TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 47

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ANNEX 1. TO COS 23/68

FUTURE DEFENCE POLICY

THE HONG KONG GARRISON

1.

INTRODUCTION

In accordance with HM Government policy (1) there is at present no question of reducing the strength or effectiveness of the Hong Kong garrison after the withdrawal of United

Before the with- Kingdom forces from Malaysia and Singapore. drawal occurs, the garrison will 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).

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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 considered in due course by the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee. Accordingly, there is a requirement for a complementary military study (4) to be made on the long term policy for the Hong Kong garrison.

3. This report examines the impact on 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 to reinforce the Colony.

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THE THREAT

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. summary the report states that:

ao

China could seize Hong Kong militarily at

any time and we might have no effective warning. Present indications are that she does not

Notes:

intend to do so in the near future.

CMND 3515.

In

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2.

COSSE. 28.

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

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4.

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

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JIC (68) 15 (Final) dated 12th January 1968.

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