Advertisement

Removing automatic right of abode would deter tsunami of cross-border births

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

The present Hong Kong administration has a knack of oversimplifying complex issues and complicating issues that can be easily resolved.

One case in point is our immigration policies.

Every country has the right to safeguard its own borders, either for socio-political reasons or because of economic considerations.

The issue of mainland mothers giving birth here has figured prominently in the news. It boils down to the question of legitimate domicile in Hong Kong and the awarding of the right of abode to every child born here.

If children born here (when neither parent was a permanent resident) were not given automatic consideration of right of abode, would mainlanders still flock to the city to give birth?

I suspect that over time the numbers coming over the border would fall. If many still seek what they regard as better maternity care in Hong Kong, then government-run hospitals should accept such cases but charge similar fees as private hospitals.

At present, the imposed quotas are convoluted and unworkable. They are preventing the city from taking the opportunity of developing the growing medical tourism market.

Advertisement