TNAG-1936-FCO40-2762-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 6

5

W

27.

As for the rumour that the British side intend to convert the H.M.S. Tamar into the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong or the Police Headquarters, sources from the Chinese side said they had not received such proposals from the British side.

28.

Nevertheless, the Chinese side are apparently reluctant to leave the Prince of Wales building to the hands of the British after 1997 since it was once the

former military base of the British colony. It will, therefore, take some time before the future of the building would become clear.

29.

Apart. from military camps, the two sides also exchanged views on the demolition of the British Military Hospital (BMI).

30.

Of the existing 200 beds of the BMH, only less than half are utilised. This, together with the immense cost of maintenance, has long been the target of public criticism. The Hong Kong Government has reached an agreement internally that the BMH should be demolished but only after a new hospital is in place.

31.

"What remains to be resolved at present is to identify a suitable site for the new military hospital. It is expected that the new hospital will be smaller scale. As the facility will in future be over to the Chinese side, we need to consult sources from the British side said.

of a handed them, "

Can The Two Sides Iron Out The Differences ?

32.

Mainland Chinese officials have clearly stated that the number of PLA personnel to be stationed in Hong Kong in future would be between 3000 and 5000. This implies that the existing military facilities used by the 10,000 British garrison including medical facilities could be substantially reduced.

33.

"Though this hospital will be of a relatively small scale, the Chinese side need to be consulted on its location and its medical equipment, the sources from the British side added.

11

34.

Another area of consultation between the two sides is the movement of PLA personnel outside their camps. As the general public in Hong Kong have a kind of "green colour phobia" (sic) [a reference to PLA uniforms] towards the FLA garrison, the British side had raised this point with the Chinese side for their consideration.