1990 April 4: Basic Law promulgated, including Article 24(3) granting right of abode to children of permanent residents, and Article 158 giving power of interpretation to NPC, but allowing SAR courts to interpret law in adjudicating cases within Hong Kong's autonomy.
1997 July 8: Legal action on behalf of overstayer Chow Ka-yi, nine, for permission to remain.
July 9: Provisional legislature rushes through laws requiring children to obtain Certificates of Entitlement outside Hong Kong before immigrating; laws made retroactive to July 1.
October 9: Court of First Instance rules children must get Certificate of Entitlement before coming to Hong Kong; illegitimate children of permanent residents have right of abode, upholds retroactive nature of law.
November 12: Four cases settled out of court after Government offers unconditional stay if legal action ends.
November 14: Children whose parents became permanent residents after their birth launch action in High Court demanding right of abode.
