morally or legally.
Denaturalized Chinese who were denied protection by
their adapted country were not uncommon.
philosophy and practice of the extended
Traditionally, due to the
family,
emigration was
years.
undesirable, and most of the time illegal throughout the last 1,000
Because of this background, the PRC's hands are tied, unable to
change or re-evaluate these historical andtraditional practices. Also
it is also unwise to abandon
Overseas Chinese whose political and
economic resources had proved to be vital to her predecessors.
Fourthly, due to periodical anti-Chinese campaigns which had badly
jeopardized the human rights of Overseas Chinese, especially during the
vulnerable Ching regime, protection of overseas Chinese became a
problem. The Kuomintang came to power, taking advantage of the Ching
vulnerability on the issue of protection. The Communists also blamed
the Kuomintang for failure in the protection of China and her people
abroad and at home. Under these circumstances, protection of Chinese
and the
denaturalization of Chinese became very sensitive and
political issues. Denying denaturalization of Chinese is
sensational
part of the current heroic mood to protect China and Chinese.
Finally, the non-recognition policy has its legal grounds too.
China adapted jus sanguinis as a major legal principle in the first
nationality law initiated by the Ching regime. Under this principle,
These
state consent is required whenever denaturalization is sought.
two principles have resulted in a perennial problem of dual nationality,
often played as a political game by Chinese authorities to show their
care and concern for Overseas Chinese in spite of being an approach
unrealistic most of the time. When the PRC inherits this nationality
law and its resultant problems, her choice is limited. The Hong Kong
nationality issue is very restricted by the past practices of jus
sanguinis and state consent; the PRC has no choice but to insist on
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