ENG-2004 — Page 531

Population and Immigration | 461

Legal Immigration

The Mainland is the major source of the HKSAR's immigrant population. During the year, about 38 100 Mainland residents came to settle and join their families in the HKSAR under the One-way Permit Scheme, which has a daily quota of 150.

Right of Abode

Article 24 of the Basic Law provides that permanent residents of the HKSAR shall have the right of abode in the HKSAR and be qualified to obtain, in accordance with the law of the Region, permanent identity cards which state their right of abode.

Certificate of Entitlement Scheme

Under Article 24(2)(3) of the Basic Law, persons of Chinese nationality born. outside Hong Kong of Hong Kong permanent residents shall be permanent residents of the HKSAR and enjoy the right of abode. The Immigration Ordinance stipulates that in order for a person to qualify for the right of abode under Article 24(2)(3) of the Basic Law, at least one parent must be a Chinese citizen who has the right of abode at the time of birth. The Government introduced the Certificate of Entitlement Scheme on July 10, 1997, under which a person's status as a permanent resident of the HKSAR under Article 24(2)(3) of the Basic Law can be established only by holding a valid travel document (i.e. a One-way Permit) with a valid certificate of entitlement affixed to it. This arrangement enables systematic verification of right of abode claims and ensures orderly entry. Between July 1, 1997 and the end of 2004, some 156 600 certificate of entitlement holders entered Hong Kong.

Entry for Employment

Hong Kong maintains an open and liberal policy towards entry for employment. Foreigners who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong, or who are in a position to make substantial contributions to its economy are welcome to come and work. In the light of social and economic developments in Hong Kong and elsewhere, the coverage of the policy was expanded in July 2003 to allow nationals/residents of more countries/territories to take up employment in Hong Kong. These people, after having ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years and having taken Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence, may apply to become Hong Kong permanent residents in accordance with the law. During the year, 19 155 professionals and persons with technical, administrative or managerial skills from more than 100 countries/territories were admitted for employment.

Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals

The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals was implemented on July 15, 2003, replacing the Admission of Talents Scheme and the Admission of Mainland Professionals Scheme. The conditions for admitting Mainland residents and foreigners for employment have been basically aligned upon the commencement of the new scheme. The objective of the scheme is to attract Mainland talents and professionals to work in Hong Kong to meet local manpower needs, facilitate local economic and other development, and to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the globalised market.