CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 316

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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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 copyright

00263

HONG KONG DEVENCE PLAN.

TOE SECRET.

REGHION IL

ACTES INVOLVE AND FORCES AVAILABLE.

It is considered that no nation except CHINA is likely to undertake agroasive measures against HONG KONG. The U.S. S. R. and

U.S... may be expected to gim CHINA a measure of support in any rely dipicntio move to renovo the Colony.

2.

Px Fighting forces a2: HEMA'S disposal are estimated to

bo riefly as sllowa;-

(a)

NAVY.

The Chinese Navy is . 2 present a fighting force but is being built up by the acquisition of Japanese and other foreign arships. It considered there is no immediate

danger of nav:) attack and any attack by sea would be limited to raids, piracy and nut to interdict small ship trade.

(1) Akify.

3.

soal

a workin; besis it been agreed that the maximum of attack should be on as 75,000 fighting troops. The most efficient troops in the present day Chinese armies are those trained and equip by the ricans. CHDIA would have no dif'iculty rusting 75,000 of these better class troop in the field. Altough well equipped with infantry weapons; fic?i and medium artillery is not of a high standard, there are at present no armoured formations and air support has not been developed.

(0) AIR FORCE.

It is estimated that at present CHINA has available 400 first line aircraft to which total are being added Japanese

Sovere and American planes in unknown quantities. limitations are imposed on their operational use by poor servicing, insufficiency of trained air crews and lack of petrol. It is conside: od that under these conditions air support for military operations could not be sustained but would be limited to sporadic raids. The danger of mining by aircraft is considered small.

The declared policy the Central Government is to recover

HONG KONG by diplomatic moans. This policy has been maintained since JAPAN's surrender. It is considered the principal threat to the Colony, A propaganda campaign to recover the Colony for CHINA has already been experienced in a mild form. It is considered that this campaign will be maintained and intensified by the Central Government as a natural prelude and adjunct to their campaign outside the Colony to redress the so-called "unequal treaty".

سا

1

Ref.:

CO 537/1260

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

1

2

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafiel 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 copyright