し
-26 February 1992
P West Esq
Sec (AS)
Rm 8245
Ministry of Defence
Dear Phil
RESTRICTED
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
12)
London SWIA 2AH
Telephone: 071- 270 3144
HONG KONG DIVERSION AIRFIELD
1.
3B
Please refer to your letter of 16 January asking for FCO comments on the possible use of Canton as the diversion airfield from Hong Kong.
2.
Based on the advice from posts we do not have any objection in principle to approaching the Chinese over the possible use of
However as Hong Canton as a diversion airfield for Hong Kong.
Kong's telno 465 sets out, there are a number of issues which need to be addressed. The main question being the Chinese reaction to the possibility of an aircraft landing in Canton full of British soldiers in uniform and with their weapons. Although the selective use of Canton, retaining Manila as the reserve airfield in special circumstances, may be a possibility; wish to discuss these issues in more detail with
you may
HQBF Hong Kong before approaching the DA in Peking.
K Bourne (Miss)
Non-Proliferation and Defence Dept
KB1ACW
RESTRICTED
NOP
8=3/5.