TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 164

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ANNEX A to DP 9/68(C)

(Draft)

FUTURE DEFENCE POLICY

THE HONG KONG GARRISON

INTRODUCTION

1. In accordance with HM Government policy (1) there is no question of reducing the strength or effectiveness of the Hong Kong garrison after the withdrawal of United Kingdom forces from Malaysia and Singapore. The garrison is to cease to be subord- inate to Far East Command and is to become an independent command responsible direct to the Ministry of Defence by the 1st April 1970 (2).

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The Commonwealth Office, in conjunction with the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence, is producing a study (3)

on HM Government's long term policy towards Hong Kong which is to be available for the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee by the

middle of March 1968. Accordingly, there is a requirement for a complementary military study (4) to be made on the long term

policy for the Hong Kong garrison.

AIM

3. To examine the impact upon the Hong Kong garrison of the withdrawal of United Kingdom forces from Malaysia and Singapore with particular reference to the minimum size and composition of the garrison after the Commander-in-Chief Far East no longer has the capability for reinforcement.

THE THREAT

4. The Joint Intelligence Committee has assessed (5) the threat to Hong Kong over the next five years, as far as circumstances in China permit any realistic assessment. In summary the report

states that:

a. China could seize Hong Kong militarily at any time and

we might have no effective warning, but on present indications

Notes:

1. CMND 3515

2.

COSSTA 28

3.

COS 1133/23/2/68 Serial 157(2)

4。

COS 1133/23/2/68 Serial 157(1)

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JIC (68) 15 Final dated 12 January 1968

A 1

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