China in Global Immigration: Changing Role and Current Policies

Abstract

China does not have immigration law or asylum law, and it does not permit dual citizenship. In Chinese laws and official documents, the word “immigrant” is seldom used. When referring to immigrants, Chinese law consistently calls them “foreigners” and defines them as anyone who does not have Chinese citizenship or who are stateless persons. A similar definition may be found in the legal regulations of many countries (e.g., Hungary 1993, Germany 1990, Austria 1992). In immigration control, relevant government authorities pay more attentions to managing foreigners’ behaviours in the process of entry, residency and departure. To be specific, China’s policies on immigration include the management of foreigners’ entry, transit, residence, employment, travel, study, departure and so on.