SECRET 高度機密
16.
ROLE AND CAPABILITIES OF THE BRITISH FORCES
The role of the British Forces in Hong Kong is to help demonstrate HMG's intentions to maintain the status quo in Hong Kong and fulfil her obligations by:
b.
C.
Being ready and by being seen to be ready to aid the Civil Government and Police in maintaining law and order, thus deterring any serious challenge to it, being able to master any if made in the shortest possible time and with the minimum of bloodshed.
Discouraging erosion of the Hong Kong Government's authority along the land border and in the coastal areas, eg through minor armed incursions or large scale illegal immigration.
In the unlikely event of a deliberate attack by the Chinese Peoples' Liberation Army, identifying the aggression and offering such resistance as is practicable.
17. Royal Navy. The frigate guardship provides the main element of the Naval presence and the only effective counter to CPN gunboats which frequently enter the extensive Colony waters. The patrol craft complement the operations of the Marine Police, have better sea-keeping capabilities and better armament than the police craft and are more suitable for inshore work than the frigate.
18. Army. The current garrison contains six major units and two sub-units which are capable of acting as infantry in the IS role. One of the major units is committed to the close support of the Police in the border area at all times. The Hong Kong internal security deployment plan is related to the main centres of population and is designed to provide immediate Army support to the Police in these areas and in proportion to the population density. One battalion is allocated to Hong Kong, which contains the seat of Government, two battalions to Kowloon, which has a population of over two million, one battalion to the New Territories and the satellite town of Tsuen Wan, and the two sub-units to Kai Tak for protection of the airport and in support of the Police in that area and in Kwun Tong. the sixth major unit acts as Colony reserve. The Working Party agreed that they should continue to use the figure of
Currently,
7
G.F. 316
SECRET 高度機密