Asia-Pacific News

Pakistani migrants caught in Hong Kong after sea journey from China

Nov 29, 2009, 6:36 GMT

   Hong Kong - Eight undocumented migrants from Pakistan were Sunday arrested on one of Hong Kong's outlying islands after being smuggled into the territory by boat from China.

   A Chinese man believed to be responsible for bringing the men to Hong Kong was also arrested as he tried to get away in a speed boat.

   Hong Kong has seen a surge in refugees from southern Asia after a High Court ruling earlier this year allowed them to work in the wealthy city while their cases were considered.

   The number of non-Chinese undocumented immigrants arrested in Hong Kong jumped from around 40 people a month to more than 150 a month in the wake of the ruling.

The influx was largely halted by new legislation reversing the High Court ruling which was introduced in November and followed by a roundup of undocumented migrants across the territory.

   A marine police spokesman said Sunday's case was the first involving South Asian refugees since the new legislation.

   There are currently more than 5,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong, which in the 1980s and 1990s was the temporary home for thousands of Vietnamese boat people.



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Asia-Pacific

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Charlize Theron wants to go into space

Charlize Theron wants to go into space
Charlize Theron has admitted she would love to go into space - but thinks it would be very expensive ... more

Cheryl Cole: Personal life is 'right'

Cheryl Cole: Personal life is right
Chderyl Cole wants to have lots of children but thinks she is right to wait to start a family. ... more

Peter Andre ready to move on

Peter Andre ready to move on
Peter Andre is finally ready to move on from ex-wife Katie Price and wonders if he has already met the person he is 'supposed' to marry. ... more

Prince William's tribute to role model Queen

Prince Williams tribute to role model Queen
Britain's Prince William has paid tribute to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth for being an 'incredible role model'. ... more

Mariah Carey's sister wants reconciliation

Mariah Careys sister wants reconciliation
Mariah Carey's estranged sister Alison is desperate to mend her rift with the singer and meet the star's twins Moroccan and Monroe for the first time. ... more

Robin Gibb had kidney failure

Robin Gibb had kidney failure
Robin Gibb's son RJ says the Bee Gees singer's death was caused by kidney and liver failure, ... more

Matthew Morrison's sexy meals

Matthew Morrisons sexy meals
Matthew Morrison thinks cooking is 'sexy' and loves sharing candlelit dinners with his girlfriend Renee Puente. ... more

Apl.de.Ap praises 'beautiful' Cheryl

Apl.de.Ap praises beautiful Cheryl
Black Eyed Peas star Apl.de.Ap thinks Cheryl Cole is a 'beautiful' woman. ... more

Queen Elizabeth loves to laugh with her grandkids

Queen Elizabeth loves to laugh with her grandkids
Britain's Queen Elizabeth loves to share a laugh with her grandchildren and find out about their lives outside of their royal duties. ... more

David Hasselhoff to buy bar for Hayley

David Hasselhoff to buy bar for Hayley
David Hasselhoff wants to buy his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts a bar which he will call the Hoff & Hounds. ... more