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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, in the Legislative Council today (November 8):

Question:

Regarding the problem of Mainland women entering Hong Kong to engage in prostitution, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of Mainland women intercepted while trying to enter Hong Kong illegally by sea each month during the past year, and the number of such women who were reasonably believed by the relevant authorities to have the intention of working as prostitutes in Hong Kong; and

(b) whether it has assessed if the problem of Mainland women entering Hong Kong to engage in prostitution is deteriorating; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) In 1999, a total of 2 010 female illegal immigrants entering by sea were intercepted, averaging 167 persons per month. In the first nine months of 2000, 1 244 such illegal immigrants were arrested, representing a monthly average of 138 persons. Following investigations, the Police suspected that about 20 per cent to 30 per cent of these illegal immigrants came to Hong Kong with an intention to engage in prostitution activities.

(b) From 1998 to 2000 (January to September), the number of Mainland women involved in prostitution activities who were prosecuted and convicted for breach of condition of stay/illegal remaining is as follows:

Year Breach of Illegal Total Monthly

condition of stay remaining average

---- ----------------- --------- ----- -------

1998 1 395 63 1 458 122

1999 1 409 24 1 433 119

2000 1 707 132 1 839 204

(Jan-Sep)

According to the statistics above, the monthly average in 2000 (Jan-Sep) (204) has increased by 71 per cent when compared with that of 1999 (119). These figures show that the problem is aggravating.

The Government has always taken a serious view of the problem of Mainland women involved in prostitution activities in Hong Kong. The law enforcement departments have been taking proactive measures to combat the rising trend of such illegal activities.

In respect of immigration control, Immigration officers at Control Points always subject doubtful visitors to close examination to prevent them from entering Hong Kong to engage in prostitution or other illegal activities. Furthermore, the Immigration Department provides regular reports on offences committed by Mainland visitors in Hong Kong to Mainland public security authorities. These reports include information of Mainland women arrested for engaging in prostitution activities.

The Police have also stepped up enforcement action against black spots of vice activities. Apart from increasing inspection of vice establishments and initiating various enforcement operations, the Police have also conducted joint operations with the Immigration Department against premises suspected for accommodating Mainland women for vice activities. With regard to intelligence collection, the Police have passed information on two-way permit holders who engaged in prostitution to Mainland law enforcement agencies.

In addition to strengthening local enforcement action, our law enforcement departments have also maintained close cooperation with their Mainland counterparts to combat such illegal activities effectively. During the Director of Immigration's visit to the Guangdong and Fujian Public Security Bureaux from October 20 to 25, 2000, the latest situation regarding the problem of Mainland prostitutes was discussed.

Furthermore, this subject is discussed and information exchanged at the semi-annual Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Tripartite Meeting. To further strengthen cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland authorities, the Police (including two officers from the Immigration Department) has sent a delegation to the Guangdong Public Security Bureau on October 31, 2000 to hold discussions. This has not only resulted in improving the intelligence exchange concerning the problem of Mainland prostitutes in Hong Kong but also enhanced mutual understanding and laid down a foundation for mutual cooperation on the matter. There are also plans of conducting joint operations to curb Mainland women entering Hong Kong for prostitution.

End/Wednesday, November 8, 2000

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