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ANNEX A to DP 9/68 (Final)
FUTURE DEFENCE POLICY
T
THE HONG KONG GARRISON
INTRODUCTION
1. In accordance with HM Government policy (1) there is at present no question of reducing the strength or effectiveness of the Hong Kong garrison after the withdrawal of United King- dom forces from Malaysia and Singapore. Before the withdrawal occurs, the garrison will cease to be subordinate to Far East Command and is to become an independent command responsible direct to the Ministry of Defence by the 1st April 1970 (2).
2.
The Commonwealth Office, in conjunction with the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence, is producing a study (3) on HM Government's long term policy towards Hong Kong which is to be considered in due course by the Defence and Oversea Policy
Accordingly, there is a requirement for a complemen- tary military study (4) to be made on the long term policy for the Hong Kong garrison.
Committee.
30 This report examines the impact on the Hong Kong garrison of the withdrawal of United Kingdom forces from Malaysia and Singapore, with particular reference to the minimum size and composition of the garrison after the Commander-in-Chief Far East no longer has the capability to reinforce the Colony.
THE THREAT
40 The Joint Intelligence Committee has assessed (5) the threat to Hong Kong over the cxt five years, as far as circumstances in China permit any realistic assessment. In summary the report
states that:
a.
China could seize Hong Kong militarily at any time and we might have no effective warning. Present
indications are that she does not intend to do so in
the near future.
Notes:
1
2345
2.
3.
COS 1133/23/2/68 Serial 157(2
4.
COS 1133/23/2/68 Serial 157(1)
5.
CMND 3515
COSSEA 28
JIC (68) 15 Final dated 12 Jan 68
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