ZA
SECRET UK EYES A
LOCSEN
18. In addition to the above, 2 issues were developed during 1988, which have assumed importance as planning
factors:
a.
In
Revised Roles and Tasks and Revised Directive. acknowledgement of Hong Kong's changed situation since the signing of the Joint Declaration in 1984, MOD proposed changes to the role and tasks of the garrison; these were agreed by Min (AF) in March 1988 (7). In
essence these involved a change from conventional
limited War (LW) to resist Chinese aggression, to a more realistic future role of being prepared to respond as appropriate to any incursion or infringement of Hong
Kong's territorial integrity. The Garrison's tasks were
formally identified as being to assist the HKG to maintain stability and security and to sustain confidence in British sovereignty in the Territory
until 30 June 1997. These roles and tasks were
incorporated in the revised CDS Directive to CBF Hong Kong (8) and are reproduced at Annex C.
b. Revised Concept of Operations. In the light of these revised roles and tasks, CBF Hong Kong has developed a new Concept of Operations, which provides for the simultaneous demonstration of sovereignty and
execution of IS tasks. The essence of the Concept is
the provision of mobile reserves. While the Garrison
consists of 4 battalions, one will be on anti-II duties
on the Border at all times, two battalions will be
earmarked primarily for IS duties, and the fourth battalion will be employed as the mobile reserve to be
Notes:
CDS 2051/1 dated 18 March 1988.
CDS 44/88 - CDS Directive to Commander British Forces Hong Kong dated 2 December 1988.
1. 8.
COS53.4-15
11 LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET