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ANNEX A to DP 9/68(C)
Preliminary Draft
FUTURE DEFENCE POLICY
THE HONG KONG GARRISON
INTRODUCTION
1. In accordance with HM Government policy (1) a garrison is to
be maintained in Hong Kong after the withdrawal of United Kingdom
forces from Malaysia and Singapore. The garrison is to cease to
be subordinate to Far East Command and is to become an independent
command responsible direct to the Ministry of Defence by the 1st
April 1970 (2).
2.
The Commonwealth Office, in conjunction with the Foreign
Office and the Ministry of Defence, is producing a study (3) on
the long term policy for Hong Kong which is required 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 composition and minimum size of
the Hong Kong Garrison as an independent command.
THE THREAT
4.
The Joint Intelligence Committee has assessed (5) the threat
to Hong Kong. In summary the report concludes that:
a. China could sieze Hong Kong militarily at any time and
we might have no effective warning, but on present indications
Notes:
she does not intend to do so in the near future.
b. In the event of a decision to take over Hong Kong, China
1. CMND 3515
COSSEA 28
2.
3.
cos 1133/23/2/68 Serial 157(2)
4. COS 1133/23/2/68 Serial 157(1)
5.
JIC (68) 15 Final dated 12 January 1968
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