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Reference..
2994
EXTRACT FROM C.O.S. (55 MEETING HELD ON 1.7.67.
ITEM 2 C.
OF
CONFIDENTIAL
ANNEX
Hong Kong
AIR MARSHAL MAGUIRE said that the Defence Intelligence Staff had recently been concentrating not on the day-to-day events in Hong Kong but had tried to deduce the attitude of the Peking Government. His Area Officer for the Far East had just returned from a visit to Hong Kong during which he had discussed the situation with the Commander British Forces. From the report which he had brought back, it was clear that a now and more dangerous situation was emerging. Peking appeared to be losing control of several areas in China. While the situation in the Kwangtung province, adjacent to Hong Kong, was not known for certain, it was apparent that the local Chinese felt that if they took vigorous action against Hong Kong the Poking Government would support them. A situation therefore existed in which rapid erosion could take place unless the Government of the Colony took a much harder line against the Communist trouble- makers than at present. The goodwill of those Chinese who backed the Hong Kong Government and the resilience of the police were not inexhaustable and it was the Defence
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Intelligence Staff view, which might however not be shared by Political Departments, that if firmer action were not taken the situation could deteriorato sufficiently for military action to be necessary.
In discussion, the following points were made:
d. One roquest which might soon be made by the Commander British Forces was for the crews to man the tanks stockpiled in Hong Kong. The Army Department were taking the necessary preparatory action to meet such a request.
e.
The Commander-in-Chief, Far East, was due to visit Hong Kong on 17th July 1967. While there appeared to be no urgent need to ask him to advance this visit,
it would be of advantage if they were to send him a signal advising him of the Defence Intelligence Staff assess- ment which they had been given and asking him to report on the situation as he found it in Hong Kong and on the consultations which he would be having during his visit. The Committee:
(3)
Took note.
(4) Instructed the Secretary to signal the Commander- Xin-Chief, Far East, as agreed during their discussion.
x Later decided not tsigual.
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