TNAG-0617-FCO40-765-Strength-and-cost-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 92

CONFIDENTIAL

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BACKGROUND NOTE

1. It is a reasonable guess that Mr Hooley intends to address

his supplementary question to the subject of Hong Kong, since he

is a persistent questioner on this subject. (Attached are copies

of his three most recent questions to the Defence Secretary on Hong

Kong). He has also tabled an addition to an Early Day Motion on the

"Democratic and Social Advance of Hong Kong" (tabled on 16 December

1976 and signed by 135 MPs) which reads, "and considers that there

is no case whatsoever for maintaining a British military garrison in this Chinese city at an annual cost of £40m". Any question will

therefore almost certainly be critical of our continuing military

presence and may seek to suggest means by which we could effect an

early military withdrawal by agreement with the Chinese Government;

or else he may wish to repeat his view that in the face of an

attack from China the garrison will have only the option "to commit

suicide or to surrender", (Hansard 13 January 1976, Col. 197).

Hong Kong & China

2. At present, the indications are that the Chinese do not wish

to disturb the status quo over Hong Kong; they display an empirical

attitude and have been notably co-operative in recent years.

Contacts with the Government of Hong Kong are regular, and are

relaxed and easy. Chinese Communist Party representatives in Hong

Kong regulate the activities of the local Communist organisations

so as not to disturb the internal stability necessary for economic

growth and thus help to maintain the financial and commercial

advantages which China derives from Hong Kong. Although the lease

on the New Territories (one of the three areas of which the colony

consists) is due to expire in 1997 and will necessitate negotiations

at some stage, there is certainly no evidence that the Chinese wish,

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CONFIDENTIAT

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