In 2008, the High Court in South Africa ruled that Chinese South Africans who were residents during the apartheid era (and their descendants) are to be reclassified as "Black people," solely for the purposes of accessing affirmative action benefits, because <answer>they were also "disadvantaged" by racial discrimination.</answer> Chinese people who arrived in the country after the end of apartheid do not qualify for such benefits.
Why did some Chinese citizens qualify for benefits? 
they were also "disadvantaged" by racial discrimination.