ビビビ
GUVERNMENT HUUSE
HUNG KUNG
رة
791
6-14 14:18 ·
CONFIDENTIAL
Withdrawal of the Vessels Political aspects
機密
PHGE 03
7.
If it were decided to withdraw the patrol craft, it would not be necesary to proceed with the development of the proposed RN base on Stonecutters Island. Capital cost savings would be in the order of $400m in current prices. The Chinese would be unlikely to welcome such a development which they might interpret both as affecting our future discussions on the defence estate and as an attempt to constrain their options in respect of the deployment of the PLA Navy.
Hong Kong
8.
Withdrawal of the patrol craft will be interpreted as a weakening of British commitment to the territory. Legislators and the public will question why the vessels are being withdrawn prematurely when they have recently played an important role with the Police in acting against, and deterring, smuggling to China. An explanation that the UK can no longer afford to meet its share of the operating cost of the vessels is likely to be greeted with disbelief. Withdrawal will raise the wider issue of the UK's commitment to Hong Kong, and the rationale for the respective share of costs between HMG and the HKG.
Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1).
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