ENG-2003 — Page 523

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

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 and 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 the year, 63 births were post-registered.

There are four district birth registries providing birth registration service to the public.

Deaths from natural causes should be registered by the relatives within 24 hours. Hong Kong has three 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, 47 687 live births and 36 422 deaths were registered, compared with 48 119 and 34 316 respectively in 2002. When adjusted for under-registration, the figures gave a natural population increase of about 0.14 per cent.

Verification of Eligibility for a Permanent Identity Card

Except those who are required to obtain Certificates of Entitlement, other persons who claim permanent resident status in the HKSAR must apply for verification of their eligibility for a permanent identity card. In 2003, 87 899 applications were received. Of these, 75 424 were approved.

Nationality Matters

The Immigration Department is authorised by the Central People's Government to handle Chinese nationality applications from Hong Kong residents. Applications can be made either by post or in person. With effect from February 1, 2000, those from overseas can be made through the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular missions. 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 49 applications for declaration of change of nationality, 702 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals, 94 applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality and 29 applications for restoration of Chinese nationality.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Outside Hong Kong

The Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of Immigration Department is tasked to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside the territory. During the year, 1 470 requests were handled.

During the outbreak of SARS, the Immigration Department stayed alert to travel restrictions and screening procedures imposed by certain countries/places which might affect the travel convenience of Hong Kong residents. The Immigration Department kept close contacts with the Travel Industry Council, Department of Health, consular representations in Hong Kong, Chinese diplomatic and consular missions. and overseas authorities in providing assistance to Hong Kong residents who met with difficulties when travelling abroad during the outbreak of SARS.

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