Chinese, the abbreviation of "Huaxia", originated from the combination of "Hua" and "Xia" tribes in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in ancient times. At first it was only a cultural concept, and later it evolved into a national concept, which became another name for the Han nationality. Since modern times, it has expanded to become a general name for 56 ethnic groups in China.
Chinese is a concept of descent. Ethnically speaking, it refers to the Han nationality and some ethnic groups close to the Han nationality. However, with the spread of Han culture to all parts of the country, the concept of "Chinese" gradually expanded from the Huaxia nationality (also known as the Han nationality after the Han Dynasty) to 55 ethnic minorities influenced by Chinese civilization. It has become a synonym for all Chinese people, including "China people" and "overseas Chinese".
Modern Chinese refers to the children of overseas Chinese of China descent who were born in the host country and obtained the nationality of the host country. Ancient refers to the Central Plains. Also refers to the descendants of Huaxia nationality. Huaxia nationality is the predecessor of Han nationality.
Modern Chinese are those who specify that Chinese living abroad have acquired nationality outside China (also known as X-nationality Chinese) and those who were born abroad and have foreign nationality according to the laws of the country of birth. That is to say, they are no longer China citizens legally. But they are descendants of Chinese by descent. Sometimes, overseas Chinese and Chinese are collectively referred to as overseas Chinese.
Overseas Chinese are natural persons with China nationality who have settled abroad. It does not include those who travel and visit abroad, workers and technicians sent by the government to other countries to assist in construction, public servants sent by the state to foreign countries and international students studying abroad. People of China descent who have joined or acquired foreign nationality cannot be regarded as overseas Chinese.
Overseas Chinese are citizens of the People's Republic of China, enjoying the rights and fulfilling the corresponding obligations of China citizens according to law. The Constitution of China clearly stipulates that it is the responsibility of the China government to protect the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese abroad.
Who are overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese?
It is clearly stipulated in the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas Chinese and Their Families: "Returned overseas Chinese refer to overseas Chinese who have returned to China to settle down. Overseas Chinese are China citizens designated to live abroad. The relatives of overseas Chinese refer to the relatives of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese in China. "
In order to meet the needs of work, the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and other relevant departments have made specific explanations on the above concepts:
I. Overseas Chinese
Refers to China citizens living abroad.
(1) "Residency" means that China citizens have obtained long-term or permanent residency in their country of residence, and have lived in their country of residence for two consecutive years, with a cumulative residence of not less than 18 months in two years.
(two) not less than 30 months, as overseas Chinese.
(3) China citizens who study abroad (including public schools and at their own expense) are not regarded as overseas Chinese during their study abroad, or during their work abroad on official business (including sending laborers abroad).
Second, foreign Chinese
Refers to the former China citizens who have joined foreign nationality and their descendants of foreign nationality; Foreign descendants of China citizens.
Third, returned overseas Chinese
Refers to overseas Chinese who have returned to China to settle down.
(1) "Returning to China to settle down" means that overseas Chinese give up their long-term, permanent or legal right of abode in the country where they originally lived and go through the formalities of returning to China to settle down according to law.
(two) foreign Chinese who have been approved to restore or obtain China nationality and go through the formalities of settling in China according to law are regarded as returned overseas Chinese.
Fourth, the relatives of overseas Chinese
Refers to the family members of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese in China.
(1) The family members of overseas Chinese include: spouses, parents, children and their spouses, brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren and grandchildren of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese, and other relatives who have long-term support relations with overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese.
(2) Family members of foreign Chinese with China nationality in China are regarded as relatives of overseas Chinese.