Three mainland Chinese women who gave birth in Hong Kong have each been sentenced to 12 months in jail for overstaying in the city, authorities said Friday, as part of measures to discourage birth tourism.
The women -- who separately entered the territory as visitors in May, June and July 2013 -- were each arrested late last year after rushing to hospitals for delivery without a booking, a government statement said.
"The Immigration Department is concerned about the situation of overstaying mainland pregnant women seeking to give birth in Hong Kong," said the statement, citing an immigration department spokesman.
"Great efforts are made to strengthen the examination of mainland pregnant women at the control points," the spokesman added.
The southern city of seven million people has been struggling to cope with tens of thousands of mainland Chinese women who arrive yearly to give birth, thereby gaining residency rights for their children.
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