A total of 5,182 applicants and 9,945 of their dependants have been allowed entry to Hong Kong under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme from its introduction in October 2003 to September this year.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told legislators today 843 applicants were foreign nationals and 3,904 were Chinese nationals with overseas permanent residence.

More than $36.6 billion has been brought to Hong Kong under the scheme in six permissible investment categories. Equities have taken up the largest portion which amounts to $17.6468 billion, followed by real estate with $10.3725 billion. The least amount is in subordinated debt which accounts for $1.5 million.