WHAT IS IDENTITY?
Identity refers to the role of an individual in a certain group (such as family and school). Different identities will be developed in different groups. Some of these identities, specifically known as ascribed status, are inherit, such as race, sex and so on. They are more stable and will not change easily. Some identities, known as achieved status, are acquired during life, such as student, member of a football team, president of an owners’ corporation and so on. They will change continuously in accordance with different environments and periods of time. When people look for common characteristics shared by themselves and the group, a sense on identity towards that group will be developed and they will view themselves as part of the group, developing a sense of belonging. Different rights and responsibilities are attached to different identities.
Multiplicity of identities of Hong Kong residents
Hong Kong residents possess multiple identities. They include permanent residents and non-permanent residents, and permanent residents include Chinese citizens and those who are not of Chinese nationality. Under the tide of globalization, Hong Kong residents have to deal with different international issues and therefore also possess the identity of global citizens.
Local residents
Residents are the people who reside in a certain place; all people residing in Hong Kong are regarded as Hong Kong residents. Hong Kong residents include permanent residents and non-permanent residents.
Permanent residents
- have the right of abode in the HKSAR and are qualified to obtain permanent identity cards which state their right of abode
ØChinese citizens in Hong Kong
ØChinese citizens who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years
ØPersons of Chinese nationality born of Hong Kong residents outside Hong Kong
ØPersons not of Chinese nationality who have entered Hong Kong with valid travel documents, have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years and have taken Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence, and their children under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong
ØPersons, who, before the establishment of HKSAR, had the right of abode in Hong Kong only
Non-permanent residents
- Are qualified to obtain Hong Kong identity cards but have no right of abode
National citizens
National citizens are persons holding nationality of a certain nation, with associated rights and responsibilities according to the laws of that nation. According to the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, any person born in China whose parents are stateless or of uncertain nationality and have settled in China shall have Chinese nationality. Also, any person born in China or abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals or one of whose parents is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality.
Global citizens
Global citizens are the people whose life, work and entertainment are neither constrained by national boundaries nor norms of sovereignty. Some non-governmental organizations, such as Oxfam and Medecins Sans Frontieres, believe that global citizens should have the following qualities:
1. Knowledge
- Understand the interdependence of all countries in the world
- Learn about the relationships between global development and local issues
- Ascertain the causes of poverty and social injustice
