TNAG-1938-FCO40-2764-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 64

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4. THE SECOND REASON REMAINS VALID IN TERMS OF THE POLICING OF HONG KONG WATERS. THE OPERATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RN IN TERMS OF ANTI-II AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG WATERS IS ALREADY MINOR AND WILL BE FURTHER REDUCED. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE REQUIREMENT TO DEMONSTRATE SOVEREIGNTY.

ROLE

5. THE FOREGOING EMPHASISES THE ROYAL NAVY'S MAJOR ROLE WHICH, LIKE THE REST OF THE GARRISON, WILL REMAIN, TO DEMONSTRATE SOVEREIGNTY AND, WHEN REQUIRED, TO ACT IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. WITH THE RECENT AND ANTICIPATED ENHANCEMENTS TO MARINE POLICE CAPABILITIES THERE WILL BE LESS NEED TO CALL ON ROYAL NAVY SUPPORT

· FOR ASSISTANCE TO ROUTINE MARINE POLICE OPERATIONS AND IN SEARCH AND RESCUE (S AND R) OPERATIONS BEYOND 1992. IN ORDER OF PRIORITY THE ROLE OF THE ROYAL NAVY WILL BE:

A. SOVEREIGNTY.

THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE RN TO MAINTAIN

SOVEREIGNTY OF HONG KONG WATERS. IT MUST BE CAPABLE OF DEPLOYING AN EFFECTIVE AND CREDIBLE RESPONSE TO INCURSIONS OR THREAT OF INCURSIONS OF CHINESE PATROL VESSELS.

B.

ASSISTANCE TO MARINE POLICE.

IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE CAPABILITY TO ASSIST IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND SMUGGLING IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE IS MAINTAINED. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE ABILITY TO DEPLOY SMALL FAST BOATS FOR INTERCEPTION, BOARDING AND INSHORE WORK.

C. SEARCH AND RESCUE.

THE ROYAL NAVY VESSELS WHICH REMAIN IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE S AND R ORGANISATION.

CAPABILITY

6. THE PRINCIPAL REQUIREMENT IS THAT THE VESSELS THAT REMAIN ARE AN EFFECTIVE DEMONSTRATION OF SOVEREIGNTY. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ARE THAT THEY SHOULD BE OF A SIZE AT LEAST EQUIVALENT TO THE CHINESE PATROL VESSELS MOST COMMONLY SEEN OFF HONG KONG WATERS - IE ABOUT 120 FT IN LENGTH, THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE A TURN OF SPEED SUFFICIENT TO REACT TO INCIDENTS RAPIDLY - IE OVER 20 KNOTS, AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE SEEN TO BE ADEQUATELY ARMED - IE WITH AT LEAST 40MM GUNS. IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN ANTI-II AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS THE

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