ENG-2007 — Page 483

Population and Immigration | 407

the Basic Law, at least one of his or her natural parents must be a Chinese citizen who has the right of abode at the time of birth of that person.

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 such as 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 2007, some 173 400 certificate of entitlement holders entered Hong Kong from the Mainland.

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme launched on June 28, 2006 seeks to enhance Hong Kong's pool of human capital. Under it, talented people from the Mainland and overseas who meet specified criteria will be allowed to settle in Hong Kong without first securing an offer of local employment. The scheme is quota-based with an annual quota of 1 000. Applicants may choose to be assessed under either one of two point-based tests: the General Points Test and the Achievement-based Points Test. Selections are conducted on a regular basis to allocate quotas to the most meritorious applicants. An advisory committee comprising official and non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive advises the Director of Immigration on the selection of applicants.

As at end of 2007, a total of 1 214 applications had been received. Of the 451 applications short-listed for further comment by the advisory committee, 322 were allocated quotas and 212 of them were issued with visas or entry permits to live and work in Hong Kong. Among the 322 applicants who were allocated quota, 87 per cent chose to be assessed under the General Points Test and the remaining 13 per cent under the Achievement-based Points Test. The successful applicants came from a wide range of professions or sectors, such as financial services, art and sports.

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

The Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was launched in October 2003. Its objective is to facilitate the entry for residence of people who make capital investments in Hong Kong but who would not, in the context of the scheme, be engaged in running any business here. The new capital brought in by them contributes to Hong Kong's economic development. The scheme is applicable generally to foreign nationals, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) residents, Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country, stateless people who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country with proven re-entry facilities, and residents of Taiwan. Successful applicants are required to invest in Hong Kong not less than $6.5 million in real estate or permissible financial assets, such as equities, debt securities, certificates of deposits, subordinated debt and other eligible Collective Investment Schemes.

By end of 2007, a total of 3 705 applications had been received and 1 800 had been granted formal approval. Another 360 applicants, having been granted approval