The growing number of women from mainland giving birth in Hong Kong is putting great pressure on the region's maternity department.

内地孕妇赴港产子挤爆香港医院

新华社报道，香港特区政府食物及卫生局局长周一岳30日表示，越来越多的内地孕妇来港产子，对香港妇产科的服务造成压力。

根据香港基本法，出生在香港的孩子即属香港永久性居民。一些内地居民为此特意到香港产子。去年在香港出生的婴儿有将近一半系大陆孕妇所生。统计数字显示，2010年约有8.8万名婴儿在香港出生，其中内地孕妇在港所生婴儿约4.1万名。

他说，香港医院管理局提供的服务，会优先考虑照顾香港本地孕妇。

Too many mainlanders giving birth in HK

York Y N Chow, secretary for Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau, said Wednesday that the growing number of women from mainland giving birth in Hong Kong is putting great pressure on the region's maternity department, Xinhua reported.

Almost half of last year's births in Hong Kong were by mainland women who seek to give their children a permanent resident status. Hong Kong recorded 88,000 births last year, 41,000 of which were births by mainland women. According to Hong Kong law, anyone born in the region automatically has permanent resident status.

Chow said medical services should give priority to local women.

(China.org.cn April 1, 2011)