A
5.
SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN
Chinese Perceptions and Intentions. The PRCG is preoccupied by dangers.
associated with instability in the transition period and would therefore wish
and expect HMG to provide a guarantee of internal security (IS) by maintaining a
significant military presence in Hong Kong up to 1997 and by using military
force to prevent serious unrest if necessary until the final handover. The
Chinese have indicated their preparedness to intervene militarily themselves if
unrest is deemed to be getting out of hand in the final years. When CDS 7/87
was issued, the plans for the PLA presence in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR) post 1997 were not known.
6.
Perceptions in Hong Kong. The HKG's objectives were that the Chinese
garrison should be as small as possible, and that it should not have a presence
in the urban areas. They considered that a high profile PLA presence would be
detrimental to levels of confidence, both of the local community and of foreign
residents. They attached great importance to ensuring that the Police would
continue to maintain public order, and be seen to be doing so, without reliance
on the garrison. Their plans for expansion of the Police Force to take over
some of the IS duties currently performed by the garrison (in particular anti-
illegal immigrant (II) work) have been accepted by the Chinese and are being
implemented. These will enable a reduction in the size of the garrison.
7. Requirements and Intentions of HMG. HMG, whilst acknowledging HKG's con-
cerns emphasised that HMG remains responsible under the provisions of the 1984
Sino/UK Joint Declaration "for the administration of Hong Kong with the object
of maintaining and preserving its economic prosperity and social stability "
until 30 Jun 1997. HMG intends to demonstrate to the PRCG that this respon-
sibility has been accepted. HMG also considered it necessary to retain military
ROW 113 (HONG)
3
SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN
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