itary intervention.
LOCSEN
SECRET
UK EYES A
The very presence of British Military
forces in Hong Kong is viewed as a potential stabilising factor symbolic of HMG's political commitment to, and sovereignty over, Hong Kong until 30 Jun 97; it would also act as a possible deterrent
to the PRCG taking pre-emptive action with the PLA. It therefore follows that HMG would wish to preserve a credible military force,
symbolic of sovereignty, until the SAR Government assumes
responsibility.
34. HMG is conscious of the concern in Hong Kong that the size
of the British military presence in the Territory in the last
years of British rule may lead the PRCG to set at the same level
the strength of the initial PLA garrison within the SAR. HMG is
also aware of the resultant concern in Hong Kong that the strength of the British Garrison in the last years should be minimised.
However, the reaction time associated with reinforcement from
outside the theatre dictates that a British Military presence
must be based in Hong Kong until 1997. It is therefore HMG's intention that a garrison of appropriate strength and composition
4 (to fulfil the roles described in paragraph) will remain
based in Hong Kong until 30 Jun 97. In military terms there is no valid parallel between the size of the British garrison before 1997 and that of a PLA garrison presence post 1997 because Chinese military reinforcement for Hong Kong's Police
could be deployed to the SAR from China in a matter of hours.
THE HKG POLICE EXPANSION PLAN
35. The Joint Declaration dictates that responsibility for maintenance of law and order in Hong Kong after 30 Jun 97 will
rest with the SARG. After that date, the Police and auxiliary forces will not be able to rely on the support of the British
military garrison; however, the SARG will wish to avoid the intervention of any PLA force in support of local security
forces. Several options for the replacement of the British military garrison have therefore been considered by the HKG,
including the raising of a local military force based on the
Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) and Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) (RHKR (V)). It was concluded partly
14
UK EYES A
SECRET
DVD
X