59.     For our elderly people retiring in the Mainland, Members of the Steering Committee suggested the provision of better financial support and services in the Mainland.

60.      In regard to Mainland women giving birth in Hong Kong, which has raised public concern, our basic principle is that Hong Kong residents receive priority for healthcare services.  Therefore, the number of non-local women giving birth in Hong Kong must be capped to avoid overloading our healthcare services.  Their Hong Kong-born children may choose to cross the boundary to attend school or to live in Hong Kong in future, which may strain our child care and education services.  On the other hand, these children may replenish our ageing population.  I must stress that the Government does not encourage Mainland women to give birth in Hong Kong.  But as long as their children are Hong Kong permanent residents, we must consider these children as a valuable human resource for Hong Kong.  In this regard, we must plan the relevant public services and make more realistic projections of the number of children who may come to settle or study in Hong Kong.  The Committee will continue to co-ordinate these efforts.

61.     For families with Hong Kong-born children living in the Mainland, we will step up the dissemination of information on the local education system to help them consider whether and how to arrange for their children to return to Hong Kong for schooling.  For those students who cross the boundary to attend schools in the territory, we will put in place support measures at boundary control points to ensure their safe journey.

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