Hong Kong hospitals to limit "birth tourism" for Chinese nationalsApril 25, 2012 - 15:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Hong Kong hospitals will limit maternity services to women arriving from mainland China to give birth from next year, under new proposals from its incoming chief executive, BBC News reported. While the proposal would only apply to public hospitals, private hospitals have also agreed to follow suit. Increasing "birth tourism" from the mainland has caused tensions. Some in China have sought to give birth in Hong Kong to ensure that their children receive Hong Kong citizenship. The "zero quota" proposals were made by Chief-Executive-Elect CY Leung, who takes office on 1 July. Under the proposals, pregnant women from mainland China will not be eligible for obstetrics services from next year, unless their husband is from Hong Kong. Furthermore, children born to mainland parents will not be guaranteed residency unless one of their parents is a Hong Kong resident. The new proposals are likely to be popular in Hong Kong, whose residents have said that "birth tourism" from mainland China has strained resources and put lives at risk. Hong Kong has seen a surge in anti-China sentiment in recent months, due to resentment over "birth tourism" and claims that tourists from mainland China get preferential treatment. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Azerbaijan complains to Germany about Armenia's constitution Bayramov has complained about the Armenian constitution to his German counterpart Annalena Berbock. idcoin: New tool in IDBank’s loyalty system IDBank has announced the launch of idcoin, a new tool in the customer loyalty system. U.S., Armenia sign customs deal According to Armenian customs data, U.S.-Armenian trade reached $670 million last year. Glendale mayor to visit Yerevan Asatryan last visited Armenia in December 2022-January 2023 as she helped establish a partnership between Armenia’s Opera House and Los Angeles Opera. |