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Hong Kong is a uniquely fluid community. Close to half of
its population was born elsewhere and later moved here. There is a constant flow of students, professional people, workers and families between Hong Kong and the rest of the world. It is, in addition, one of the most popular spots on earth for visitors: Approximately five million arrivals and departures are recorded yearly, and this number is rising all the time. The authority that presides over this human kaleidoscope is the Immigration Department, one of the busiest arms of the Hong Kong Government. Something of the work of the department is shown in the following pages.
The title page picture shows Immigration Officers boarding one of the 6,000 or so sea-going ships which visit Hong Kong each year. Ship processing procedures were streamlined dur- ing the year to help speed up the turn-around of shipping. The facing page shows (top) members of the public being assisted by an Immigration official at the head office on Hong Kong Island; and (below) arrivals at one of the Immigration Department's busiest centres-the Macau hydrofoil terminal,