South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
24 February 2018
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- Entry Denied: The Identity Crisis Facing China’s Covert Dual Passport Holders
Entry Denied: The Identity Crisis Facing China’s Covert Dual Passport Holders
Chinese authorities are cracking down on dual citizens, a move analysts say is driven in part by a campaign to track down the ill-gotten gains of corrupt officials. Beijing has warned of its zero tolerance for dual nationality and now some foreign citizens who held on to their Chinese identity documents fear the consequences of returning.
Li Mingjiang, from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said there were several reasons for Beijing’s clampdown on dual passports holders.
“The second nationality provides protection for corrupt officials, making it more difficult for China’s anticorruption campaign,” Li said.
He said another reason could be to help ensure that incentives for ethnic Chinese citizens of other countries to invest in China went to qualified people.
“In recent years, Beijing has been offering favourable policies to those whose origins are in China but who are not Chinese citizens. Knowing who has already become a ‘foreigner’ is the first step to applying these policies,” Li said.
GPO / IDSS / Online / Print
Last updated on 26/02/2018
