Construct Homes Between Countries

Hong Kong is an international city with a high degree of globalization. Currently, there are many international refugees who are mostly from south Asia and Africa living in Hong Kong. During the period of applying refugee identity, they cannot leave Hong Kong. And this period can be endless. Therefore, many refugees have stayed in Hong Kong for several years even more than 10 years. Refugees from different countries have their own settlement area and group interactive way. Moreover, their adaptations to Hong Kong culture and lifestyle are different.Because Hong Kong didn’t join the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1951, Hong Kong government doesn’t have the obligation to help these refugees directly. These refugees can acquire claims for non-repatriation from 3 ways:they can appeal to Hong Kong Immigration Department based on The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel; or appeal to UNHCR Hong Kong for inhuman treatment based on Hong Kong Human Right Law; or appeal to UNHCR Hong Kong for refugee torture based on Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. However, these cannot assure that they would not be repatriated and stay in Hong Kong. Moreover, the limited land and resource in Hong Kong aggravate their conflict with Hong Kong society.They have three main settlement areas in Hong Kong:Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui, Wong Chuk Street in Sham Shui Po and Wang Toi Shan in Yuen Long. Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui is a place which constructs the representation of Hong Kong foreign minorities, including all possible identities and characters of foreign people in Hong Kong. There are South Asian refugees and African refugees here. "True refugees" stay in their rooms every day. "Fake refugees" work hard every day. North African refugees are different from them and live in the street. Their lives are influenced by this area so deeply to be a part of the giant stage. Refugees living in Wong Chuk Street are almost from South Asian countries. They gather around here to "work illegally" based on the opportunities applied by clothes street in Sham Shui Po. They all have applied for the living and food subsidy monthly from International Social Service in Hong Kong. Refugees living in Yuen Long are mostly from Africa and many of them have got married with Hong Kong people. Some have obtained Hong Kong Identity Card and can have formal jobs or enjoy other convenience for their business. After having permanent identity in Hong Kong, they will enjoy a better life in this new home.This research focus on how do they live in Hong Kong as refugees and foreign minorities, how do they treat their homeland, how do they treat their identity and adapt to Hong Kong and how do they treat Hong Kong as a new home especially for those who have already married with Hong Kong people.