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The power balance between the US, UK, and China in 1984 was far more in favor of the US and the UK than it is now and they still caved to Chinese demands vis a
by RcouF1uZ4gsC 5y ago
The power balance between the US, UK, and China in 1984 was far more in favor of the US and the UK than it is now and they still caved to Chinese demands vis a vis Hong Kong. Given the state of global power balance now, there is not a chance in hell that any of the West will do anything (except maybe words) to support the Hong Kong.
- johnzim 5y agoThe U.S. did nothing in the arrangement because their position wrt the CCP was one of engagement to balance against the USSR. It was the UK, which caved because, as revealed in now-declassified democratic cables from 1958, Zhou Enlai flatly stated that the PLA would invade if HK was given independence. The UK quite simply could not defend HK. It had failed to defend it in WWII against Japan (it couldn't even defend Singapore) and would have no hope against the CCP, even without the Harbour Tunnel to the Kowloon Peninsula, which had already been operating for some time. Instead it opted for an agreement in the joint declaration and a hope that the CCP would lean more towards international norms as the Shanghai cadre assumed more control. Objectively a poor solution but, I have to say, probably the most rational. Of course, we all know what happened. Deng's best laid plans came to naught and another 'great leader' emerged.
- asdff 5y agoIn 1984 China was part of the warsaw pact and well allied. Who will stand up to chinas defence in the face of an american coalition today? Russia would honestly probably join the american coaliton.
- hihihihi1234 5y agoChina was never a member of the Warsaw Pact.