Hong Kong limits pregnant Chinese women

[peejay 327]

Hong Kong limits pregnant Chinese women

By SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press Writer

Tue Jan 16, 2:26 PM ET

HONG KONG - Pregnant women from mainland China who are near their due date will be turned away at Hong Kong borders if they cannot prove they have appointments in the city's hospitals, officials said Tuesday. The number of births by mainland Chinese women in Hong Kong nearly doubled in 2005 — from 10,128 in 2003 to 19,538 — according to the city's Hospital Authority. Many come to evade China's one-child policy, take advantage of higher quality health care or earn Hong Kong residency rights for their babies.

The former British colony of Hong Kong is now under Chinese rule, but it remains separately governed and maintains immigration controls. Hong Kong residency, which is required to live in the city, is coveted by mainland Chinese because of the higher standard of living here and prospect of a better education for their children.

Starting in February, mainland Chinese women who are more than seven months pregnant cannot enter Hong Kong if they cannot prove that a Hong Kong hospital has confirmed arrangements for their admission, said Patrick Nip, deputy secretary for the Health, Welfare and Food department.

Many mainland women currently do not make bookings or provide prenatal records to Hong Kong hospitals, choosing instead to rush to emergency wards at the last minute to give birth. Some leave behind large hospital debts when they return to China.

As part of the new rules, mainland Chinese mothers will have to pay double the normal fee to give birth in Hong Kong hospitals. Medical staff stationed at border control points will help officials step up checks on women who appear far along in their pregnancies, an immigration official said.

"If there's a need to ascertain whether a woman is pregnant or not, medical staff would be at hand to provide assistance," said David Chiu, an assistant director of Immigration.

But some say the new measures are discriminatory because they single out mainland Chinese women. According to officials, pregnant women of other nationalities will not be subject to the measures because their numbers are relatively small.

"It's important to see if this is really justified," said Law Yuk-kai with the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor.

"Why is it just Chinese women, not women from other places? Pregnant women may also have legitimate reasons for coming to Hong Kong," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070116/ap_on_...ainland_mothers

Sounds like Hong Kong knows who is abusing the system.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

"The former British colony of Hong Kong is now under Chinese rule..."

That may be the crux of the whole--orders from PRC government in Beijing so as to cut off another avenue of "escape".

[Robor007 0]

"[but some say the new measures are discriminatory because they single out mainland Chinese women. According to officials, pregnant women of other nationalities will not be subject to the measures because their numbers are relatively small.

"It's important to see if this is really justified," said Law Yuk-kai with the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor.

"Why is it just Chinese women, not women from other places? Pregnant women may also have legitimate reasons for coming to Hong Kong," he said."

This is one of those questions that deserves a 'Duh!' response because it's a convoluted question. HK is afraid (and apparently rightfully so) that mainland Chinese women will give birth in their hospitals and stick them with the bill. And the reason they single out mainland Chinese women is it's been identified as a problem. Given the situation, I think their reasons and actions are rather obvious and valid.

The US is very (more?) selective on who they let into the country and they definitely use discrimination in the process. I don't see why this Honk Kong policy is something to be outraged about.

[Ban Hammer 14,420]

The US is very (more?) selective on who they let into the country and they definitely use discrimination in the process. I don't see why this Honk Kong policy is something to be outraged about.

less........if an ambulance from mexico crosses the border with a woman about to give birth, does the border patrol let it thru or refuse entry?

[zyggy 9]

The US is very (more?) selective on who they let into the country and they definitely use discrimination in the process. I don't see why this Honk Kong policy is something to be outraged about.

less........if an ambulance from mexico crosses the border with a woman about to give birth, does the border patrol let it thru or refuse entry?

Unless there was a hospital willing and able to take the case wth the paperwork to back it up, the CBP would refuse entry... Mexican or Canadian hospitals are more than able to deliver a child...

Edited January 17, 2007 by zyggy

[Ban Hammer 14,420]

The US is very (more?) selective on who they let into the country and they definitely use discrimination in the process. I don't see why this Honk Kong policy is something to be outraged about.

less........if an ambulance from mexico crosses the border with a woman about to give birth, does the border patrol let it thru or refuse entry?

Unless there was a hospital willing and able to take the case wth the paperwork to back it up, the CBP would refuse entry... Mexican or Canadian hospitals are more than able to deliver a child...

my dad was telling me in southern texas they are let thru.

[Robor007 0]

The US is very (more?) selective on who they let into the country and they definitely use discrimination in the process. I don't see why this Honk Kong policy is something to be outraged about.

less........if an ambulance from mexico crosses the border with a woman about to give birth, does the border patrol let it thru or refuse entry?

I honestly can't answer that question. My best guess would be they would error on the side of caution (for the mother, child, and public opinion) and grant entry.

But this appears to be a different situation in turning people away. If there was no emergency involved I don't think US immigration would let someone from a country where their citizens are considered an 'immigration threat' (/me rolls eyes) into the US.

[zyggy 9]

The US is very (more?) selective on who they let into the country and they definitely use discrimination in the process. I don't see why this Honk Kong policy is something to be outraged about.

less........if an ambulance from mexico crosses the border with a woman about to give birth, does the border patrol let it thru or refuse entry?

Unless there was a hospital willing and able to take the case wth the paperwork to back it up, the CBP would refuse entry... Mexican or Canadian hospitals are more than able to deliver a child...

my dad was telling me in southern texas they are let thru.

As I said, there may be a special birth or special condition that would require it and need the better doctors and equipment in the US... If they let in anyone, there would be a line up to get this done...

For instance, if a OB knows that there will be difficulties with the delivery either in advance or during admission that could cause harm to either the mother or the baby, they will arrange for a US hospital bed and have the delivery perfromed by a specialist in the US... but it is planned for in advance between the doctors before the ambulance goes through and CBP is notified of it...

Edited January 17, 2007 by zyggy

[Thingee 0]

I heard about this on the news this morning. Apparently if a child is born in Hong Kong they're eligible for a residency permit, which opens the doors to all sorts of financial aid. The conditions in the hospitals can get horribly crowded, women sleeping on cots in the hallway and nursing newborns there.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6269655.stm