Protection of Legitimate Rights of Chinese Nationals StressedLi Ruiyou, China's Counselor and Consul General to the United States stressed, in Washington on June 23, protection of the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese.Li Ruiyou introduced China's policy on overseas Chinese affairs to local Chinese nationals at a lecture "Taotao Current Events Discussion" in Washington last Saturday. He said that the Chinese government encourages overseas Chinese to promote friendly cooperative relationships between China and the countries they live in, urge them to observe the laws of the countries concerned, respect local social and ethnic customs, promote unity and mutual-aid, keep a friendly relationship with local residents and a long-term coexistence and development, and make positive contribution to the economic prosperity of the countries of residence. Consul General Li emphasized that to protect the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese is diplomatically termed as the "Consular Protection". For instance, a Hong Kong compatriot Li Guanglun was put into prison for injuring others. China's Embassy in the United States has tried every possible means to urge the United States to measure the penalty in accordance with the law. When knowing Li Guanglun was attacked by other inmates for snoring, officials of the Chinese Embassy immediately contacted the officer in charge of the case and wrote a letter to the prison, asking for appropriate handling of the matter. Before long, Li Guanglun was moved to a separate room. According to the Chinese government's policy on overseas Chinese and foreigners of Chinese descent, Li said, China's embassy and consulate in the United States are engaged mainly in the following work: assist overseas Chinese to carry forward Chinese culture and promote education in Chinese; encourage overseas Chinese to integrate themselves into the mainstream society, elevate their social status and promote Sino-US relationship; give play to the active role of overseas Chinese in the Chinese-US economic, trade, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. Li said that overseas Chinese have a transnational cultural background. Some of them are outstanding professionals. In Northern America alone, there are more than 100,000 sci-tech and senior Chinese professionals. It helps the United States explore the Chinese market, and facilitates China's economic construction, and the development of the careers of the overseas Chinese. Li also indicated that he would continue to carry out the work of spurring the overseas Chinese to advance the great cause of the peaceful reunification of China. By PD Online Staff Du Minghua |
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