After watching the army accept Hongkong's plan, Deng Xiaoping recognized two words: soft.

1984 In May, China and Britain were busy preparing for the docking of Hong Kong. The British diplomatic representative suddenly asked China that the PLA could not station in Hongkong.

The explanation given by Britain is:

Garrison in Hong Kong will affect the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and there will be a phenomenon of capital loss. Putting the troops in Shenzhen and entering Hong Kong from Guangdong have sufficient time to deal with them.

The leaders in charge of daily work and diplomacy of the Central Military Commission thought the request made by the British side was acceptable, and verbally agreed to this plan during the negotiations. However, after seeing these contents, Deng Xiaoping severely approved two words: "Soft!"

Deng Xiaoping said "soft", mainly because the attitude of the delegates in diplomatic negotiations is too immature. The garrison issue concerns China's sovereignty and face on the Hong Kong issue, and we can't make hasty promises to the other side.

On May 25th, when meeting with Hong Kong and Macao delegations, Deng Xiaoping solemnly said to them:

"The question about Hong Kong only counts when I tell him, and what others say doesn't count!"

Deng Xiaoping's words have two important meanings. His words, let the leaders who are in charge of diplomacy and preside over the daily work of the military commission, no longer have substantive significance. And "I'll talk to him" is the most important thing, which gives Ji Pengfei, director of the Attorney General's Committee of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the final decision in the negotiation of sovereign territory. Deng Xiaoping said:

"Hongkong is the territory of China, and stationing troops on its own territory is China's own independent right. What is the territory of China without this right? "

On 1992 after the 14th National Congress, Comrade Xiaoping called Liu Huaqing, then vice premier, to discuss the garrison with him.

Deng Xiaoping, after seeing the plan of the garrison reception port, said that the plan was "soft". He explained to Liu Huaqing:

"The army only prepares for peaceful reception, and it is not feasible to prepare for military reception. To be prepared for stress, you have the ability to cope with various situations if you are prepared. "

Deng Xiaoping's proposal on stationing troops made the 22nd round of negotiations between 12 and 1985 anxious. Britain has always insisted on this point, saying that it cannot accept China's proposal to station troops in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong society, there are also some nosy people who use this topic to create panic. It is rumored that China's military presence in Hong Kong will affect its interference in the normal affairs of Hong Kong. The British put pressure on public opinion in China with the words of nosy people. The Chinese representative attaches great importance to the feelings of Hong Kong people and is very entangled in the negotiations on this issue.

Moreover, under such circumstances, the British Government is trying to evade the possibility of China's garrison in Hong Kong by playing "cleverness". During the 12 to 22 rounds of negotiations, they mentioned that they had no great objection to China's right to station in Hong Kong, but opposed China's stationing in Hong Kong, rather than withdrawing from the British status. It means that entering Hong Kong in this capacity will bring greater social instability.

Deng Xiaoping is keenly aware of the political and social significance behind the garrison in Hong Kong. His decision will solve the problem that Hong Kong cannot station troops. This is of great historical significance and value to China at that time.

The British were not satisfied with what Deng Xiaoping had done, and they still tried to stop the China government from sending troops to Hong Kong.

On April 1984, British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe made a special trip to Deng Xiaoping during his visit to China. He hoped that China would remain cautious and calm on the issue of the garrison in Hong Kong, and must consider it carefully before making a decision. He stressed that the presence of troops in China at this time would have a very serious impact on Hong Kong society.

Deng Xiaoping did not compromise Jeffrey's threats, but conveyed his opinions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Military Commission, saying that he must stick to the idea of stationing troops. Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted the "Request for Instructions on the Scheme of Talks with the British Foreign Secretary on Hong Kong" to Deng Xiaoping, and Deng Xiaoping personally gave instructions on the content-he was determined not to compromise on the issue of stationing troops in Hong Kong, and he must insist on fighting for this right of himself.

He quickly summoned Jeffrey, said he and China government's decision, demanded:

"After 1997, China will send troops to Hong Kong one after another. This is a sign that China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, which is of great significance to Hong Kong and a major prerequisite for stability."

"The garrison issue is national sovereignty, but it does not have to be stationed."

On May 20th, 1984, Comrade Deng Xiaoping specially met with representatives from Hong Kong and Macao and CPPCC members to explain the situation to them. He made it clear to the outside world at the meeting that his speech had no effect except his attitude and that of Ji Pengfei, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office. As for Geng Biao's abrupt remarks, Comrade Deng Xiaoping also made a special explanation to refute rumors-on the issue of troops stationed in Hong Kong, the opinions and attitudes of the Central Committee have always been very tough.

"Hong Kong is to garrison, Hong Kong is the territory of China, and China has this right. British Foreign Secretary Jeffrey also admitted this, saying that China has the right to station troops. Such a clear thing shows that China has this right. "

Comrade Deng Xiaoping's speech inspired delegates and government officials attending the meeting. An old man over half a century was so excited to explain the problem at the meeting that he showed them the determination of the country to safeguard sovereignty. Xu Jiatun said:

The conversation at the meeting made him feel ashamed. Few people are as persistent and insightful as Comrade Deng Xiaoping in their determination to defend sovereignty.

Deng Xiaoping's series of measures finally dashed Britain's dream of softening China and abandoning its garrison. Since then, Britain has stopped trying to pressure China to give up its garrison right by various means. The issue of China's garrison in Hong Kong has also become a bottom line issue that China has always insisted on in the negotiations.

1986 Deng Xiaoping pointed out when meeting with An Zijie, Cha Jimin and others:

"Garrison is the embodiment of national sovereignty and a major prerequisite for social stability. There are still unstable factors in Hong Kong. When unstable situations arise, when we think of the army, the problem will become very serious. Garrison is the key to ensure social stability. Without garrison, society will not be stable. "

Why is Xiaoping so determined on the issue of garrison?

Deng Xiaoping has always had its own views on this issue, believing that the garrison issue is not only a sovereignty issue, but also a necessary factor to defend society. Deng Xiaoping looks at the problem from a higher level, and has foreseen the possible problems at other levels. And his approach also allows the central government to quickly resolve conflicts when problems arise in Hong Kong.

From the very beginning, Hong Kong residents gradually supported the arrival of troops stationed in Hong Kong. The troops stationed in Hong Kong have always adhered to the principle of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"-in principle, they will not interfere with the normal social order in Hong Kong, and if problems arise, they will be solved immediately.

The Hong Kong media also asked the Hong Kong police whether the PLA's presence in Hong Kong had brought some new changes and unstable factors to the society. Hong Kong police said that after the troops stationed in Hong Kong, some traffic friction accidents occurred. However, after the accident, they will consult and cooperate with the police at the first time, and submit the information of military drivers to the Hong Kong police in time to facilitate the police's investigation.

A year later, the attitude of Hong Kong society towards the troops stationed in Hong Kong changed from initial vigilance to support. From the headlines reported by the Hong Kong media that year, we can see the support of the Hong Kong media and ordinary people for the garrison-"Hong Kong people: the PLA is no longer terrible" and "Hong Kong people's anxiety about the PLA has greatly decreased".

1997 September 15, the US Pacific Fleet led a Nimitz formation to visit Hong Kong. Clemins (commander of the Pacific Fleet) said meaningfully after seeing the orderly barracks of the People's Liberation Army and their help to all parts of society:

"After that, there is a strong and reliable army behind Hong Kong."

After 2000, the troops stationed in Hong Kong invited Hong Kong 1 10,000 citizens to visit the Hong Kong military camp. More than 10,000 Hong Kong citizens, old and young, entered the military camp and felt strong when they saw the PLA with strict military discipline. Many citizens moved to say:

"It is the happiest thing in our life to see such capable troops stationed in Hong Kong. We can rest assured that they are in Hong Kong. "

In fact, it is not easy for the troops stationed in Hong Kong to gain the support of Hong Kong people and be recognized by Hong Kong society. Looking back at the initial stage of their presence in Hong Kong, the situation was very bad. Deng Xiaoping once explained the situation with the head of the troops stationed in Hong Kong on this issue:

"1997 July 1 is a very important day. The troops stationed in Hong Kong should enter Hong Kong on time and on time, control the situation with the final decision, and prevent Britain from delaying for various reasons. "

The troops stationed in Hong Kong entered Hong Kong smoothly that night, and the reception work was carried out in an orderly manner without any mistakes. The reason for this situation is also attributed to a "spy" within the Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong. The spy revealed to the British that Comrade Deng Xiaoping had instructed senior leading cadres to prepare a plan to take over Hong Kong by force. After learning the situation, the British dare not play tricks on this issue easily.

After the troops stationed in Hong Kong entered the military camp, they saw that the British army had left clean knives and forks and all kinds of intact equipment, which really put their hanging hearts down. Assuming that China was unprepared and unaware of the threat, it was hard to imagine what would happen in Hong Kong at that time.

The rationality and goodwill of the other party are based on equal strength, and they will be willing to give a good attitude. It must be said that the leaders at that time not only had overall strategic thinking, but also made perfect preparations for various issues. Since the troops stationed in Hong Kong successfully entered Hong Kong, they have kept a low profile and strict management requirements. The troops stationed in Hong Kong have been under closed management for a long time, and we will never allow unnecessary situations to appear everywhere and affect the social order in Hong Kong.

In 2000, when the State Council's Asia-Pacific Office reported to the White House, it especially explained the situation of the Hong Kong garrison to the then American leaders:

"The People's Liberation Army kept a low profile to a large extent. After successfully entering Hong Kong to receive British facilities and equipment stationed in Hong Kong, it disappeared from public view. The high discipline requirements are shocking. " (Hong Kong Policy and Law Report)

Deng Shouren, the last British commander stationed in Hong Kong, visited the barracks of China's troops stationed in Hong Kong and saw this disciplined force sigh:

"We are surprised by your discipline and professionalism. If there is an opportunity, I would like to join you and be an ordinary company commander. "

The PLA can show such good manners thanks to Deng Xiaoping's persistence decades ago.