Amendments for Protecting Rights of Returned Overseas Chinese Hailed

A senior legislator said November 17 in Beijing that the Law for the Protection of Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas Chinese and Their Family Members has played a vital role in protecting the rights of these individuals.

He Luli, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remark at a symposium on implementation of the law and amendments to the law, saying that the revised law will better protect the rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and their family members.

Figures show that since 1990, offices in charge of overseas Chinese affairs across the country have handled over 700,000 cases relating to rights and interests protection.

In Guangzhou alone, capital of Guangdong Province neighboring Hong Kong, some 7,000 such cases are dealt with every year.

Consequently, a lot of complaints and problems have been resolved by the offices.

The law was officially put into force on January 1, 1991. The amendments were passed last month at a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee and have been effective.

Luo Haocai, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the amendments for the stipulation that more care should be provided to those Chinese nationals who are in difficulty and necessary guidance and services should be given in their employment.

Gan Ziyu, chairman of the NPC Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, said that the amendments better protect overseas Chinese nationals' investments in China, and overseas Chinese are encouraged to invest in high-tech enterprises.

Lin Zhaoshu, chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, applauded the amendments, which stipulate the role of the federation in safeguarding the rights and interests of overseas Chinese and their family members.

The symposium, held by the NPC Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese of the CPPCC National Committee, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, the Central Committee of the Public Interest Party and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, was also attended by over 100 overseas Chinese representatives and celebrities.



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