A wedding to the mainland: is it for better or for worse?

If a mainlander or foreigner is married to a Hong Kong citizen, will he or she automatically become a permanent resident here? Related regulations after the handover are being discussed in the Joint Liaison Group. At present, a spouse who is partly or wholly Chinese and who has lived in Hong Kong for seven years is eligible for permanent residence. For spouses who are not ethnic Chinese, after they have lived here for seven years, they would be given an unconditional stay.

What is the requirement for getting married in Hong Kong? Anyone can choose to get married in Hong Kong, whether they are tourists or residents, as long as they notify the authority 15 days before applying for registration. The couple have to be over 16. Between the age of 16 and 21, parents' consent is required.

What should a Hong Konger do if he or she wants to get married in China? The groom needs to reach the age of 22 and the bride 20. A document proving the couple's marital status has to be obtained in Hong Kong and stamped by Chinese authorities. The couple also need health checks before registration.

Will a Hong Kong citizen's children who are born in China have the right of abode in Hong Kong? The children in China have to apply for a one-way permit from the Chinese Government. The Basic Law guarantees their right of abode in Hong Kong after the handover.

What is the procedure for divorce in the territory? The couple must have been married for at least one year if both sides agreed to the divorce. For those who were not married in the territory, at least one of them should have been living here for at least three years, or have substantial connections with the territory.

What is required to get a divorce in China? Even with consent from both sides, a divorce would not be approved without mediation by the court to prove the marriage was irretrievable. The divorce would not be granted if the wife was pregnant or within a year of her giving birth.