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DIRECTOR OF ADM.
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dence of statelessness occurring on Chinese soil; the law extends Chinese nationality, reducing the number of children who may be oth- erwise stateless or of uncertain nationality.
Other nationality issues pertinent to children include the national- ity status of foundlings and those born out of wedlock. The 1980 Na- tionality Law is unusually silent on these issues, but perhaps the omis- sion was intentional. Since children born out of wedlock are ensured equal treatment under China's Marriage Law," the usual rules of ac- quisition by birth would therefore apply to children in these situations.
The fact that "found" children were not singled out for special treatment under the law may be a reflection of a social reality in China rather than an oversight." In light of the emphasis placed on commu- nal lifestyle and family planning, and the practical difficulty of con- cealing a pregnancy, it may simply be that any child "found" in China can always be traced to her parents. Once that task is accomplished, the express provisions of the Nationality Law may be applied to the child. As more foreigners enter the country to contribute to China's modernization program, however, China may in the future adopt the general practice in most nations of automatically bestowing nationality on foundlings.
2. Acquisition by Naturalization
The next major method for acquiring PRC nationality is naturali- zation. In summary fashion, the law names three alternative grounds for the acquisition of nationality through naturalization: (1) the person must be a close relative of Chinese nationals, (2) the person must have settled in China, or (3) the person must have other legitimate rea- sons. Once Chinese nationality is effective, the applicant is not per-
40. Article 19 of the 1980 Marriage Law of the PRC states:
Children born out of wedlock enjoy the same rights as children born in law- ful wedlock. No person shall harm them or discriminate against them.
The father of a child born out of wedlock must bear part (of or the whole) cost of maintenance and education of the child until he or she can live on his or her own.
BELANG REV. Mar, 16, 1981, at 24-27 (unofficial translation).
41. But see Ginsburgs, supra note 1, at 473.
42. Article 7 of the 1980 Nationality Law states:
Aliens or stateless persons who are willing to abide by China's Constitution and laws may acquire Chinese nationality upon approval of their applications pro- vided that:
(1) they are close relatives of Chinese nationals; or
(2) they have settled in China; or
(3) they have other legitimate reasons.
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