Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- Tensions between Hong Kong residents and visitors from mainland China ratcheted up Wednesday , after a full-page advertisement decrying a so-called invasion of `` locusts '' from across the border appeared in a local newspaper . The advertisement in the Apple Daily asks if Hong Kongers approve of spending HK $ 1,000,000 ( US $ 128,925 ) every 18 minutes to take care of children borne by mainland parents and declares that `` Hong Kong people have had enough ! '' Picturing a giant locust perched atop a mountain overlooking Hong Kong , the ad invokes the locally-coined locust label used to describe mainlanders , reflecting a concern among some residents in Hong Kong that mainland Chinese are `` taking over '' the city . A surge in the number of pregnant Chinese women crossing into Hong Kong to give birth has put a growing burden on the resources of local hospitals . According to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department , the number of live births in Hong Kong by mainland mothers went from 26,838 in 2006 to 40,875 in 2010 -- a 52 % increase . On Tuesday , Hong Kong Hospital Authority official said in a radio interview that public hospitals may ban mainland mothers to ensure that local pregnant women can be accommodated . This follows a decision last year by Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health , York Chow , to cap the number of non-local women giving birth in the city in 2012 at 35,000 . In addition to the perception of better medical services , many mainland women choose to give birth in Hong Kong so their children can gain the right of abode and other privileges conferred by a Hong Kong identity card . Of the 41.9 million visitors to Hong Kong in 2011 , the majority -- more than 28 million -- hailed from mainland China , according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board . Wednesday 's advert was organized by internet users , who raised more than US $ 12,000 within a week , according to the South China Morning Post . `` [ Mainlanders ] have already crossed our bottom line , '' organizer Yung Jhon , told the Post . `` Why are mainland mothers flooding in to take up resources in public hospitals , getting our benefits and social welfare ? Why do mainlanders ... refuse to follow our rules and order ? We ca n't accept that . '' The ad comes after a series of incidents in recent weeks that point to a growing resentment among locals , with some critics suggesting this is due to a deeper unease and anxiety over Beijing 's degree of influence in local affairs and Hong Kong 's autonomy within the `` one country , two systems '' that took effect after the city 's handover to Beijing in 1997 . `` The greatest fear Hong Kong people have is Hong Kong becoming just one more city in China , '' Chinese University of Hong Kong anthropologist Gordon Mathews told Time magazine last week . In December , a row between locals and mainland visitors on a city train was caught on video and widely circulated online . The prolonged yelling match , sparked when an local man became incensed by a woman who had disobeyed the no-eating rules and ended up spilling food on seats , led passengers to press the emergency button . Another incident occurred last month outside a Dolce & Gabbana store in Hong Kong when shop staff were accused of discriminating against locals by preventing them from taking pictures , while mainland tourists and other foreigners were reportedly allowed to do so . In China , reaction to the newspaper ad on micro-blogging site Sina Weibo ranged from indignation from sadness . `` If you are independent enough , then do n't use resources from the mainland ! '' wrote a user named lan-tong . @ pqdexiaoxi pointed out that Hong Kongers have provided the mainland with flood disaster relief several times over the past decades . `` I believe many mainlanders are very grateful , but the advertisement hurts our feelings . '' @ bingjilinjiezhi said : `` As parents , we all hope to find better living conditions for our children . Why should that be criticized ? ''
Hong Kong residents fund newspaper ad against influx of pregnant mainland Chinese women . The ads are part of a campaign by the pro-Beijing group People Power to counter what it says is an "invasion" from China into Hong Kong. Recent incidents suggest growing resentment against mainland Chinese , branded `` locusts ''