тор
SECRET
BRIEF
sls 32 has seen
OPD (67) 22: Defence Expenditure Studies
Hong Kong Aspects.
In a footnote on page 1 of the paper it is stated:
"For
present purposes we have not contemplated withdrawal from Hong Kong".
The reasons for this are as follows.
2.
In agreeing last December to an annual defence contribution
of £5 million from Hong Kong, Ministers decided that the garrison
should be reduced from 6 major units to 53 major units. At this
planned strength the garrison will already be below the minimum level
considered necessary (on a military assessment) for the maintenance
of our position in the Colony.
3. China regards Hong Kong as Chinese territory to be recovered
in due course. Meanwhile, because of the Colony's economic value,
it is prepared to accept the status quo. But if we show any sign of
abdicating our responsibilities (e.g. by withdrawing our military
forces entirely from Hong Kong) the Chinese will move very quickly
to take our place.
4. In the time-scale envisaged in this exercise we cannot see any
prospects for:-
(a) further limited withdrawal of forces from the Colony.
The Chinese attitude will not change in the years ahead.
They could at any time cause serious internal disturbances
in the Colony. The planned strength of the garrison
provides the bare minimum to meet such a threat;
Mr Cartet
/(b)