A Hong Kong couple involved in a long-running custody battle with Swedish authorities are facing a new challenge involving their newborn son.
The couple, identified by the surnames Tsang and Kwan, have spent the past two years trying to regain custody of their daughter Lily. The four-year-old remains in foster care in Sweden after being taken into care by social services in late 2023.
Lily was born at home in Finland and does not have a birth certificate. Her parents claim Finnish authorities never registered her birth. After the couple relocated to Sweden, Swedish authorities removed the child from their care, citing concerns about her welfare.
The parents deny the allegations. They argue that Lily should be returned to Hong Kong and point to a 2024 immigration ruling that they say supported her return.
The case has now expanded to include the couple’s newborn son, Danny. He was born at home in Hong Kong earlier this year.
The parents applied for a birth certificate. However, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department requested a DNA test to confirm the child’s identity. The couple refused, saying DNA is sensitive personal information and that their religious beliefs prevent them from agreeing to the test.
As a result, Danny has not yet received official identity documents.
Hong Kong authorities say extra checks may be required in home-birth cases before a birth can be formally registered.
The lack of documentation has become a key issue for the family. The parents say it is also one of the obstacles preventing them from obtaining travel documents for Lily and bringing her back from Sweden.
Meanwhile, Swedish authorities continue to keep Lily in foster care. Court documents state that officials were concerned about the family’s living conditions and the child’s wellbeing. The parents reject those claims and insist their daughter was properly cared for.
