TNAG-1173-FCO40-1465-Future-of-Hong-Kong-special-study-by-FCO-for-the-Prime-Minis-1982 — Page 203

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Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region (SAR)

9.

If Hong Kong became formally a Special Administrative

Region of the PRC the continued presence of a British garrison

would probably be even more difficult, and perhaps impossible

to negotiate. Provided that ultimate British control remained,

one possible way of meeting Chinese objections would be to

establish a local force, responsible to the Hong Kong

Government rather than military authorities in the UK, with

its own uniform, insignia etc. Even with a significant

expatriate element, such a force would be much less satisfactory,

both on military grounds and politically.

The expatriate

element might be provided by specially recruited Gurkhas

although this would have to be undertaken outside the 1947

Tripartite Agreement and could damage the continued operation

of that agreement.

10.

Whether a British garrison was retained or a local

force was established, HMG would need to keep ultimate

responsibility for the security of Hong Kong, including the

right to deploy forces there if necessary.

THE POLICE

Present Situation

11. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force (RHKPF) is made up

of some 22,500 officers and 4,800 civilians. Some 4%,

including the Commissioner and a high proportion of the senior

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/officers