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While China has acquired Hong Kong after a century and a half of waiting, hundreds of Hong Kong's children are trying to stay in the city. Why does the Chinese government want to force them out? Ian Williams reports.

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JIM LEHRER: Now, Ian Williams of Independent Television News has an update on Hong Kong's transition to Chinese rule.

IAN WILLIAMS, ITN: Two weeks as Hong Kong's leader and Tung Chee-Hwa is already facing a constitutional crisis. Meeting children at a social service center, the image was one of a caring figure, but the reality and the root of his legal problems is that not all Hong Kong's children are welcome here.

These are the unlucky ones. Hundreds of children have been queuing to apply for legal aid to fight attempts by Mr. Tung's government to throw them out of Hong Kong. Most have Hong Kong fathers and Mainland Chinese mothers and were born in China. They're among thousands who've been staying here illegally since under the British only children born in Hong Kong have the right of abode.

But the basic law, Hong Kong's new mini-constitution, gives that right to any child of a Hong Kong resident, irrespective of where they were born. And it's attempts by Mr. Tung's government to qualify that right which is causing outrage in the legal community, with nearly 100 lawyers offering their services for free.

AUDREY EU YUET-MEE, Chair, Hong Kong Bar Association: I think the reason why so many lawyers have taken up the call, so to speak, and offered their services shows that they regard this as an issue which is fundamental to the rule in Hong Kong.

IAN WILLIAMS: Eight-year-old Law Sai-Kim has already been served with deportation papers and is one of those making a desperate bid to stay. In 1988, his mainland Chinese mother had been on her way to the British colony to give birth to Law Sai-Kim when fate intervened. She made it only to the border, where she went into labor and had her baby on a bridge 15 feet from Hong Kong, from her husband, and from the right of abode for her son.

His brother and sister were born in Hong Kong and do have residency, and their mother was given the right to join her Hong Kong husband, but Sai-Kim has been refused and was smuggled her to join the family. Mrs. Law believes that what fate deprived of eight years ago the basic law would deliver after July 1st. Now, she's angry and distraught at the impending breakup of the family.

LAW YAU SHUK-CHING: (speaking through interpreter) It would be very hard for me to sleep or eat if my son went back to China. I wouldn't know what he was doing because I couldn't see him. On the other hand, there'd be nobody to take care of my other children if I go back with him. It's difficult either way. I have no way out.

IAN WILLIAMS: The controversial law was rushed through by the new China-appointed legislature, which says the influx of an estimated 66,000 children from China must be regulated. The amendment requires them to prove their right of abode with a special permit issued in China and legislators say those here illegally must go back and join the queue.

TUNG CHEE HWA, Chief Executive, Hong Kong: (speaking through interpreter) All we want to do is to ensure they come to Hong Kong in an orderly manner. This will be good for them and for Hong Kong, since we have to consider the burden on health, housing, and education.

IAN WILLIAMS: For those faced with the breakup of their families, Mr. Tung's orderly queue looks more like another obstacle. Mrs. Law has already spent more than 2,000 pounds on bribes to Chinese officials, and regards another permit as yet one more money spinner for the bureaucrats in China.

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