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misinterpret advancement of the major review, publicly scheduled for 1992, as reflecting HMG's interest in accelerating withdrawal plans. Clearly, it would not be to our advantage to risk undermining Chinese confidence in our motives while we are still pressing for other important objectives on the defence front; notably the Defence Lands
issue.
3. The system of "rolling reviews" was designed to cater for the inevitable developments and adjustments in HMG's policy which itself will be predicated on the prevailing political and economic situation in Hong Kong, our relationship with the government in Beijing, and to a lesser extent, changing circumstances in the world at large.
4. The need for this very flexible approach has been amply borne
out by the dramatic events which took place in China in June 1989,
which caused a serious political and economic backlash in Hong Kong
and underscored the point that a quiet, well ordered progression to
the hand-over of the Territory in 1997 can by no means be taken for
granted. This view has been reinforced by the continuing difficulties experienced by the JLG in their dealings with the Chinese. Hong Kong public opinion remains potentially volatile to perceived changes in attitude by the Chinese Government and it is vital that these factors
are taken into account in our planning for an orderly withdrawal in
June 1997.
5. Following the example of the 1989 review, this document is complete in its own right and comprises four parts. The first part provides a comprehensive resume of the present political situation and
the events that have led to it. Part Two concerns itself with the
planning factors and developments which have provided the basis for this, the third review. Part Three comprises detail
comprises detail on specific
naval, land and air matters including the support required within the
Garrison. Part Four deals with summaries and recommendations.
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