The HKSAR is vigilant in guarding against the entry of Mainland illegal immigrants. The total daily average arrest figure region-wide for 2002 was 15, a 35 per cent drop compared with 23 in 2001.

    The Government maintains close liaison with the Mainland and overseas governments on matters relating to population movements and irregular migration. Representatives from HKSAR law enforcement agencies participated in an 'Expert Group II on Law Enforcement, Policy and Legislation Planning Meeting' held in Bangkok, Thailand, in June and a 'Workshop on Law Enforcement and Travel Document Fraud' hosted by the Central People's Government in Shenzhen in November. The meeting and workshop were follow-up functions arising from the 'Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime' held at Bali, Indonesia, in February.