At that time, Geng Biao, vice chairman of the National People's Congress, fell into the trap set in advance by Hong Kong media due to a temporary negligence. This was the "Hong Kong garrison incident" that shocked China and the world.

In mid-May 1984, negotiations on China-UK-Hong Kong issues had entered a "white-hot" stage. At that time, Geng Biao, vice chairman of the National People's Congress, fell into the trap set in advance by Hong Kong media due to a temporary negligence. This was the "Hong Kong garrison incident" that shocked China and the world. Deng Xiaoping was furious after learning about this: "Hong Kong does not need a garrison, this is nonsense."

After the first battle of , the British Empire, which once claimed to have " will not fall on " began to decline rapidly; after , the strength of Britain was severely frustrated after , and the international influence also plummeted; by around the 1980s, as the colonial system continued to collapse, Britain's overseas colonies were independent one after another, forcing Britain to accept the reality of a declining day and west.

But this old empire that once ruled Europe for thousands of years did not intend to accept the reality of people reaching their twilight years. In order to continue to show off overseas power, the British Prime Minister Mrs. Thatcher , who has always been known for his toughness, launched the "Famous Island Battle" to Argentina in April 1982. After winning, she took the remnant of the war and officially started her visit to China five months later.

On September 22, 1982, Mrs. Thatcher took a special plane to Capital Airport with confidence that she was determined to win. Two days later, Deng Xiaoping met with this British female politician known as " Iron Lady " at the Fujian Department, which also opened the prelude to the negotiations on China-UK-Hong Kong issues.

But what the arrogant Mrs. Thatcher unexpectedly was that this meeting became a major reversal in her political career. When Mrs. Thatcher wanted to use Hong Kong's prosperity as a threat and continue to occupy Hong Kong, Deng Xiaoping told her without hesitation: "We not only have the courage to face disasters, but also the determination to regain Hong Kong's sovereignty."

The "Iron Lady" who was hitting walls everywhere and repeatedly defeated him was eventually defeated by the "Iron and Steel Company". When she walked out of Great Hall of the People with a serious expression, a dramatic scene appeared. Mrs. Thatcher actually staggered and fell down. At that time, many media reported and over-interpreted the accident, believing that she was "intimidated".

In fact, in the next few rounds of Sino-British negotiations, the British representatives were very tough at the instruction of Mrs. Thatcher, and even threatened to use force to solve the Hong Kong issue. However, Deng Xiaoping also responded tit-for-tat: "We oppose war, but in resolutely do not give up the use of force in resolving the Hong Kong issue."

In the negotiations, the British side has always been unwilling to give up the "privileges" enjoyed in Hong Kong, which has led to the deadlock in negotiations many times. During this period, in order to win the support of international forces, the UK did not hesitate to incite the media to distort the facts and create public opinion, hoping to win the "public opinion war" while maximizing the interests of the British side during the negotiations.

Among them, there is a focus of the international community: "Will China garrison troops in Hong Kong?" As early as April 1984, during the visit of British Foreign Secretary , he discussed with Deng Xiaoping about the issue of the People's Liberation Army stationed in Hong Kong. However, Deng Xiaoping said firmly: "This issue cannot be negotiated and there is no need to negotiate. The garrison issue will not be given up."

On May 15, 1984, many Hong Kong media reporters with ulterior motives took advantage of the second session of the 6th National People's Congress to capture some news related to Hong Kong's return to and the garrison. At that time, there were many female journalists from Hong Kong who often asked questions that were both tricky and misunderstood, and even dug traps in advance.

At that time, Vice Chairman Geng Biao, who was already 75 years old, fell into the trap set in advance by Hong Kong reporters because of a temporary negligence. On the same day, as soon as Geng Biao walked out of the venue after the meeting, a group of Hong Kong reporters surrounded him. Under their siege, Geng Biao calmly answered their questions one by one.

Just as the interview was about to end, a Hong Kong reporter suddenly asked a question: "Will the central government garrison troops in Hong Kong?" Faced with this sudden and sensitive question, Geng Biao, who was physically and mentally exhausted, did not realize that there was a secret behind this question, so he said casually: "It is not necessarily a garrison."

Little did he know that it was because of this vague answer to reporters' questions that was over-interpreted by some bad-minded Hong Kong media, and eventually became the headline report the next day: "A senior Chinese government official said that Hong Kong does not need to garrison troops." Such reports immediately triggered panic in Hong Kong society. When these reports were sent to Deng Xiaoping's desk, the long-standing old revolutionary slapped the table and was furious.

In order to minimize the impact of this matter, another press conference was held under Deng Xiaoping's instructions. He said in front of all the reporters at the scene: "Geng Biao's remarks about Hong Kong are immeasurable. He is just talking nonsense and cannot represent the position of the Chinese government." After this "storm", Geng Biao also realized his mistake and later made a profound review.