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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
(f) Piracy is probable at all times and is likely
to increase if the situation developed as in (a) cbovo.
(a) Sporadic guorilla attacks as a result of
internal unrest or civil war in South China are most improbable. In the event of civil war, however, strong military and police patrol of the frontier would be necessary to prevent the influx of armed deserters.
Policy for Defence of Hong; Kong
4. We do not ensiler that under modern conlitions Hong Kong could be defunded against attack by a major power in occupation or the Chinese mainland. We should not, therefore, lock up in Hong Kong against such attack, forces or defences which will either not bɩ required or else overrun and lost.
5. Circunstancos might, howover, arise in which we should require to use Hong Kong, ns an operational naval and air basc in the event of war in the Pacific, in which China was in friendly hands. In that event mobile defences against attack from a distance by sun or cir could be moved into Hong Kong or inst:.lled at short notice, in the same way as would be done for any advanced basc from which it was decided to opornic, plans and preparations being made to enable the necessary terences to introlucc? at short notice.
6. The Defence Coldttee have agreed that our future policy for Hong Kong shoul: bo to rogar it as an undefende port BO for ds rixo defences are concurnol.
Short torm Policy
7. We consilor th t, to ensure internal security, as a protection against piracy, ml as n leterrent to an attempt at incursion by Chinese quorillas, Bom forces will be requirca at Hong Kong for a consilerable time.
The isposition of forces for garrison luties in S.E. Asia must be governe by the total forces available for the overall area. In view of the small size of the forces available in S.3. Asia, it is essential to keep permanent garrisons in outlying stations such as Hong Kong to the minimum relying on reinforcements from elsewhere within the threatre when necessary.
Requirements for Defence of Hong Kong
8. On the basis of the policy act cut in the previous
paragraphs, we have examined at Aunex II C.-in-C. Hong Kong's details recommendations. Our conclusions are:-
() The British Pacific Fleet basel on Hong Kong
should after? sufficient local protection,
in particular for the suppression of piracy
nother nets of violence. Certain allitional ships coul! with advantage be place in reserve at Hong Kong, which would be available for service shoul this bo calle for.
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+ D.O. (46) 7th Mooting.
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