The issue was discussed at RTHK's City Forum.

A tide of non-permanent residents coming to Hong Kong to give birth has triggered growing concerns with Chief Executive Donald Tsang vowing to stem the flow.

Most of these pregnant women are mainlanders who want their babies to have the right of abode in Hong Kong by virtue of birth.

Several political groups have urged the government to amend the Basic Law provision that grants the right of abode to anyone born here. But the chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff - legislator Joseph Lee - says such an amendment would not solve the problem in the long term.

Mr Lee says the government needs to review a population policy that was intended to address Hong Kong's low birth rate.