Press Releases

Statement by SFH

In response to media enquiries on the protest staged by a group of Mainland-Hong Kong family representatives who gatecrashed the venue of a public event and clashed with security guards today (October 21), the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, made the following statement:

I deeply regret over the incident during which petitioners gatecrashed the venue and disrupted the proceedings of the event. Any people expressing their views should be considerate and should not interfere with other peoples' rights, disrupt public order or infringe on public or private property rights.

On the issue of Mainland pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong, the Government has in fact implemented a series of measures to cater for the demand of the parties concerned. The limited capacity of Hong Kong's obstetric services should be used in an optimal way and our policy is to ensure that local pregnant women have priority in using the services.

Staff of the Food and Health Bureau have also met with representatives of the group concerned several times before to listen to their views. I also received their petition letters previously and today. I hope that all stakeholders would adopt a rational, peaceful and lawful manner when expressing their views on the issue of Mainland pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong.



Ends/Friday, October 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:27

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