Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984

The position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government’s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong’s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong’s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong’s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we do not say this lightly.

The “one country, two systems” policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People’s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the “left”, insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the “one country, two systems” approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.

“One Country, Two Systems”, as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People’s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China’s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.

Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.

The concept of “One Country, Two Systems” was put forward by us in light of China’s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the “Three People’s Principles” promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, even if we aren’t unified in 100 years, we will be unified within 1000 years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.

[When considering how to solve many] of this world’s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the “one country, two systems” approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong’s historical and actual [present] circumstances.

We must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China’s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People’s Republic of China that has changed China’s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong’s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong’s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong’s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don’t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong’s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe.

At present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People’s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People’s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.

There will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland’s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China’s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.

Thirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.