XN000022-1981-02-09 — Page 3

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1981

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TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND COMPANIES ON THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT'S MAILING LIST FOR NOTICE TO EXPORTERS

SERIES 2: (EEC) WILL RECEIVE COPIES OF NOTICE NO 6/81 SHORTLY. COPIES OF THE NOTICE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE RECEPTION COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS

DEPARTMENT, OCEAN CENTRE.

INTERESTED PARTIES WHO WISH TO SEEK FURTHER INFORMATION MAY CONTACT THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS :

MR A.L.S. LAI

MR K.K. LEUNG

INDUSTRY OFFICER

INDUSTRY OFFICER

TELEPHONE 3-7222303

TELEPHONE 3-7222304

GIVE NOTICE TO MARRY

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THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT ANYONE WHO INTENDS TO MARRY IN HONG KONG IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO GIVE A 15 CLEAR DAY NOTICE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: +TO COMPLY WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, NOTICES OF INTENDED MARRIAGE WITH A VISITOR WHO IS ONLY PERMITTED TO STAY HERE FOR A STAY OF LESS THAN 15 DAYS WILL THEREFORE NOT BE ACCEPTED.

+EXTENSIONS OF STAY WILL NOT NORMALLY BE GRANTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING MARRIED IN HONG KONG AND OVERSTAYERS ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND REMOVAL, HE ADDED.

HE ADVISED THOSE WHO HAVE THE INTENTION OF COMING HERE FOR MARRIAGE OR SETTLEMENT TO APPLY FOR AND OBTAIN THE APPROPRIATE VISA IN THE IR COUNTRY OF DOMICILE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

+THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG AS A VISITOR BUT UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT IN GIVING NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE SHOULD RETURN TO THE IR COUNTRIES FOR THE SAME PROCEDURE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THERE HAD BEEN INCIDENTS OF EITHER COUPLE BECOMING VICTIMS OF BOGUS MARRIAGES IN THE PAST.

MOST OF THE DECEIVED BRIDEGROOMS WERE LOCAL MIDDLE-AGED MEN WHO OFTEN HAD TO PAY SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A WIFE. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF COHABITATION, THEIR WIVES WOULD DISAPPEAR.

IN SOME CASES, HOWEVER, THE VICTIMS WERE YOUNG BRIDES USUALLY FROM SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, WHO SOUGHT A LUXURIOUS LIFE IN HONG KONG.

+WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY FOUND THEMSELVES SOLD TO SOME MIDDLE-AGED MEN IN SOME SQUATTER HUTS ON HILLSIDES, AND WOULD LATER APPROACH US FOR ASSISTANCE, HE ADDED.

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