On the other hand, in its Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, the International Labour Organization defined indigenous peoples as those people who were descended from the populations which had inhabited the country, or a geographical region to which the country belonged, at the time of conquest or colonization or the establishment of State boundaries and who, irrespective of their legal status, retained some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions.

In the context of Small House Policy, an "indigenous villager" means a male person at least 18 years old who is descended through the male line from a resident in 1898 of a recognized village.

304. In the context of succession of land properties in the New Territories, rent concessions, Small House Policy and rural elections, an "indigenous inhabitant" means a person who was in 1898 a resident of an established village in Hong Kong or who is descended through the male line from that person.