ENG-1999 — Page 492

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

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giving of the notice. A marriage can take place in one of the 10 marriage registries, or any of the 227 licensed places of public worship. In 1999, 29 253 marriages were celebrated in the marriage registries and 2 034 in licensed places of public worship.

Births and Deaths

Births and deaths registrations in Hong Kong are governed by the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance. Parents must report the birth of their child in Hong Kong to the Registrar of Births and Deaths within 42 days and the birth can be registered without any fee. A fee is charged if the birth is registered after 42 days but not later than one year. Beyond 12 months after the birth of the child, consent of the Registrar of Births and Deaths is required for post-registration. During 1999, 107 births were post-registered.

There are seven district birth registries. A mobile registry also provides service for remote areas and outlying islands.

Deaths from natural causes should be registered by the relatives within 24 hours. Hong Kong has four death registries providing a free service, and death may also be registered at one of the 15 designated police stations in the New Territories and outlying islands.

During the year, 50 513 live births and 33 387 deaths were recorded, compared with 53 356 and 32 680, respectively, in 1998. When adjusted for under-registration, the figures gave a natural population increase of about 0.27 per cent.

Verification of Eligibility for a Permanent Identity Card

Persons who claim permanent resident status in the HKSAR must apply for verification of their eligibility for a permanent identity card. 88 961 applications were received in 1999. Of these, 40 664 successful applicants were arranged to register for permanent identity cards.

Nationality Matters

The Immigration Department is authorised by the Central People's Government to handle Chinese nationality applications from Hong Kong residents from July 1, 1997. Under the law, Hong Kong residents of Chinese descent born in Chinese territories (including Hong Kong) are Chinese nationals, regardless of whether they hold a foreign passport. Those who want to be treated as foreign nationals in the HKSAR must make a declaration of change of nationality to the Immigration Department. During the year, the Immigration Department received 67 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 251 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 92 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 135 applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Establishment and Training

The department had 3 995 disciplined staff and 1 707 civilian staff at the end of the year, compared with 3 896 and 1 759 respectively in 1998. A total of 24 Immigration Officers and 56 Immigration Assistants were recruited in 1999.

The department provides training for new and serving officers. During the year, 158 new recruits completed induction courses covering law, immigration policies and procedures, foot-drills, physical training, swimming, first-aid and practical