SECRET
UK EYES A
ANNEX B
THE RUNDOWN OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON TO 1997
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.
2.
-
The purpose of this note is to define the broad policy framework against which the 1993 Review should be conducted prior to detailed staffing.
THE ROLE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE GARRISON
3.
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. This reflects the 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. The 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 provide support to the Anti-smuggling Task Force. The naval 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.
4.
Ultimately, leaving aside its symbolic value in demonstrating UK sovereignty, the Garrison provides recourse to a reliable British (as opposed to Hong Kong Government) controlled internal security capability for use in the last resort, if necessary with reinforcement, in the event of a major breakdown in law and order. It is primarily this requirement and the need to have sufficient forces on the ground to facilitate reinforcement that will drive
2 of 6
UK EYES A SECRET
COSSEC/S/2.004