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LCQ7: Applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals
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     Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Albert Ho Chun-yan in the Legislative Council today (May 26):

Question:

     I have received a case of request for assistance. The person involved in the case was born outside Hong Kong, entered Hong Kong illegally and has since resided here for over 20 years. During this period, he never left Hong Kong and was issued a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. Besides, all his younger siblings are Hong Kong permanent residents who were born in Hong Kong.  Last year, he applied to the Immigration Department (ImmD) for naturalisation as a Chinese national, but his application was rejected by ImmD. In accordance with Article 7 of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, foreign nationals or stateless persons who are willing to abide by China's Constitution and laws and who are near relatives of Chinese nationals, have settled in China or have other legitimate reasons may be naturalised upon approval of their applications. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the respective number of applications for naturalisation as a Chinese national received by ImmD in each of the past five years and, among them, the respective numbers of those which were approved and rejected;

(b) of the reasons based on which ImmD may reject naturalisation applications; and

(c) whether ImmD knows the respective number of stateless persons in Hong Kong in each of the past five years?

Reply:

President,

(a) The Immigration Department (ImmD) received a total of 7,962 applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals between 2005 and 2009. The application figures of respective years and the statistics on application results for the corresponding period are set out below:

       Received    Approved    Refused    Withdrawn
                                             (Note)
2005     1, 719       1, 354        47          8
2006     1, 840       1, 787         6         26
2007     1, 567       1, 538        38         23
2008     1, 541       1, 237       239          9
2009     1, 295          955       222         13
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Total    7 ,962       6, 871       552         79

Note: Applications withdrawn or applicants did not provide sufficient information for further processing of their cases.

(b) ImmD handles naturalisation applications submitted in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China and the "Explanations of some questions by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress concerning the implementation of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR". Each application will normally be considered by ImmD having regard to whether the applicant has a near relative who is a Chinese national having the right of abode in Hong Kong; whether the applicant has the right of abode in Hong Kong; whether the applicant's habitual residence is Hong Kong; whether the principal members of the applicant's family (spouse and minor children) are in Hong Kong; whether the applicant has a reasonable income to support himself and his family; whether the applicant has paid taxes in accordance with the law; whether the applicant is of good character and sound mind; whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the Chinese language; whether the applicant intends to continue to live in Hong Kong in case his application is approved, etc. ImmD takes into account all relevant factors in deciding whether to approve an application.

(c) ImmD does not have statistics on stateless persons in Hong Kong.

Ends/Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:26

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