Zeng Chuanni 06411260 Huang Wei 06951710 Chen Zhen 06409610 Liu Qian 06410350 Xu Chenyan 06411000 Com5520D Applied Communication Research MSc in New Media, April 2007 Hong Kong Mainlander Baby Boom

1. Introduction “ Mainlander baby boom” refers to the tremendous increment of babies born by mainland pregnant women in HK. The impacts of mainlander baby boom are multi-faceted . Most of the attention concentrates predominantly on its negative impacts . 香港卫生福利及食物局副秘书长聂德权（右）表示，新政可确保香港孕妇得到妥善和优先服务。 内地孕妇来港产子人数变化 ( 数据来源：香港医管局 ) 10,128 26,132 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 2001 年 2006 年 人数

“ Mainlander baby boom” refers to the tremendous increment of babies born by mainland pregnant women in HK.

The impacts of mainlander baby boom are multi-faceted .

Most of the attention concentrates predominantly on its negative impacts .

New Regulations HKSAR Adopt 1. Introduction Starting from 1st February, mainland women who are not allowed to enter HK if they are more than seven months pregnant without HK hospital’s confirmation Increasing the minimum fee from $9,000 to $39,000 Booking system to ensure local pregnant women have priority to proper obstetric services.

Starting from 1st February, mainland women who are not allowed to enter HK if they are more than seven months pregnant without HK hospital’s confirmation

Increasing the minimum fee from $9,000 to $39,000

Booking system to ensure local pregnant women have priority to proper obstetric services.

Reasons for Reinvestigation Media Bias Ill Research Methodology No Studies on Comparison between mainland and HK pregnant women 1. Introduction

Media Bias

Ill Research Methodology

No Studies on Comparison between mainland and HK pregnant women

2.1 Origins 2. Background The mainlander baby boom today can be traced back to a case back in 2001 known as the “Chong Fung –Yuen case”. 2.2 Motives Behind Dodge of the family-planning policy in mainland The automatic permanent residence status of the baby

The mainlander baby boom today can be traced back to a case back in 2001 known as the “Chong Fung –Yuen case”.

Dodge of the family-planning policy in mainland

The automatic permanent residence status of the baby

2. Background Positive Stimulating the growth of medical revenue. Increase birth rate Negative Short-term: Occupation of the public medical resources Risks of hospitals Financial pressures Long-term: share the public welfare resources cannot help solve the low birth-rate fundamentally We challenge some of these conclusions because they are ill in logic. 2.3 Impacts & Population Opinions

Positive

Stimulating the growth of medical revenue.

Increase birth rate

Negative

Short-term:

Occupation of the public medical resources

Risks of hospitals

Financial pressures

Long-term:

share the public welfare resources

cannot help solve the low birth-rate fundamentally

We challenge some of these conclusions because they are ill in logic.

2.4 Research Questions Five Aspects Reasons Attitude Impacts Choices Solutions 2. Background

2.4 Research Questions

Five Aspects

Reasons

Attitude

Impacts

Choices

Solutions

3. Research Method data was collected using survey questionnaire (two types) * To make a comparison between mainland and HK pregnant women, two types of questionnaires were designed in advance. One is both for group2 and group3, while the other is for group1 Target categories of people come from mainland now in mainland some are determined to give birth in the mainland while others don't exclude the possibility of giving birth in HK Mainland pregnant women outside HK Group 3 come from mainland now in HK decide to give birth in HK Mainland pregnant women in HK Group 2 HK residents HK pregnant women Group 1 Characteristics Subjects Group Name

Target categories of people

come from mainland

now in mainland

some are determined to give birth in the mainland while others don't exclude the possibility of giving birth in HK

come from mainland

now in HK

decide to give birth in HK

HK residents

Survey Methods: mainly in face to face online survey as supplement online Face to face 3. Research Method

Survey Methods:

mainly in face to face

online survey as supplement

Research Time: 27,Jan,2007—21,April,2007 Sample Structure: Total :107 subjects Available :104 subjects 3. Research Method 41 / 39.42% Mainland pregnant women outside HK Group 3 22 / 21.16% Mainland pregnant women in HK Group 2 41 / 39.42% HK pregnant women Group 1 Number / Proportion Subjects Group Name

Research Time: 27,Jan,2007—21,April,2007

Sample Structure:

Guangdong Province 廣州市廣州郵電醫院婦產科處（ 3 月 21 日） 廣州市中山大學附屬第三醫院婦產科處（ 3 月 22 日） 深圳市第二人民醫院（ 3 月 25 日） 深圳市仁愛醫院（ 3 月 26 日） 中山市第一人民醫院（ 3 月 19 日） accidental sampling in street snowball sampling Hong Kong 香港浸會醫院（ 3 月 16 日、 3 月 20 日） 香港威爾斯親王醫院（ 3 月 30 日、 4 月 2 日） 香港大學瑪麗醫院（ 4 月 10 日） 香港旺角多處私人婦科診所（ 4 月 1 日） 香港 baby 親子雜誌的母嬰知識系列講座 ( 3 月 17 日） 香港保護本地孕婦權益組織 accidental sampling in street snowball sampling 3. Research Method Channels of Survey

Guangdong Province

廣州市廣州郵電醫院婦產科處（ 3 月 21 日）

廣州市中山大學附屬第三醫院婦產科處（ 3 月 22 日）

深圳市第二人民醫院（ 3 月 25 日）

深圳市仁愛醫院（ 3 月 26 日）

中山市第一人民醫院（ 3 月 19 日）

accidental sampling in street

snowball sampling

Hong Kong

香港浸會醫院（ 3 月 16 日、 3 月 20 日）

香港威爾斯親王醫院（ 3 月 30 日、 4 月 2 日）

香港大學瑪麗醫院（ 4 月 10 日）

香港旺角多處私人婦科診所（ 4 月 1 日）

香港 baby 親子雜誌的母嬰知識系列講座 ( 3 月 17 日）

香港保護本地孕婦權益組織

accidental sampling in street

snowball sampling

Channels of Survey

Hong Kong Baptist Hospital 3. Research Method

3. Research Method Preliminary Investigation 1st Round: Pilot study (content validity) Feedbacks: Some questions using the term coined by media tend to be confusing. For pregnant women, the questionnaire is too long to finish. Some expression is not consistent with what HK people use. Some questions involve researcher bias. 2nd Round: Neither confusing problems nor questionnaire length control failure occurred

Preliminary Investigation

1st Round: Pilot study (content validity)

Feedbacks:

Some questions using the term coined by media tend to be confusing.

For pregnant women, the questionnaire is too long to finish.

Some expression is not consistent with what HK people use.

Some questions involve researcher bias.

2nd Round:

Neither confusing problems nor questionnaire length control failure occurred

Part One (Frequency Analysis) Reasons Attitudes Impacts Choices Solutions Part Two Correlation Cross-tabulation Analysis Income Relatives Pregnant Time VS Possibility of Giving birth in HK After Born Problem VS Choices 4. Data Analysis Prince of Wales Hospital

Part One

(Frequency Analysis)

Part Two

Correlation

Cross-tabulation

Analysis

4.1 Reasons Question 1 Question 2 Part One

Question 1

Question 2

4.1 Reasons Question 3 Question 4 Part One

Question 3

Question 4

4.1 Reasons Question 5 Question 6 4.2 Attitudes Part One

Question 5

Question 6

4.2 Attitudes Question 8 Question 7 Part One

Question 8

Question 7

4.2 Attitudes Question 10 Question 9 4.3 Impacts Part One

Question 10

Question 9

4.3 Impacts Question 11 Part One

Question 11

4.3 Impacts Question 12 Part One

Question 12

4.3 Impacts Question 13 Part One

Question 13

4.4 Choices Question 14 Question 15 Part One

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16 4.4 Choices Part One

Question 16

4.5 Solutions Question 17 Part One

Question 17

Question 18 4.5 Solutions Part One

Question 18

Question 19 4.5 Solutions Part One

Question 19

Question 20 4.5 Solutions Part One

Question 20

4.6 Family Income VS the possibility of giving birth in Hong Kong Part Two Part Two

4.7 Having Relatives VS the possibility of giving birth in Hong Kong Part Two

4.8 Pregnant Time VS the possibility of giving birth in Hong Kong Part Two

4.9 After Born Problems VS Choices Part Two

5.5 New Policies and Solutions 5.2 Attitude toward Mainland Pregnant Women Influx 5.3 Impacts of Mainland Pregnant Women Influx 5.4 Choices of the Mainlander Pregnant Women 5.1 Reasons behind the HK mainlander baby boom 5. Findings

5. Findings The biggest attraction to give birth in HK is the permanent residency status and advanced medical service rather than dodging “one-family-one-child” policy. Travel and service agencies for mainland pregnant women to give birth in HK are not playing a big role in the subject matter. 5.1 Reasons 5.2 Attitude Most HK pregnant women are against the mainland mothers flooding into HK. The overwhelming majority of mainland pregnant women are either in favor of it or taking a neutral stand. Majority of the respondents from all the three parties think this phenomenon is going to last for a long time.

The biggest attraction to give birth in HK is the permanent residency status and advanced medical service rather than dodging “one-family-one-child” policy.

Travel and service agencies for mainland pregnant women to give birth in HK are not playing a big role in the subject matter.

Most HK pregnant women are against the mainland mothers

flooding into HK.

The overwhelming majority of mainland pregnant women are either

in favor of it or taking a neutral stand.

Majority of the respondents from all the three parties think this

phenomenon is going to last for a long time.

5. Findings Many local pregnant women think that the local media should have given more reports covering the rights and situations of mainland pregnant women during their stay in HK. 5.3 Impacts Most respondents from all three parties agree that the mainlander baby boom in HK damages the rights of local pregnant women. The biggest complaint from local mothers is that many mainland pregnant come to HK hospitals without pre-delivery checkup which increases the risk of hospitals. Many HK women believe it can increase birth rate or buffer HK’s population aging problem, while mainland not.

Many local pregnant women think that the local media should have given more reports covering the rights and situations of mainland pregnant women during their stay in HK.

Most respondents from all three parties agree

that the mainlander baby boom in HK damages

the rights of local pregnant women.

The biggest complaint from local mothers is that

many mainland pregnant come to HK hospitals

without pre-delivery checkup which increases the risk of hospitals.

Many HK women believe it can increase birth rate or buffer

HK’s population aging problem, while mainland not.

5. Findings 5.4 Choices The appeal for mainland mothers to give birth in Hong Kong is still very strong though new measure issued by HK government. Majority of mainland pregnant women will take the children back to mainland and then come back to HK for education. 5.5 New Policies and Solutions Hong Kong pregnant women’s feedback toward this new policy is quite positive. Most mainland pregnant women believe that booking ahead for a hospital within 7 months of pregnancy is effective but raising the obstetric package charges not so forceful.

The appeal for mainland mothers to give birth in Hong Kong is still very strong though

new measure issued by HK government.

Majority of mainland pregnant women will

take the children back to mainland and then

come back to HK for education.

Hong Kong pregnant women’s feedback toward

this new policy is quite positive.

Most mainland pregnant women believe that

booking ahead for a hospital within 7 months

of pregnancy is effective but raising the obstetric package charges not so forceful.

5. Findings Most HK pregnant women expect the government to modify Article 24 of the Basic Law Expect that the mainland central government cooperates with the HK government to resolve the problem joint-handedly.

Most HK pregnant women expect the government to modify Article 24 of the Basic Law

Expect that the mainland central government cooperates with the HK government to resolve the problem joint-handedly.

6. Limitations Sample size D rawback of face-to-face research Sampling m eth od

6.1 Sample Size is Small Target size: 60 Actual size:107 Reasons: 6-8 weeks to get the Hospital’s permission Sensitivity of the subject 6.2 Sample Method Non-probability Sampling Not representative enough Lack in equal chance of being selected Interviewer’s bias may exist

Reasons:

6-8 weeks to get the Hospital’s permission

Sensitivity of the subject

Non-probability Sampling

Not representative enough

Lack in equal chance of being selected

Interviewer’s bias may exist

6.3 Drawback of face to face research Questions like: “whether this is your first child to be born” “your child born here will stay in HK or go back to the mainland” Sensitive may not reflect their real opinions in front of strangers.

7.1 Current Situation of the Issue 7. Current Situation and Future Development Since the new policy has been launched from February 2007, the number of mainland pregnant women influx decreased by 32%, comparing to the same time of last year. Most of them have made appointment with hospitals. It seems that the new policies are effective in controlling the number of mainland pregnant women coming to give birth in HK. ----the director of Health, Welfare and Food Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Specail Adiministrative Region

7.1 Current Situation of the Issue

Since the new policy has been launched from February 2007, the number of mainland pregnant women influx decreased by 32%, comparing to the same time of last year.

Most of them have made appointment with hospitals.

It seems that the new policies are effective in controlling the number of mainland pregnant women coming to give birth in HK.

7.2 Mainlander Baby Boom – to Control or to Stop? HK will focus on the management and control rather than blocking them from coming . From our survey and research, we think the two new policies issued by the HKSAR government are rather wise solutions to this problem. Increasing charges successfully guarantees the income of hospitals despite the decrease in the number of pregnant women from the mainland. 7. Current Situation and Future Development

7.2 Mainlander Baby Boom – to Control or to Stop?

HK will focus on the management and control rather than blocking them from coming .

From our survey and research, we think the two new policies issued by the HKSAR government are rather wise solutions to this problem.

Increasing charges successfully guarantees the income of hospitals despite the decrease in the number of pregnant women from the mainland.

7. Current Situation and Future Development 7.3 Rise of new issue with the subject matter

The issue is becoming more complicated. HK government needs to revise its polices on the subject matter from time to time to cope with the rise of new problems and new trends. With the deepening of relationship in various aspects between HK and the mainland, the mainlander baby boom is not only a demographic issue, it is inevitably going to be an economic, political and a cultural issue too. How the HK government tackles and will tackle with it, we believe, will finally have a profound influence on various aspects of the HK society. 7.3 Rise of new issue with the subject matter 7. Current Situation and Future Development

The issue is becoming more complicated.

HK government needs to revise its polices on the subject matter from time to time to cope with the rise of new problems and new trends.

With the deepening of relationship in various aspects between HK and the mainland, the mainlander baby boom is not only a demographic issue, it is inevitably going to be an economic, political and a cultural issue too.

How the HK government tackles and will tackle with it, we believe, will finally have a profound influence on various aspects of the HK society.

Thank you