ENG-1991 — Page 426

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

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The 1991 Population Census showed that 60 per cent of the people were born in Hong Kong and 34 per cent were born in China.

More statistics are given at Appendix 28.

Immigration Department

The work of the Immigration Department falls into two main streams, controlling people moving into and out of Hong Kong, and providing travel documents and registration facilities for local residents. The work embraces such diverse fields as the issue of travel documents, visas and identity cards, naturalisation, and the registration of births, deaths and marriages. Much effort also goes into the detection and prosecution of those who breach the immigration laws and the repatriation of those who have entered Hong Kong illegally.

Immigration policies are framed to limit permanent population growth, thus maintaining the stability and prosperity of the local community, and to control the entry of foreign workers, thus protecting the local labour force from unfair competition. Every effort is made to streamline immigration procedures for Hong Kong residents, tourists and businessmen and to prevent the entry of undesirable persons and the departure of persons wanted for criminal offences, thereby contributing to the internal security and law and order of Hong Kong.

To take full advantage of advanced information technology and to improve the efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness of services provided to the public, consultants were engaged to conduct a study with a view to formulating a long-term information systems strategic plan for the department. The plan was subsequently approved by the Finance Committee on November 22, 1991. On full implementation, it is estimated that productivity of the department will be enhanced by 10-15 per cent.

Much of the department's work requires international co-operation and immigration officers make regular visits overseas to maintain and enhance liaison with foreign law enforce- ment agencies and British overseas posts (embassies, high commissions and consulates).

Immigration Control

Passenger traffic continued to increase in 1991. During the year, 69.1 million passengers travelled in and out of Hong Kong, up 8.5 per cent when compared with 63.7 million in 1990. Movements to and from China also increased by 14.1 per cent, from 36.9 million in 1990 to 42.1 million in 1991.

The number of visitors from Taiwan in 1991 remained steady at 1.4 million as in 1990. The multiple visit permit scheme introduced on June 1, 1990, was well received. To further facilitate genuine visitors and businessmen from Taiwan, a jumbo multiple visit permit of two-year validity was introduced on June 1, 1991.

During the year, a total of 299 000 residents of China visited Hong Kong, with 140 000 travelling individually and 158 000 travelling in groups, an increase of 15 per cent compared with 260 000 in 1990.

To optimise the utilisation of the Lok Ma Chau border crossing, an exercise to divert 2 950 vehicles from Man Kam To to Lok Ma Chau was completed this year. Since August 8, 1991, daily operations of this border crossing have been extended from eight hours to 12 hours.

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