SECRET UK EYES A
ATTACHMENT TO COSSEC 1054/756 DATED 27 FEB 93
THE RUNDOWN OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON TO 1997
A Note by DCDS (C)
INTRODUCTION
1.
The outline plan for the withdrawal of the Hong Kong Garrison by 30 June 1997 was approved by the Chiefs of Staff in 1987 (CDS 7/87) and has since been reviewed in 1989 and 1991. The plan is to be reviewed in detail again this year and that process is under way. However, this is having to be carried out against a background of increasing sensitivity on the part of the Hong Kong Government about the size of the Garrison and its cost- they meet 65% of the full running costs under the 1988 Defence Costs Agreement (DCA). The current delicate situation between the UK and China over Hong Kong is also a consideration.
agreem
2. The purpose of this note is to define the broad policy framework against which the 1993 Review should be conducted with the aim of seeking formal Hong Kong Government agreement prior to detailed staffing. The intention is to underpin the DCA and commit the Hong Kong Government to a withdrawal plan which is militarily sound, maximises value for money and which will be politically sustainable in Hong Kong
THE ROLE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE GARRISON
3.
This reflects the
The
The Garrison's role is to demonstrate UK sovereignty over the Territory until 1997 as a contribution to confidence and stability; and where necessary to assist the Hong Kong Government in maintaining law and order and internal security. intelligence assessment that the principal threat to the Territory's security arises from internal unrest rather than external aggression. The latest JIC assessment (JIC(92)50 dated 18 December 1992) concluded that the risk of Chinese military intervention in the event of a threatening internal security or political situation in the Territory before 1997 was low. Garrison has no formal remit to defend Hong Kong against Chinese invasion on the grounds that there is no realistic option for doing
Since the Royal Hong Kong Police assumed exclusive responsibility for countering illegal immigration on the Sino-Hong Kong border in October 1992, the land element of the Garrison, currently based around 3 infantry battalions (2 of which are Gurkha), has no major day to day operational task, although it does
The naval provide support to the Anti-smuggling Task Force. element of the Garrison can underpin the territorial integrity of Hong Kong waters through countering the aggressive tactics of Chinese patrol craft, but the majority of its tasking is in support of the Hong Kong civil authorities, mostly on anti-smuggling operations. The RAF element is a squadron of Wessex helicopters, and their activity is tied to that of the other 2 Services in Hong Kong.
so.
COSSEC/S/2.004
1 of 6 UK EYES A SECRET