From Chinese Press

Mainland baby boom in HK

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-10 08:11

It is becoming a trend among some well-to-do residents of the Chinese mainland to give birth to children in Hong Kong, because they are assured of better medical facilities and social welfare system, says an article on www.cnhubei.com. Excerpts:

Women who have given birth to children in Hong Kong say they chose the Special Administrative Region (SAR) primarily because of its high-quality medical care.

Hong Kong's social welfare system is another important factor that influences their decision. The high tuition fees charged by mainland kindergartens make many parents in neighboring cities turn their attention to the SAR for its low cost but good education. If a child is born in Hong Kong, it is ensured of getting a permanent residence permit and, hence, to study in the SAR. Perhaps, this factor prompts parents the most to plan their children's birth in Hong Kong. But this trend could cause instability in Hong Kong. If all the mainland residents' children born in Hong Kong choose to migrate there, its population will increase unexpectedly and put undue pressure on its resources, especially land which is limited.

(China Daily 08/10/2010 page9)