CONFIDENTIAL
3. It would clearly be impossible for the Hong Kong
Government to accede to the demands of local pro-communists
without a complete abdication of authority, which would put
them in the same position as the Portuguese authorities in
Macao, As it becomes clear that the demands are not being
met, there may well be further and more widespread outbreaks
of violence which could not be repressed without bloodshed.
If this does occur there will be a grave risk that the
Chinese authorities would react by bringing other pressures
to bear.
4.
Hong Kong has an efficient police force and there are
over 7,000 fighting troops, British and Gurkhas, who could
be used for the maintenance of law and order if necessary.
Depending on the attitude of the local communists and the
Chinese Government it might be possible by sidestepping
Chinese demands and by firm but unprovocative action to ride
out the crisis without any major change in the status quo.
Nevertheless, there remains a grave danger that the Chinese
Government and the local pro-communists will force the
Hong Kong Government to a full-scale confrontation.
CONFIDENTIAL