ENG-1987 — Page 361

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POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

totalled some 51.7 million, an increase of 18.6 per cent compared with 43.6 million in 1986. Movements to and from China, up 4.8 million from 25.7 million in 1986, showed the biggest growth, but the figures for other categories of travellers also increased. The bulk of the China traffic was carried by rail via Lo Wu, where a new enlarged terminal came into operation on January 16, making travel to and from China by rail more comfortable and convenient.

Arrangements for residents of China to visit Hong Kong were further extended. During the year, there were 85 700 individual visitors and 88 400 visitors who travelled in groups.

Computerisation of immigration control points was introduced at the Hong Kong- Macau Ferry terminals in May. It was extended to Lo Wu and Hung Hom in August and to Sha Tau Kok and Man Kam To in November. It will be further extended to the airport in the second half of 1988. Under this 'Easy Travel Scheme', Hong Kong residents travelling with their Hong Kong identity cards are no longer required to complete arrival and departure cards. Most Hong Kong residents travelling to and from China and Macau benefit further by not having to hold a Hong Kong re-entry permit.

Revised conditions of service for foreign domestic helpers, which covered conditions of stay, change of employment, renewal of contract, wage level, part-time work and insurance policies were introduced in April, following a lengthy policy review. Change of employment before the contract has run its full term is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. By the end of the year, the number of foreign domestic helpers had increased by 7 880 to 36 831. Of these 34 433 were citizens of the Philippines.

Population

The population increased by 70 800 during the year to 5.66 million, a growth rate of 1.27 per cent. The increase consisted of a migration balance of 27 900, and of natural growth, that is births minus deaths, of 42 900.

Legal Immigration

China continued to be the main source of new immigrants. The number of new arrivals from the mainland remained steady at about 27 300. Of these, 9 559 were wives, 13 292 were children and 998 were husbands of local residents.

In March, the policy governing the entry of husbands from places other than China was relaxed to bring it into line with the policy for the admission of wives. As a result, 609 husbands in this category were admitted for settlement during the year, compared with 133 in 1986.

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration continued to pose the greatest threat to limiting population growth to a reasonable level. In the first half of the year, there was a sustained influx of illegal immigrants from China, many of whom were attracted by unfounded rumours that there would be an amnesty with the introduction of the permanent identity card in July. With the government making clear its firm stand, the influx was gradually reduced in the latter half of the year.

During the year, an average of 61 illegal immigrants a day were arrested while entering. A further 12 illegal immigrants who evaded detection on entry were arrested each day.

Illegal immigration of children took a new turn in late 1986. During the six-month period from October 1986 to March 1987, a total of 220 young illegal immigrants were arrested upon entry; another 732 who had evaded arrest emerged. The humanitarian policy of