South Asians in Hong Kong

South Asians in Hong Kong

Total population
20,444 Indians; 15,950 Nepalis; 11,111 Pakistanis
Regions with significant populations
Hong Kong, Kowloon
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Sindhi, Punjabi, Nepali, Cantonese
Religion
Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism
Related ethnic groups
Overseas Pakistani, Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Desi
Footnotes
The numbers of Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans were not individually broken out in the 2006 By-Census Thematic Report on Ethnic Minorities, from which the above statistics originate. The total population of "Other Asians", which may include members of those two groups, was 7,851.

An anti-discrimination poster in Admiralty MTR station illustrates a few targeted South Asian cultures.

Hong Kong has a long-established South Asian population. As of the 2006 by-census, there were at least 44,744 persons of South Asian descent in Hong Kong.^[1] Many trace their roots in Hong Kong as far back as when most of the Indian subcontinent was still under British colonial rule, and as a legacy of the British Empire, their nationality issues remain largely unsettled. However, recently an increasing number of them have acquired Chinese nationality.

History

South Asians were in Hong Kong since 1841. Sikhs soldiers participated at the flag raising ceremony at Possession Point, Hong Kong in 1841 when the Captain Elliot declared Hong Kong a British possession. Sikhs, Parsis and other South Asians made many contributions to the well-being of Hong Kong. The earliest policemen in Hong Kong were Indians (Sikhs) and the present police force still have some few South Asians, as well as Europeans. The top Hong Kong civil servant was once an Indian Mr. Harnam Singh Grewal (a Sikh), whose family history in Hong Kong dates back to late 1800s, was the Secretary for Transport and the Secretary for Civil Service in the 1980s.

Many of Hong Kong's century old institutions have been founded with considerable South Asian participation, as the following examples suggest. The University of Hong Kong was founded on funds partially provided by an Indian Sir H.N. Mody, a close friend of the then governor. The 100-year-old Star Ferry was founded by Dorabji Naorojee. South Asians also founded the Ruttonjee Hospital, Mr. Belilos (a Bagdadi Jew) is one the founders of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Mr. Kadoorie owns the China Light and Power Company. Mr. Harilela (a Sindhi) owns the Holiday Inn Golden Mile while Mr. Chellaram is in Shipowning.

Nationality and right of abode

Despite its participation in treaties for reduction of statelessness, the British government has not dealt with issues of nationality of South Asians in Hong Kong properly. The countries of ancestry have also been criticised as slow in addressing this matter. The difficulty in re-establishing their country of ancestry is multifold: Apart from wars for decolonisation, their places of ancestry have been engaged in numerous conflicts. Some of these people have been subjected to transportation as a punishment or sent to penal colonies, making their genealogy difficult to trace. However, a number of South Asians have managed to be claimed by their countries of ancestry.

On the other hand, other Desi who have taken roots in Hong Kong fall in a different situation. Towards the end of the British administration, some of these South Asians (called 1st generation in this section) have had the status of British National (Overseas) (BNO), but this status ceases to be transmissible beyond a generation after the Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong to China. This means that although their sons and daughters (2nd generation) born after the changeover will have BNO status, their grandchildren (3rd generation) do not, and are faced with the prospect of statelessness.

The UK also subjects these South Asians to immigration control, as in the case of many Hong Kong Chinese residents. As a result, they have right of abode nowhere else in the world, necessitating the inclusion of "Persons ... who, before the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, had the right of abode in Hong Kong only" in the definition of "Hong Kong permanent resident". (Article 24 of the Basic Law of HKSAR of PRC)

The Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China began to apply in the HKSAR when it was established on 1 July 1997, (Article 18 and Annex III, Basic Law of HKSAR) with some explanations of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.^[2] That put the Immigration Department in charge of administering the Nationality Law within the SAR. A number of South Asians applied for Chinese nationality, granted by the Immigration Department on grounds that they have resided in Hong Kong (part of China).

Chinese naturalisation

See also: British nationality law and Hong Kong and Chinese Nationality Law

Demographics and Culture of Hong Kong
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Although China did not agree to grant blanket citizenship to these South Asians, it has empowered Hong Kong's Immigration Department to naturalise persons.

According to the HKSAR press release dated on 18 May 2005, the Immigration Department has received 4,372 applications for Chinese naturalisation since the Handover in 1997. It was said that has completed processing 3,999 applications of them have been processed and 95% of them were approved.

The largest single category of applicants were Indonesians of 1735, followed by 833 Pakistanis, 552 Indians and 547 Vietnamese. The press release stated that these nationalities also comprised a large group of approved applicants.^[3] However, the exact number of these South Asians is not well known as the Immigration Department is not allowed to factor in race, colour, ancestry or previous nationality in naturalisation applications.

Even if these South Asians neither seek naturalisation nor claim UK citizenship (changes in nationality laws of UK since 2002 have allowed BN(O) holders unable to obtain any nationality to claim full UK citizenship), their great-grandchildren (4th generation, see above paragraphs) will be Chinese nationals by birth because they are born of stateless 3rd generations who reside in Hong Kong, part of China (Art. 6, Chinese Nationality Law). (Of course, if a 3rd generation has children with anyone who has a nationality, the situation will be different.)

Demographics

See also: Indians in Hong Kong, Nepalese in Hong Kong, and Pakistanis in Hong Kong

The South Asians of Hong Kong include various subgroups owing to their diverse geographic, linguistic, and religious origins. In colloquial usage in Hong Kong, they are often referred to as "Indians", regardless of their geographic origins. This is because most South Asian communities in Hong Kong date back to before the partition of British India.

Hindus

Hindus from India have long been living in Hong Kong before the Partition of India. There are Hindus from Pakistan as well as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Hinduism is the most followed religion by South Asians in Hong Kong.

Muslims

Pakistani and Indian Muslims have been living in Hong Kong long before the partition of India. They migrated to Hong Kong and worked as police officers as well as army officers during colonial rule. 25,000 of these Muslims trace their roots back to Faisalabad, Pakistan. Half of them belong to 'local boy' families, Muslims of mixed Chinese and South Asian ancestry, descended from early Indian/Pakistani Muslim immigrants who took local Chinese wives and brought their children up as Muslims.^[4][5] These "local Indians" were not completely accepted by either the Chinese or Indian communities.^[6]

Nepalese

Main article: Nepalese in Hong Kong

Nepali people in Hong Kong are mainly the children of ex-Gurkhas born in Hong Kong during their parents' service with the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas, which was based in Hong Kong from the 1970s until the handover. Large groups can be found in Shek Kong, Yuen Long District, Jordan and Yau Ma Tei one of the main bases of the British army. Many ex-Gurkhas remained in Hong Kong after the end of their service under the sponsorship of their Hong Kong-born children, who held right of abode. They often work as security guards for companies such as G4s, CNT, Guardforce, Sunkoshi Gurkha Security Ltd., and Afc.

Sindhis

Further information: Pakistanis in Hong Kong

The Sindhi people in Hong Kong, part of the worldwide Sindhi diaspora originate from the Sindh, an area which now lies in modern-day Pakistan due to the partition of India. Sindhis form the largest group of Indians in Hong Kong, and are predominantly Hindu/Sikh. The Sindhi community in Hong Kong are viewed as the wealthiest among the South Asian communities in Hong Kong, and have historically played an important role in trade, especially in import and export business with Africa and the Middle East.

Sikhs

A Sikh passenger on an MTR train.

A smaller group, numbering about 7500, Sikhs in Hong Kong originate from the Punjab region in India and Pakistan. They adhere to Sikhism, and unlike the Sindhi population, historically held occupations as guards, police officers, watchmen, and soldiers. More recently, they have held occupations as lawyers, doctors and in major financial sectors in Hong Kong. The Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple serves the religious needs of the Sikh community.

Jains

Further information: Indians in Hong Kong

There are about 500 Jains in Hong Kong, who immigrated to Hong Kong later than most other Indian groups. They mostly originate from the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Their community grew rapidly during the 1980s. The Jains are most prominent in the diamond trading business. In 1996, members of the community founded a Jain temple, Shree Hong Kong Jain Sangh.

Parsis

Further information: Indians in Hong Kong

Parsis are descended from a minority in India that traces their ancestry back to Persia (Pars) and they adhere to the Zoroastrian religion. Historically, they were one of the first group of Indians to settle in Hong Kong, prospering as traders, merchants, and opium shippers and as such the group now occupies a secure economic status. The number of Parsis remain relatively small; a 2002 survey counted less than 200 individuals, up from 80-90 individuals in 1952, which has led them to establish stronger ties with the larger Indian community in Hong Kong.

Others

Further information: Indians in Hong Kong

Other Indian groups in Hong Kong include Tamils, Marathi people and South Asian Jews

Languages

The South Asians of Hong Kong are usually multilingual, with many attaining trilingual fluency or more. Most are fluent in both English and a mother tongue (such as Sindhi, Gujarati or Punjabi), and many are fluent in Hindi, and/or Urdu as well. In addition, some may also study Sanskrit, Arabic or (for the Parsis) Avestan for religious reasons. The command of Cantonese is more variable; one 2006 survey of South Asian parents with children attending school in Hong Kong showed that more than 80% were illiterate in Chinese, while 60% could not speak Cantonese at all.^[7]

Notable Hongkongers of South Asian origin

• Gopaldas Holaram Ahuja (Gary Ahuja), Elected district council member (Tsim Sha Tsui East)
• Hari Harilela (1922 - ), Chairman of the Harilela Group
• Vivek Mahbubani, Stand-up Comedian (Cantonese and English) / TV presenter / Musician
• Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody (12 October 1838 - 16 June 1911), Businessman, donated a large sum of money to help establish the University of Hong Kong
• Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala, Founder of Star Ferry
• Gill Mohindepaul Singh (喬寶寶), Actor

See also

• British nationality law and Hong Kong
• Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China
• Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple
• Pakistanis in China

References

1. ^ "Thematic Report: Ethnic Minorities" (PDF). Publications and Products of the 2006 Population By-census (Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong) (xvi). 2007-12-28. http://www.bycensus2006.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_962/06bc_em.pdf. Retrieved 2008-01-23. 
2. ^ Explanations of some questions by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress concerning the implementation of the Nationality Law of the PRC in the HKSAR.Immigration Department.
3. ^ LCQ11: Applications for naturalisation as Chinese nationals
4. ^ Weiss, Anita M. (July 1991). "South Asian Muslims in Hong Kong: Creation of a 'Local Boy' Identity". Modern Asian Studies 25 (3): 417–53. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00013895. 
5. ^ Ina Baghdiantz McCabe, Gelina Harlaftis, Iōanna Pepelasē Minoglou (2005). Diaspora Entrepreneurial Networks: Four Centuries of History. Berg Publishers. p. 256. ISBN 185973880X. 
6. ^ Carol R. Ember, Melvin Ember, Ian A. Skoggard (2004). Encyclopedia of Diasporas: Immigrant and Refugee Cultures Around the World. Springer. p. 511. ISBN 0306483211. 
7. ^ "社工﹕南亞裔家長遇語言問題 學校「你死你賤」缺支援". Ming Pao. 2006-07-24. http://hk.news.yahoo.com/060723/12/1qdo5.html. Retrieved 2006-12-11. ^{[dead link]}

Further reading

• Barbara-Sue White (1994) Turbans and Traders: Hong Kong's Indian Communities, Oxford University Press, Hong Kong.
• Champa Detaramani and Graham Lock (2003). "Multilingualism in Decline: Language Repertoire, Use and Shift in Two Hong Kong Indian Communities". Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development 24 (4): 249–273. doi:10.1080/01434630308666501.  [1]
• Caroline Plüss (2005). "Constructing Globalized Ethnicity: Migrants from India in Hong Kong". International Sociology 20 (2): 201–224. doi:10.1177/0268580905052369.  [2]
• Weiss, Anita M. (July 1991). "South Asian Muslims in Hong Kong: Creation of a 'Local Boy' Identity". Modern Asian Studies 25 (3): 417–453. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00013895. 

External links

• HK marchers demand more English
• 'Top Chinese comedian in Hong Kong is an Indian', by Venkatesan Vembu, Daily News & Analysis, 27 February 2008.
• 'An Indian show-biz star in Hong Kong', by Venkatesan Vembu, Daily News & Analysis, 23 October 2007.