01.01.70

HONG KONG — Having a infant in the "Year of the Dragon" is a dream come true for many ethnic Chinese who see the zodiac as an auspicious and resilient portent. But for some Hong Kong mothers, it's a nightmare.

Tens of thousands of productive mainlanders come to Hong Kong to give birth every year, winsome up limited beds in maternity wards and pushing up delivery costs.

The obstreperous is expected to peak in the Year of the Dragon, which comes every 12 years in Chinese astrology and as a rule results in a baby boom.

"We didn't plan for a Dragon baby," says 38-year-old Michele Lee, who is in a family way her second child, a girl, in April.

"It was exciting when we first found out the news but very before long that excitement turned into worry about whether we'll get a place in hospital."

Hong Kong women have recently captivated to the streets in protest over the influx of mainland Chinese mothers to the semi-autonomous former British colony.

Having their babies in the glitzy -- and extent free -- southern city entitles the child to rights of domicile and education, while providing a loophole the size of Victoria Harbour to China's one-toddler policy.

Source: AFP

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