Could be wrong or it might have changed as it's been a number of years, but I don't think this is correct. From simply being married to a Hong Kong Citizen/
PR Holder you get nothing other than a dependant visa. Then after the 7 years of presence/residing in Hong Kong you can apply like anyone else for
PR. You are right that you still wouldn't get the asterisk.
I'm not sure how helpful a dependants visa would be given the current predicament? Every indication seems to be that the gov have indicated preference must be given to those holding
PR?