The Immigration Department has received 4,372 applications for Chinese naturalisation since the Handover, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says. He told lawmakers today the department has completed processing 3,999 applications and 3,786 of them, or 95%, were approved.

The largest single category of applicants were Indonesians (1,735), followed by Pakistanis (833), Indians (552) and Vietnamese (547). These nationalities also comprised the bulk of approved applicants.

Each application will consider:

* whether the applicant has a near relative who is Chinese with the right of abode in Hong Kong;

* whether the applicant has the right of abode;

* whether the applicant's habitual residence is in Hong Kong;

* whether the principal members of the applicant's family are in Hong Kong;

* whether the applicant has a reasonable income to support them and their family;

* whether the applicant has paid taxes;

* whether the applicant is of good character and sound mind;

* whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of Chinese language;

* whether the applicant intends to continue to live in Hong Kong; and,

* whether there are other legitimate reasons to support the application.