What if China invaded and reclaimed Hong Kong by force in the early 1980s?

Malone

Similar to Argentina's invasion of the Falklands, what if an increasingly nationalistic China decided to forcefully capture Hong Kong instead of waiting for the lease to expire at the end of the century?

At that time, China was not as economically or militarily powerful as it is today. However, its sheer population size would have made it a formidable force. How would the UK have responded?
 

David Floyd

I actually think they might just get away with it. Sure, the West could economically cripple China at the time, but then again the US counted on China as a counterweight to the Soviet Union.
 

GSD310

I think you would first need for China to not be led by Deng. I think other than Vietnam in 1979, he was determined that China should focus on economic reform and development.
 

vetinari

Maggie would not allow it. Hong Kong like the Falklands were British and until the lease runs out would be defended as British with all of Britain's might.
 
Pangur

Pangur

Donor
vetinari said:
Maggie would not allow it. Hong Kong like the Falklands were British and until the lease runs out would be defended as British with all of Britain's might.
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Argentina trying to hold on to the Falklands n China holding on to HK are very different matters, exhibit A look at a map. The UK on its own would not be able to take HK back
 
thevird

thevird

Me when Article 5: (If China did it it would be absolute suicide for the CCP. As much as a "counterweight" they are, it would bring about either a serious war in Asia, probably the restoration of Taiwan's guarantees and position in the UN, and riots and full-on revolts when the economic collapse begins. China in the 1980s isn't our China, they don't have the leverage.)
 
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vetinari

Pangur said:
Argentina trying to hold on to the Falklands n China holding on to HK are very different matters, exhibit A look at a map. The UK on its own would not be able to take HK back
Click to expand...
That was what was said about the Falklands as well. The UK took it back. The UK would take back Hong Kong. It might take a little more time but they would succeed. They would call in favours from around their allies and they would succeed. Maggie would not rest until Hong Kong was restored to the UK.
 

Thon Taddeo

thevird said:
Me when Article 5: (If China did it it would be absolute suicide for the CCP. As much as a "counterweight" they are, it would bring about either a serious war in Asia, probably the restoration of Taiwan's guarantees and position in the UN, and riots and full-on revolts when the economic collapse begins. China in the 1980s isn't our China, they don't have the leverage.)
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Hong Kong isn't in Europe or North America so Article 5 is irrelevant. Also, the Article does not actually oblige NATO to militarily intervene, only take "such action as it deems necessary" which might might include military support.
 

quickdraw101

vetinari said:
That was what was said about the Falklands as well. The UK took it back. The UK would take back Hong Kong. It might take a little more time but they would succeed. They would call in favours from around their allies and they would succeed. Maggie would not rest until Hong Kong was restored to the UK.
Click to expand...
No they would not take it back. Not only is Hong Kong much further away, China is far stronger, is connected by land to HK, and beat any British reinforcements that try sailing into Chinese waters.
 
thevird

thevird

Thon Taddeo said:
Hong Kong isn't in Europe or North America so Article 5 is irrelevant. Also, the Article does not actually oblige NATO to militarily intervene, only take "such action as it deems necessary" which might might include military support.
Click to expand...
Damn, forgot about that lol. Too busy dealing with researching Truman Doctrine is hurting my brain.
 

Citycat

The UK might threaten China with a nuclear attack. The USSR and USA might intervene and escalate matters further. The shit could get real.
 
Pangur

Pangur

Donor
Citycat said:
They would be hoping to get China to back down. The UK doesn't have any other options, HK is too far away and difficult to defend against China.
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The loss of HK would not be a direct threat to the existence of the which is what is generally seen as the trigger for nukes to be used
 

Citycat

Pangur said:
The loss of HK would not be a direct threat to the existence of the which is what is generally seen as the trigger for nukes to be used
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One nuclear state is attacking another nuclear state. It is going to be a dangerous scenario. Maybe there could be a negotiated settlement, but I doubt the UK will sit back and do nothing. The nuclear card will be an option.
 

Sekhmet_D

vetinari said:
Maggie would not allow it. Hong Kong like the Falklands were British and until the lease runs out would be defended as British with all of Britain's might.
Click to expand...
Easy when the enemy is a comparatively puny opponent like Argentina. China is another story entirely.
 
thedarkmaster

thedarkmaster

Why is China doing this ?

What is the build up?

Why is China wasting a single life on something its going to get back anyway ?

What is the UK response to this action before the " invasion" ?

All relevant and all need more explanation by the OP .
 

vetinari

quickdraw101 said:
No they would not take it back. Not only is Hong Kong much further away, China is far stronger, is connected by land to HK, and beat any British reinforcements that try sailing into Chinese waters.
Click to expand...
The Chinese are very, very, cautious after their defeat by Vietnam in 1979. Their leadership, are not willing to risk another defeat and the British have the ability to call upon the US, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore to retake Hong Kong. It may take them a year or two but they would succeed. Everybody said the same thing about the Falklands and they succeeded there. Margret Thatcher would make sure of it even if she had to borrow a US Navy Carrier to do it.
 
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