THIS
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DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S
GOVERNMENT
OPD (K) (93)
JUNE 1993
CABINET
MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND OVERSEAS POLICY (DEPENDENT
TERRITORIES)
HONG KONG: THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON
W
Xx MMemorandum by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonealth
Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence
Introduction
1. This memorandum examines the military, political and financial implications of a rapid run down of the Hong Kong garrison to an essentially symbolic presence, in order to avoid creating political difficulty with the Legislative Council (LEGCO) in Hong Kong over defence costs, and to increase the availability of
forces to meet commitments elsewhere.
Background
2. The Hong Kong garrison currently comprises 7200 military personnel from all three services and 2200 civilian personnel. Its basic components are set out at Annex A. Essentially it comprises three infantry battalions (two of which are Gurkha) plus other Army support units, three RN patrol craft and a squadron of eight RAF Wessex helicopters. Its current role is to
help demonstrate British sovereignty over Hong
Hong Kong and to
support the civil adminstration and RHKP including the maintenance of law and order if so required. It has no remit to
defend the Territory against major military aggression from
China, nor does it have the capacity to do so. Under the 1988
Defence Costs Agreement (DCA),
Agreement (DCA), 65% of the full costs of the
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