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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookBefore 1954 China recognized dual citizenship. In the 1950s, some Southeast Asian countries had concerns that China might export the revolution, and there was anti-overseas Chinese sentiment in some of those countries. In order to avoid provoking ethnic tensions in neighboring countries, China decided that it wouldn't recognize dual citizenship.
That was understandable. There were a lot of Chinese there, and China did have some concerns overseas and vice versa. So that was the background for this policy. In 1980 China issued a citizenship law that stipulated that if a Chinese citizen joined another country, he or she would automatically lose his or her Chinese citizenship.
But so many Chinese people have gone overseas since then. China is second only to Mexico in terms of immigrants to the US, and it has overtaken India as the largest exporter of students to the US. And 90 percent of Chinese PhDs studying science and engineering remain in the US five years after graduation. So the situation is quite different now.
But I do not foresee a change in policy again soon, the suggestions have arrived to the Central Comittee, but have not been approved yet. Some are still afraid that in doing so, disruptions will be createdby those iving abroad and returning home.
They have changed one law that the firm I work for deals with, but it's about those who changed citizenships long ago and want to come back to Mainland and retire, China is now allowing those who are over 50 to keep their current citizenship and reside in Mainland without a visa.
I do not think the policy will change for dual citizenship for some time though, besides the overwhelming population who would want to carry a dual citizenship with China?