Delivery in Hong Kong still popular

Mainlanders once again flock south to give birth after restrictions lifted

The flood of pregnant mainland mothers going to Hong Kong to give birth is back up to full steam this year, after the Hong Kong Hospital Authority stopped allowing non-Hong Kong residents to book public hospital beds for deliveries from Oct 9 to Dec 31 last year. The temporary move was to ensure enough beds for Hong Kong women during what authorities say is the peak delivery period.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Court of Final Appeal ruled on July 20, 2001 that any baby born in Hong Kong was automatically eligible for permanent residence. Since then an increasing number of pregnant mainland women have flocked to Hong Kong to give birth, guaranteeing Hong Kong residency for their babies.