POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION
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Admission of Mainland Students Graduating from University Grants Committee (UGC)-Funded Institutions in Hong Kong
With effect from August 1, 2001, Mainland students graduating from UGC-funded institutions since 1990 have been allowed to enter Hong Kong for employment. They also should possess skills or knowledge of value to, but not readily available in, Hong Kong. The objective of this new arrangement is to attract outstanding Mainland students who have completed studies at bachelor or above level to re-enter Hong Kong for employment after graduation, so as to increase Hong Kong's competitiveness in the knowledge-based global economy. During the year, 21 Mainland students received approval to enter through this channel.
Illegal Immigration
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The HKSAR is vigilant in guarding against the entry of Mainland illegal immigrants. The total daily average arrest figure region-wide for 2001 was 23, the same as that in 2000.
The HKSAR Government maintains close liaison with the Mainland and overseas governments on matters relating to population movements and irregular migration. In June, representatives from HKSAR law enforcement agencies travelled to Beijing to participate in a 'Workshop on Operational Co-operation to Combat Irregular Migration, Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants' organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and hosted by the Central People's Government.
Emigration
The estimated number of emigrants dropped from 12 900 in 1999 to 11 900 in 2000. The figure was 10 596 in 2001.
Personal Documentation
The issue of the HKSAR passport is strictly controlled by the Immigration Department. Under the HKSAR Passports Ordinance, eligibility is limited to Chinese citizens who are Hong Kong permanent residents holding permanent identity cards. The passport contains advanced anti-forgery design features.
Applications can be made either by post or in person. Those from overseas can be sent to the Immigration Department through the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular missions. All HKSAR passports are prepared centrally by the Immigration Department in Hong Kong, for collection either locally or at the relevant Chinese diplomatic or consular missions overseas. During the year, 433 624 applications were received, including 3 964 from overseas.
The HKSAR Passports Appeal Board was established on September 7, 1998 to handle appeals against refusal of applications for HKSAR passports. It received 46 appeals in 2001.
The Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union adopted a Council Regulation on March 15, 2001, which grants visa-free access to HKSAR passport holders with effect from April 10, 2001. The visa-free grant is a milestone in the Government's efforts to enhance travel convenience for HKSAR passport holders. It signifies the confidence of the European Union in the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and the Government's effective immigration control under such arrangement. Apart from the European Union's action, the Government