SECRET
plans would help us to deliver in the latter part of the transition period the sort of savings the Legislative Council and the community are expecting.
XCX(93)29
Chinese reaction
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We are committed to keeping the Chinese informed, through the JLG, of our planning for the withdrawal of the Garrison. But we are not bound to seek their concurrence. The new proposals are in line with the requests made by the Chinese side in 1987 (paragraph 11). The Chinese may nevertheless raise objections, since the new proposals involve earlier withdrawal of the penultimate battalion than was envisaged when we last briefed them (paragraph 12). We would need to present the plans carefully, emphasising that they are consistent with maintaining Hong Kong's security and stability. We could also make the point that in present international circumstances, they increase the army's flexibility in dealing with other commitments, for example in the former Republic of Yugoslavia.
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We also propose
subject to Ministers' views to take this opportunity to suggest to the Chinese side that the time is now ripe to establish contacts between British and Chinese military authorities to discuss the practical details of the transfer of defence responsibilities. The Chinese will welcome this.
Public reaction
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Previous plans for the withdrawal of the Garrison in the late part of the transition period have not been made public. However, it will be necessary to announce the new plans since detailed work on implementation will need to start soon. Most people in Hong Kong will accept the plans as an inevitable part of the process leading up to the 1997 changeover. The cost savings associated with the withdrawal plan should be welcomed by the community and by the Legislative Council although there may be those in the Legislative Council who will be impatient to see those savings emerge more quickly. Others may question HMG's commitment to Hong Kong. A few may express concern at the removal of capability to support the Police.
Executive Council