ENG-1994 — Page 502

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

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On April 7, 1994, a number of Vietnamese sustained injuries during a transfer exercise from the Whitehead Detention Centre to the High Island Detention Centre. Two Justices of the Peace were subsequently appointed to inquire into the incident. In their report, they concluded that the decision to effect the removal of the Vietnamese migrants from the Whitehead Detention Centre was appropriate and that it was also correct to have deployed such a large number of police and Correctional Services Department officers. However, they were critical of certain aspects of the operation such as using mace and tear gas too soon, not seizing opportunities to negotiate with the Vietnamese before further tear gas was used, and inadequate care in handling the belongings of the Vietnamese. Their recommendations to improve future operations were accepted in full by the government. These included the appointment of independent monitors for future operations, deployment of additional counselling staff to establish better communication with the Vietnamese and devising guidelines for handling their belongings during future transfers.

The 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. Considerable effort also goes into detecting and prosecuting those who breach - immigration laws, and removing those who have entered Hong Kong illegally.

Immigration policies are framed to limit permanent population growth brought about by immigration into Hong Kong, and to control the entry of foreign workers. Every effort is made to streamline immigration procedures for Hong Kong residents, tourists and businessmen. At the same time, the department aims to prevent both the entry of undesirable persons and the departure of persons wanted for criminal offences.

To take advantage of advanced information technology and to improve the efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness of services provided to the public, the department is implementing a long-term information systems strategy. The new system, which will be fully on line by the end of 1995, is expected to improve the department's productivity by 10 to 15 per cent.

Much of the department's work requires international co-operation to facilitate legitimate travel as well as stop illegal immigration. Officers make regular visits overseas to maintain and enhance liaison with colleagues in other immigration control enforcement agencies.

Immigration Control

Passenger traffic continued to increase in 1994. A total of 86.8 million passengers travelled to and from Hong Kong, up 5.6 per cent from 82.2 million in 1993. Movements to and from China also increased by 6.7 per cent, from 52.5 million in 1993 to 56 million.

The number of visitors travelling to Hong Kong increased to 9.3 million, up 4.5 per cent from the 8.9 million recorded in 1993. These included 1.7 million visitors from Taiwan and 1.7 million from China.

To facilitate passenger traffic between Hong Kong and Huanggang, the opening hours of the Lok Ma Chau Terminal were extended by one hour to 9:00 pm from January 1, 1994. To cope with the increase in traffic resulting from the opening of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-