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UK EYES A
REINFORCEMENT OF HONG KONG
JOINT THEATRE PLAN NO 30 (NINTH REVISE)
INTRODUCTION
Since the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong, the threat of aggression against Hong Kong by China is assessed as minimal. There remains a threat, currently assessed as low, of severe internal disorder. However, China has in the past indicated a readiness to intervene militarily if it was perceived that internal turmoil in Hong Kong could no longer be contained by the British/Hong Kong Government. The main threat to the Hong Kong Garrison is therefore from Internal Security (IS) disturbances with the possibility of concurrent tension along the Sino-Hong Kong border and possibly accompanied by an increased problem with illegal immigration. (Notes on the Hong Kong Security Forces and probable tasks for reinforcement forces are at Annex E.)
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For political reasons it has been decided that the Hong Kong Garrison will be substantially reduced during 1994 from around 8500 personnel to about 3500 personnel. Remaining Garrison force levels will only be sufficient to secure those Key Points (KPs) required to enable reinforcement to take place and to maintain the Territorial Integrity (TI) of the waters of Hong Kong. Any other operational task required of military forces will be achieved by the implementation of this JTP. In order to cater for likely contingencies, reinforcement has been divided into 3 distinct levels; advance parties required to place BFHK onto an operational footing; by an initial reinforcement of a battalion group to enable relief of police on border duties; and, finally, full reinforcement by up to a brigade should the first battalion prove insufficient to achieve CBF's mission.
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With the exception of Operational Map Packs, in-theatre stocks will be reduced in parallel with manpower reductions and the holding of war reserve stocks for reinforcements will cease. As a result, JTP 30 now includes provision for increased quantities of equipment and combat supplies to be dispatched with the reinforcing elements.
4.
Should circumstances in Hong Kong result in a withdrawal of civil labour, the deployment of specialist Service personnel may be required to maintain essential services.
JTP
- Replacement of Local Labour in Hong Kong - provides for this contingency and may be implemented fully or in part, and may also have to be implemented concurrently with JTP 30.
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UK EYES A
SECRET