Hong Kong hospitals will limit maternity services to women arriving from mainland China to give birth from next year, under new proposals from its incoming chief executive, BBC News reported.

While the proposal would only apply to public hospitals, private hospitals have also agreed to follow suit.

Increasing "birth tourism" from the mainland has caused tensions.

Some in China have sought to give birth in Hong Kong to ensure that their children receive Hong Kong citizenship.

The "zero quota" proposals were made by Chief-Executive-Elect CY Leung, who takes office on 1 July.

Under the proposals, pregnant women from mainland China will not be eligible for obstetrics services from next year, unless their husband is from Hong Kong.

Furthermore, children born to mainland parents will not be guaranteed residency unless one of their parents is a Hong Kong resident.

The new proposals are likely to be popular in Hong Kong, whose residents have said that "birth tourism" from mainland China has strained resources and put lives at risk.

Hong Kong has seen a surge in anti-China sentiment in recent months, due to resentment over "birth tourism" and claims that tourists from mainland China get preferential treatment.