Mainland officials to leave SAR after their work is done
Top News | Michael Shum 11 Jul 2024
Michael Shum
Mainland officials will have to leave the city after their deployment in Hong Kong, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung told the legislature after a lawmaker asked if the government planned to grant permanent residency to mainland officials stationed here.
In the Legislative Council yesterday, Election Committee sector lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun said the government should allow mainland officials who have served in the city for a long time and are familiar with the SAR to stay after completing their job.
"Allowing them to stay longer or even get permanent residency like all non-Chinese who have lived here for seven continuous years will enable them to be more effectively a bridge of communication between the mainland and Hong Kong," Tse said.
He said that in the mainland, the central government allows its public servants to apply for household registration in a different province after working there long-term. They can then bring along their spouses and children.
Tang said the management of these public officers falls under the purview of the central government and they entered the SAR with an Exit-Entry Permit for official purposes.
"The permit states that the holder is a public officer of the country and is directed to work in Hong Kong or Macau. Hong Kong's Immigration Ordinance states that holders of the travel document shall not be treated as an ordinary resident in Hong Kong," Tang said.
"That said, they will not be granted permanent residency even if they enter Hong Kong with the permit."
Tang explained that the Immigration Ordinance was amended in 2001 and the administration then said mainland officials are directed to Hong Kong on official capacity just like members of the People's Liberation Army's Hong Kong Garrison.
Tang said that according to the central government's policy, these officials are required to return to the mainland, and the mainland authorities also have no provision for them to stay in Hong Kong after that.
"Therefore, they are not counted as part of Hong Kong's permanent population. The SAR government has clearly stated the amendment is in line with the Basic Law."
michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com
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