its citizens will be ‘Should Hong Kong be a British territory?’ with responders asked either yes or no. Police have reported that rallies for both sides have been peaceful and without disturbance, though there were uglier scenes at an anti-British protest earlier today, with protestors opposed to what they view as an unnecessary escalation of the situation by the British government, while rocks were reportedly thrown at British military vehicles heading north. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy has claimed that its frigate ‘Battleaxe’ was tracked and harassed by a Chinese submarine throughout the day, though Navy sources insisted that no danger was ever posed to the ship.”
10 December, 1984
“The referendum on the future sovereignty of Hong Kong took place today, but it has been overshadowed by the actions of China. This morning, the Chinese government cut off all electrical and water supply to Hong Kong, causing shortages across much of the city while all trade and travel between the two sides has also been cut. The action appears to have been taken to cause unrest in Hong Kong and to intimidate the populace amid the referendum, and in that it seems to be working. Looting has been reported in some parts of the city, while it is becoming openly claimed by many, including members of the city government, that a Chinese invasion is imminent. Few seem to be encouraged by the continued arrival of British forces; Hong Kong International Airport was shut down today, as the British military took over its administration and began stationing Tornado fighter-bombers there, while it has also become a hub for military operations. The presence of substantial Chinese military forces on the border has not changed, and additional incursions into Hong Kong’s airspace have taken place. Analysts believe that China is awaiting the result of the referendum before deciding its next action, but many experts are split on what this action may entail. The United Nations has urged both sides to return to negotiations, while huge nationalist rallies have taken place in the nearby cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with passing Chinese military convoys being draped in flowers while many buildings are covered with the nation’s flag. The result of the referendum will be known tomorrow, but it is unlikely that either side are willing to back down.”
