Officials to close second-child loophole

Shenzhen authorities plan to ban the city's permanent residents from giving birth to a second child in Hong Kong, Macau or foreign countries, plugging a loophole that tens of thousands of rich mainland mothers use every year to evade the mainland's one-child policy.

A spokeswoman for Shenzhen's Legislative Affairs Office said the latest draft of its birth control regulations would deem Shenzhen mothers giving birth to a second child outside the mainland to be in violation of the birth-control policy and subject to a fine ranging from 120,000 to 160,000 yuan (HK$138,400-184,500).

The fine will increase further if the mother gives birth to more children outside the mainland.

'The draft, which is still undergoing public consultation, would only apply to parents who are Shenzhen permanent residents and don't have other countries' residency,' the spokeswoman said.

She denied the draft was announced under any pressure from Hong Kong. Thousands of rich mainland mothers have rushed to the special administrative region to give birth to their second children, leaving fewer hospital beds for Hong Kong mothers-to-be.

'The Legislative Affairs Office drafted the new regulation simply because the situation of giving birth to a second child overseas has gradually become worse, and many children born overseas actually return to Shenzhen to live with their parents and enjoy social welfare such as compulsory education, placing an extra burden on public expenditure,' she said.