Bid To Challenge One-way Permit Quota Rejected

The High Court has thrown out a bid by retired civil servant Kwok Cheuk-kin to have the daily quota for one-way permits cut back.

The one-way permit scheme allows mainlanders to settle in Hong Kong for family reunions, with the permits issued by authorities in the mainland. Some 42,300 people entered Hong Kong last year on one-way permits.

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Kwok, known as the "King of JR" for his frequent legal challenges against the government, said in his application for a judicial review filed last year that the 150-per-day cap should be reduced, in light of drastic population growth in the city, which is “hurting the public”.

But in a brief judgement rejecting Kwok’s bid, the judge said on Friday that it’s for the central government, rather than the SAR government, to decide on the quota.

Justice Anderson Chow added that the courts do not have the power to stipulate, amend or enforce any immigration policies.