ENG-1999 — Page 491

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

Emigration

The estimated number of emigrants dropped from 30 900 in 1997 to 19 300 in 1998. The figure was 12 900 in 1999.

Personal Documentation

The application, processing, record keeping and production of the HKSAR passports are strictly controlled by the Immigration Department. Under the HKSAR Passports Ordinance, eligibility is limited to Chinese citizens who are Hong Kong permanent residents holding permanent identity cards. The passport contains advanced anti- forgery design features.

Applications can be made either by post or in person. Those from overseas can be sent to the Immigration Department through the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular missions. All HKSAR passports are prepared centrally by the Immigration Department in Hong Kong, for collection either locally or at the relevant Chinese diplomatic or consular missions overseas. During the year, 294 826 applications were received, including 7 230 from overseas.

The HKSAR Passports Appeal Board was established on September 7, 1998, to handle appeals against refusal of applications for HKSAR passports. It received 74 appeals during 1999.

By the end of 1999, 67 countries had accorded visa-free facilities to HKSAR passport holders. In the interest of trade and tourism, the Government will continue to lobby other countries for the most favourable travel arrangements for HKSAR residents.

Other travel documents issued by the Immigration Department include Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes (DIs) and Re-entry Permits (REPs). DIs are used for international travel and are valid for seven years. They are issued to Hong Kong residents not eligible for the HKSAR passport but are nevertheless unable to obtain a national passport or travel document of another country. In 1999, 42 393 DIs were issued. REPs are issued to Hong Kong residents for travelling to the Mainland and Macau. In 1999, 94 919 REPs were issued.

The Immigration Department also issues identity cards to Hong Kong residents. There are two types of identity cards: the Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, issued to persons who have the right of abode in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Identity Card issued to residents who do not have that right. In 1999, 532 320 identity cards were issued: including 291 233 to new arrivals and persons attaining the age of 11 or 18 years, and 215 094 to people who applied for replacement identity cards due to loss, damage or change of personal particulars.

Marriages

Marriage registration in Hong Kong is governed by the Marriage Ordinance. All marriages contracted under the ordinance involve the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. There is no residential requirement for the marrying parties but neither of them can be under the age of 16

years.

Normally, the Registrar of Marriages should be given at least 15 days' notice of an intended marriage and the marriage must take place within three months after the

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