Information on the present situation and treatment of the Hakka in India could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, the following information pertains more generally to the Chinese in India and may be of interest.

In January 2004, Rediff reported in an article on Chinese New Year celebrations in India that there were about 120 Chinese families in Bangalore, and about 400 in Mumbai (23 Jan. 2004). The Chinese communities were said to be organizing festivities around the New Year, though "[t]he pageantry once associated with New Year celebrations ... in India, particularly in Kolkata's China Town, no longer exists" (Rediff 23 Jan. 2004). According to the Kolkata-based Indian Chinese Association for Culture, Welfare and Development, there were about 4,500 Chinese living in India in 2000, down from 9,000 in 1981 (n.d.). Kolkata is reportedly home to the largest number of Chinese in India, though that number is "fast shrinking" as the Chinese continue to emigrate (The Asian Age 25 Jun 2003).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

The Asian Age [New Delhi]. 25 June 2003. Krittivas Mukherjee. "Indian Soldiers Get Lessons in Mandarin." (Dialog)

Indian Chinese Association for Culture, Welfare and Development. n.d. "Approximate Population of Chinese in India Over a Period of 220 Years." http://www.indianchinese.org/images/articles/indianchinese/chinesepopulation.gif [Accessed 31 May 2005]

Rediff.com. 23 January 2004. Savera R. Someshwar. "Happy Indian Chinese New Year." http://specials.rediff.com/news/2004/jan/23speca.htm [Accessed 31 May 2005]

Four oral sources did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: Beijing Review, China Internet Information Center, The Economist, HuayiNet, Hindustan Times, Journal of Overseas Chinese, Minority Rights Group International, Relief Web, Times of India, Toronto Hakka Conference, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, United States Department of State.