00229
›f up
rd is
at
8 s
ort
in
-in-C. 'a
onomy
Dssible forms
g regarding
tions,
ine
n bringing
ng Kong.
ries, ort
have
s break
years is
craft
lity
should one
of
1
cm
Ref.:
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
1
N
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
Please note thel this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and thal your use of it may be subject to copyright
iltration
inese
nrest and
ut in
od and other
end weight
of Hong Kong.
g Kong
no llud ing
d into
002 30
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
F
Rel
CO 537/1260
Please note that this copy is supplied subjaven in the enclosed Terms and C
restrictions. Further information
is and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh
and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.
(f) Piracy is probable at all times and is
likely to increase if the situation dovoloped as in (a) above.
In
(g) Sporadic guerilla attacks as the result
of internal unrest or civil war in South China are most improbable. the event of civil war, however, strong militery and police patrol of the frontier would be necessary to prevent the influx of armed deserters.
Scale of Defences Required.
5.
In
The strategical importance of Hong Kong lies in the fact that it many provide a forward operational navel and air base in the event of a future conflict in the Pacific. addition it is a British possession which has very great commercial value.
6. We do not consider that under modern conditions Hong Kong could be defended against attack by a major Power in occupation of the Chinese mainland. If in any future wer China rere hostile or overrun by a hostile Power we should not be able to use it as a base and preparations are not therefore necessary to defend it in this eventuality.
We think that during the period under review we should be prepared to defend Hong Kong against China alone unsupported by any other Power. The likelihood of an actual Chinese attack under these circumstances is however so remote that we do not consider it necessary to allow for this eventuality in assessing the scale of forces to be maintained in Hong Kong in peacetime. Should a Chinese
ettack later appear more likely additional temporary reinforcements should be made available and the defence plan should allow for this possibility.
7. We therefore consider that the duties of the forces stationed at Hong Kong will be:-
G
(a) To provide an armed backing to assist the
Police in maintaining internal security.
(b) To counter a potential threat of external attack on a minor scale, and to control the frontier.
(c) To uphold British prestige, and as a
aeterrent to Chinese aspirations.
-3-
า
Page 275Page 276
00230
11 times wid is
the situation
bovo.
ks as the result
civil war in improbable.
In
r, however, strong
atrol of the
essary to prevent
sorters.
1
2
Ref
CO 537/1260
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
2
restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyrigh
of Hong Kong lies in the
ed operational naval and air Iflict in the Pacific. In
on which has very great
r modern conditions
ut attack by a major Power
lend. If in any future
by a hostile Power we
base and preparatione are
I it in this eventuality.
iod under review we should geinst China alone
The likelihood of an circumstances is however
it necessary to allow for senle of forces to be ime.
Should a Chinese dditional temporary ilable end the defence ility.
he duties of the forces
ing to assist the internal security.
areat of external
, and to control
ge, and as a spirations.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.