SECRET UK EYES A
LOCSEN
including the maritime border. Implicit therein are the requirements for flexibility and mobility.
d. Acceptability to People's Republic of China. HMG will in due course be obliged to inform the PRCG of the outcome of the study in terms of the type and number of ships recommended. The Chinese will expect the proposals to be realistic and properly related to the role and requirements of the Hong Kong Garrison. If the Chinese deem them not to be, it is probable that they will campaign for amendment by being obstructive in Joint Liaison Group (JLG) sessions. There will in their thinking be a connection with their own post 1997 Garrison plans.
e.
Anti-smuggling and Anti-Illegal Immigration (II) Tasks. For the purposes of the study it is to be assumed that the future RN presence need not be equipped to conduct anti- smuggling or anti-II tasks
tasks once MARPOL have declared their land-based FPC capability operational [Date TBD].
f. Financial Considerations. Funding is available for the 3 remaining "PEACOCK" Class Hong Kong Patrol Craft (PC) until Mar 92. If these or any other alternative vessel is assigned to Hong Kong after that date, it should be noted that unless other sources of funding are made available, financial provision could only be made available at the expense of other items currently funded in the Defence programme. It therefore follows that the recommended solution will be judged with close attention paid to its cost-effectiveness.
ROLE OF VESSELS.
4.
It is proposed that MOD Navy will be placed under remit to review practical options which could
options which could fill a defined role. In advance of any statement regarding the future RN presence which may be issued by the HKG following the EXCO meeting on 28 Feb 89, addressees are asked to confirm acceptance of the following "baseline" role and associated equipment parameters. These have been derived following discussions held with CBF Hong Kong during his recent visit to the UK and are offered below:
"Following assumption by MARPOL of the Garrison's Anti-II, Anti-smuggling and Fast Patrol Craft (FPC) operations by [Date TBD), the role of the Hong Kong Squadron will be primarily to demonstrate sovereignty in Hong Kong waters within the Square Boundary and secondarily to undertake patrol, surveillance, Search and Rescue (SAR) and training tasks within this area and in those international waters within which normal operations are conducted by
conducted by Hong Kong
units".
LOCSEN SECRET UK EYES A
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