Scrap ban on mainland women giving birth in Hong Kong, report says
Think tank led by Jasper Tsang floats controversial idea to boost workforce in rapidly ageing city
The Hong Kong Vision Project, led by former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, admitted the idea was controversial but said it was necessary to ensure the city stayed competitive as the workforce shrank in the coming decades.
But the government quickly dismissed the suggestion, saying it would not help solve the problem.
Releasing the project’s latest research report on Sunday, Tsang said Hongkongers’ longevity – ranked the longest in the world by Japan’s health and welfare ministry last year – coupled with a low fertility rate was a problem that needed to be addressed.
The highlight of the report, looking at various ways to boost the birth rate and lure overseas talents, was the call to set an annual quota of between 15,000 and 25,000 for mainland women to give birth in private hospitals.
Since 2013, non-local pregnant women have been banned from reserving hospital beds for delivery, but the rule does not apply to those with Hong Kong husbands.