Mainland Chinese granted one-way permits to live in Hong Kong may get right to return

Mainlanders who settle in Hong Kong to reunite with their families may have their right to live on the mainland restored under a special programme being mulled by Beijing.

The scheme, under consideration by the State Council, would provide a way out for new arrivals who fail to cope with life in Hong Kong, where many struggle to find work. Social workers welcomed the idea, while activists said allowing mainlanders who failed to integrate to leave could ease anti-mainland sentiment.

Mainlanders with family in Hong Kong can apply for a one-way permit, allowing them to settle in the city. But should they receive a permit - of which 150 are available each day - they must surrender their mainland household registration, or hukou and lose all rights associated with it, including education and subsidised health care in cities or compensation for requisitioned farmland in the countryside.

Lawmaker Wong Kwok-kin said he was briefed by the Public Security Bureau as part of a Federation of Trade Unions delegation to Beijing in September.

"We were told at that time that the State Council was exploring the idea," Wong said. "To avoid possible abuse, we suggested such a scheme should only apply to those who have been in Hong Kong for, say, three years or less."

No timeframe was mentioned and the FTU, of which he is vice-chairman, had not been updated. Wong said the FTU received 20 or so inquiries per year from people about the possibility of restoring mainland residency. A poll by an NGO in August showed that 70 per cent of new arrivals could not find work in the city. Some found their qualifications were not recognised, while others cited discrimination.