What does it mean to live abroad?

Expatriates refer to those who live in foreign countries or settle down as immigrants. For example, China people living abroad live in foreign countries.

Overseas Chinese refer to China citizens who are designated to live abroad.

(1) "Residence" means that China citizens have obtained long-term or permanent residency in the country of residence and have lived in the country of residence for two consecutive years, with a cumulative residence of not less than 18 months within two years.

(2) China citizens are regarded as overseas Chinese. Although they have not obtained the long-term or permanent right of abode in their country of residence, they have obtained the legal right of abode in their country for more than five consecutive years (including five years) and have lived in that country for not less than 30 months within five years.

(3) China citizens who study abroad (including public schools and at their own expense) shall not be regarded as overseas Chinese while studying abroad or working abroad on business (including sending labor services abroad).

The present situation of overseas Chinese

Overseas Chinese are widely distributed in five continents1more than 60 countries and regions. There is no accurate and scientific statistics about the number of overseas Chinese, only a rough estimate. Because most overseas Chinese intermarry with local ethnic groups, the relationship between Chinese descent is complex, and there is no unified standard for the concept of Chinese.

In addition, due to various conditions, it is impossible for people to conduct a comprehensive and detailed population survey of overseas Chinese scattered around the world. As far as the population of overseas Chinese in various countries is concerned, only a few statistics come from the special statistics of the authorities of various countries, and the vast majority come from the estimates of China's embassies and consulates abroad, overseas Chinese affairs departments and overseas Chinese communities.

From all aspects, the total population of overseas Chinese at the beginning of 2 1 century was about 39.758 million, of which about 2 million were a new generation of overseas Chinese who immigrated from the mainland in recent 20 years, distributed in 16 1 countries, and most of them were foreign Chinese. Except for a few inland countries and remote island areas, there are traces of China people all over the world.