Lawmakers discuss rights protection of overseas Chinese

China's State Council has proposed to draft national legislation on the protection of the rights and interests of overseas Chinese in its report submitted to the country's top legislature for review.

Since 2015, 10 provincial-level regions across China, including Guangdong, Fujian, Shanghai and Hubei have introduced regulations on the protection of overseas Chinese who come back to the country, gaining practical experience in promoting national legislation and paving the way to draft a national law in this regard, according to the State Council's report on Chinese nationals overseas.

The report is being discussed at the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress from Monday to Wednesday.

Countries around the world, including Russia, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India have advanced legislation for their overseas nationals, which in turn has played a positive role in promoting these countries' economic and social development, overseas talent attraction and the inheritance of national culture. These international practices have provided a useful reference for China to better protect overseas Chinese through legislation, according to the report.

There are currently more than 60 million Chinese residing in nearly 200 countries and regions.

The number of Chinese people who go overseas to study or invest in businesses has continued to increase. Also, the socioeconomic status of overseas Chinese has become higher in the countries of residence, according to the report.

Meanwhile, they also wish that more measures can be introduced to make it more convenient for them to return to the country and enjoy the benefits of China's development, it added.

In the future, China needs to provide better public services for overseas Chinese and their family members who come back to the country to stay or work. Furthermore, more conveniences will be given to overseas Chinese to help them invest in local businesses, the report said.