TNAG-2676-FCO40-3873-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 132

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Political and presentational implications

a

will

fre

-scarrial

10. The Chinese leadership are deeply concerned by the risk of

breakdown

in in public order

the last years

of British

administration. They would be concerned that any early reduction in the garrison could lessen our ability to maintain law and order. In addition, officials directly concerned with Hong Kong will be likely to perceive an early reduction, in part at least, as an attempt to demonstrate that the Chinese garrison will not need as much, of the military estate in Hong Kong as they are

A bother

Comad hoodwadays for the Chiron of an enler - ham who so thr claiming. They will not be happy with a reduction since it would make the size of their garrison (probably 10,000 troops plus support units) appear excessive. In public they are likely to query the need for the reductions this late in the day. We have committed ourselves to keeping

to keeping the Chinese informed of our * planning for the withdrawal of the garrison, but not to consulting

11 We a

them.

11.

the

The majority of people in Hong Kong will welcome reduction in the costs of the garrison. Some however may question whether an accelerated run-down reflected a lessening of HMG's

political commitment to Hong Kong, A few may express concern at

the removal of the its residual internal security role. Reaction in the UK will focus on the wider picture of the ability of the UK to meet its military commitments, rather than any diminution of the UK's interests in Hong Kong in the last three years of our

sovereignty.

commitment to

12. The announcement and public handling of such a reduction would also require careful handling, both in Hong Kong and in the UK. We will need to be able to counter claims that we are abandoning Hong Kong and moreover that we are doing so to relieve

overstretch in the Army.

Finance

Kader

Use the big butt Trink Lawan Grove,

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committed to hearing the Alwar Amal it a damning to the wollbart 1the gain

atto formally consulting

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