DRAFT OPD(K) PAPER
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HONG KONG: THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON
Introduction
1. This memorandum examines the military, political and financial
implications of a rapid run down of the Hong 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 other commitments.
Background
2. The Hong Kong garrison currently comprises [] military
personnel from all three services and [] civilian personnel. Its
basic structure is set out at Annex A. Its current role is to
help demonstrate British sovereignty over Hong Kong and to
support the Hong Kong civil authorities in the preservation of internal security and law and order. 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), 65% of the full running costs of the garrison are met by the Hong Kong government. In 1992/3, this amounted to
[].
3. The garrison will need to be withdrawn in its entirety by 30
June 1997. Current plans envisage a staged withdrawal of forces, with the aim of maintaining a minimum military capacity, based
around two infantry battalions, to carry out the tasks set out
above until late 1996, taking into account improvements that have
been and continue to be made in the ability of the Royal Hong
Kong Police (RHKP) to carry out internal security functions. (For example, the RHKP now have full responsibility for policing the Sino-Hong Kong border.) However, the requirement for the garrison
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