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Military
17. 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. No Royal Air Forde aircraft are stationed in the Colony but aircraft make periodic visits to administer a measure of control over local air space. One frigate and two coastal minesweepers are maintained in the Colony on a rotational basis from Singapore. In the current year of account gross expenditure on forces in Hong Kong is £11.69 million and net expenditure after deducting the Hong Kong Government contribution and local arisings is £6.2 million; the total cost is much larger. We have in addition to maintain a reinforcement capability.
18.
In the event of strong pressure from China the internal security situation could get rapidly out of control and the effective reinforcement of the garrison in time might not be possible. In the unlikely event of an outright Chinese military invasion we could not defend Hong Kong. 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 therefore at serious risk if the Chinese decide to
take over.
19.
At a time when we are reducing our other commitments and forces east of Suez, we are precluded from making any major reduction in our forces in Hong Kong. Any significant decrease there would seriously affect confidence in the Colony by casting doubt upon our intention to maintain our position there and might also be inter- preted by China as an indication that we were preparing to leave. At some stage in the withdrawal of our forces from Singapore/ Malaysia it will become impossible to continue to provide support
/ and backing
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THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 3(4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
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