TOP SECRET
COLOMIAL
OFFICE
B.
THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF OUR POSITION IN HONG KONG
1.
Military. To assist the Hong Kong Government in maintaining internal security and control of the frontier and to identify aggression in the event of an armed Chinese attack, we are obliged to maintain in Hong Kong a garrison of the order of six to seven major units. There are no Royal Air Force aircraft stationed in the Colony. Naval forces consist of two coastal mine- sweepers and a frigate. The direct annual cost of maintaining these forces in Hong Kong is about £16 million to which Hong Kong contributes £5 million. We havo in addition to maintain a reinforcement capability.
2. The affective reinforcement of the garrison might not be possible if the internal security situation got out of control as a result of pressure from. China, including possibly a mass influx from China into the Colony; nor could we reinforce it effectively in face of an outright Chinese invasion. As indicated in our Interim Report, evacuation from the Colony is likely to be a very difficult, if not impracticable, operation. Our forces in the Colony are thereafter at serious risk if the Chinese decide to take over.
3. At a time when we are reducing our other commitments and forces east of Suoz, we are precluded from making any major reduction in our forces in Hong Kong. Any significant decroase there would seriously affect confidence in the Colony by casting doubt upon our intention to maintain our position there and might also be interpreted by China as an indication that wo were preparing to loave, With the planned withdrawal of our forces from Singapore/Malaysia.in the 1970s, our garrison will be left at the end of a very long line of communications and its supply and reinforcement will become more difficult.
TOP SECRET
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARAT UNDER SECTION 3(4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
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