Christep,
I was resident in Hong Kong for 10 years. I was given a 'Hong Kong Identity Card'. It was not a 'Permanent Identity Card' as that is ONLY given to persons of Chinese race. I was told this by an official when I got my I.D. card, so I am not just shooting my mouth off - which you appear to be doing.
mrben,
The Permanent I.D. card means that you have the right of abode in Hong Kong and if you were to comit a deportable crime you would not be deported out of Hong Kong, which you would be with the I.D. card aquired after 7 years of residence. You also can vote in 'local elections' (for what they are worth) with a Permanent I.D. card, but not with the 'Hong Kong Identity Card'. I was not able to vote in the local elections (in 1997?), despite being strongly canvassed at the time.