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HONG KONG STUDY
ANNEX J
DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY
Present Situation
1.
HMG have responsibility for the defence and internal
security of Hong Kong. The Governor, while nominally
Commander-in-Chief, is advised by the Commander British Forces
(CBF) who is responsible to the Chief of Defence Staff, but
who also sits on the Hong Kong Executive Council. The CBF
exercises full operational command over all British Forces
in the area in event of an emergency.
IT
2.
The Garrison totals over 8,000 men (20% UK, 60% Gurkha
and 20% Hong Kong Chinese). At present there are 5 Infantry
Battalions (4 Gurkha, 1 British), a Gurkha Engineer Regiment,
5 Naval patrol craft, two squadrons of helicopters and
appropriate support from all three Services. In addition,
the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) and the Royal
Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force come under CBF's command when
called out. There is provision for short-term reinforcement
from both UK and Brunei.
The current Defence Costs Agreement between the Ministry
of Defence and the Hong Kong Government came into effect on
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