Are the overseas Chinese in China nationalities?

Overseas Chinese are natural persons with China nationality who are designated to live abroad. Overseas Chinese are citizens of People's Republic of China (PRC), enjoying the rights of citizens of China and fulfilling their corresponding obligations 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.

According to the Notice of the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office on Printing and Distributing the Provisions on Defining the Identity of Overseas Chinese, Overseas Chinese, Returned Overseas Chinese and Their Families, if overseas Chinese are China citizens designated to live abroad, "settlement" means that China citizens have obtained long-term or permanent residency in the country of residence and have lived in the country for two consecutive years, and the cumulative residence time within two years is not less than 18 months;

China citizens are regarded as overseas Chinese. Although they have not obtained long-term or permanent residency in their country of residence, they have obtained legal residency in their country of residence for more than five consecutive years (including five years) and have lived in that country for not less than 30 months within five years; China citizens are not regarded as overseas Chinese during their study abroad (including public schools and at their own expense), or during their work abroad on business (including expatriate laborers).

According to the statistics of China International Migration Report (20 15), there are more than 60 million overseas Chinese living in 198 countries and regions around the world.