A landmark court victory by young migrants sparked fears yesterday that thousands of mainlanders will head for Hong Kong hoping to claim their right of abode.
Border security was stepped up in an effort to prevent an immediate influx and the Government began urgent talks with mainland authorities to ensure migrants entered in an orderly and lawful fashion.
Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said of the ruling: 'It means, potentially, the pool of persons in the mainland eligible for the right of abode in Hong Kong will be substantially greater than our original estimate.' She admitted the precise numbers involved were unknown, but they would run into many thousands.
She said the ruling would, in the long term, affect community life and put pressure on resources such as education, health and housing.
But the judgment was hailed by lawyers as a victory for Hong Kong's autonomy and human rights.
Pam Baker, a solicitor for the migrants, said: 'I am absolutely thrilled to bits. These children are entitled to be here. They will be an asset to Hong Kong.' Vice-chairman of the Bar Association Philip Dykes, SC, also for the migrants, said: 'I think the people of Hong Kong would be pleased to see that the court is putting Hong Kong first when it comes to any constitutional analysis of relations with the mainland.' The unanimous Court of Final Appeal ruling gave SAR courts the power to interfere with decisions of the National People's Congress which broke the Basic Law, placed restrictions on the circumstances in which cases could be considered by the mainland body and ensured the importance of human rights would be paramount when considering the Basic Law.