XN000022-1997-02-03 — Page 7

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New handbook for new arrivals from China published

A total of 200,000 copies of a new service handbook for new arrivals from China will be available from today (Monday) for distribution to the newcomers to help them integrate into the local community, the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, said.

Speaking at a press briefing to launch the second edition of the service handbook today, Mrs Lau said the handbook carried additional information on a wide range of services provided by government departments and non-governmental organisations.

"The first edition of the handbook prepared by the Home Affairs Department (HAD) last July received overwhelming response and newcomers found it very informative.

"We have therefore arranged to print more copies of the handbook with new chapters on vocational training, legal aid, consumers' rights, recreational and cultural venues, postal services, and services for new arrivals by non-governmental organisations as well as additional information on the Housing Department's Rent Assistance Scheme, squatter and roof-top structures, the Hospital Authority's emergency casualty services, and academic qualifications and accreditation.

"We hope the handbook will be useful to the new arrivals in helping them to adapt to the local way of life and to obtain the services they need," she said.

Written in simplified Chinese characters, the 151-page handbook also contains concisely presented facts on immigration, HAD services, social welfare, housing, education, employment, medical care, family planning, corruption prevention, transport, and emergency services.

It will be distributed at the Lo Wu immigration checkpoint, Registration of Persons - Kowloon Office at Empire Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and all HAD district offices.

Mrs Lau also released today the findings of an HAD survey conducted with the assistance of the Immigration Department last year on newcomers from China.

She said firsthand information on the group was essential in helping the Government identify their special needs with reference to their age, dialect spoken and the district in which they lived.