TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 132

SECRET

Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1).

SECRET

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 1886

OF 120945Z JUNE 91

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

142702

MOHIAN 0781

HKB 063/1

85

PERSONAL FOR BURNS, AUSS FROM GOVERNOR.

PEKING: PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR.

UKREP JLG: PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 1101: RN PRESENCE AFLOAT.

1. I CONFIRM THAT I PROPOSE TO RAISE THIS ISSUE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE DURING MY FORTHCOMING VISIT TO LONDON. THE POINTS THAT I WILL WISH TO MAKE ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

(A) THE ADVICE OF THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, THE MOST SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER ON THE SPOT IN HONG KONG, IS THAT THERE IS A MILITARY REQUIREMENT FOR RETAINING THE PATROL CRAFT UNTIL 30 JUNE 1997. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT GROUNDS THE MOD HAS TO REJECT THIS ADVICE.

(B) IF THE PATROL CRAFT ARE WITHDRAWN IN 1992, WE MUST EXPECT INCREASING ENCROACHMENT BY CHINESE PATROL VESSELS INTO HONG KONG WATERS. THIS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERABLE PUBLICITY LOCALLY.

(C) TO SEEK APPROVAL FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A FINANCING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE PATROL CRAFT THAT WENT BEYOND THE 65:35 RATIO AGREED IN THE DCA WOULD CREATE A POLITICAL ROW WHICH WOULD BE VERY DAMAGING FOR HMG.

PAGE

SECRET

1