Xi Jinping Issues New Instructions on Overseas Chinese Affairs Strategy

At the National Overseas Chinese Affairs Conference held in Beijing on July 27–28, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued strategic instructions directing officials to better unite overseas Chinese citizens and domestic returned relatives behind national development. Xi commended the sector's post-2012 contributions to economic growth, cultural outreach, and foreign exchanges. Senior leadership figures, including CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning and United Front chief Li Ganjie, outlined key priorities, emphasizing party leadership, strategic alignment with Chinese modernization, and the legal protection of diaspora rights.

With an estimated population of over 60 million overseas Chinese across nearly 200 countries and regions and 40 million domestic returned relatives, mobilizing this global demographic is central to Beijing's long-term economic, diplomatic, and unified front strategy. The directives signal renewed emphasis on channeling diaspora capital, talent, and cultural links to support domestic development and foreign policy goals amid evolving global dynamics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued new instructions on overseas Chinese affairs, urging officials to better pool the hearts and strength of overseas Chinese and returned relatives to serve national development, cultural outreach, and national reunification goals, state media reported on July 28. The instructions were conveyed at the National Overseas Chinese Affairs Conference held in Beijing from July 27 to 28. In his directive, Xi commended the overseas Chinese sector for its contributions since the 18th Party Congress in 2012, highlighting its role in supporting domestic economic growth, transmitting traditional culture, and expanding international exchange. Looking ahead, Xi called for adhering strictly to the Communist Party of China’s overseas Chinese policy, guiding the diaspora to foster patriotic sentiments, and unleashing their unique advantages to advance Chinese modernization. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the conference and delivered a key address. Wang emphasized that overseas Chinese work remains a long-term strategic priority for the party and state. He called for aligning overseas Chinese affairs with the party's broader governing objectives, coordinating domestic and international work, and harnessing diaspora capital and expertise to support modernization and reunification. Li Ganjie, member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and head of the Central United Front Work Department, delivered the conference's closing remarks. Li stressed the importance of maintaining centralized party leadership over overseas Chinese policy, ensuring execution of central directives, and protecting the lawful rights and interests of overseas Chinese and returned relatives. Senior representatives from prominent ancestral provinces—including Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and Xinjiang—alongside officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) shared operational experiences during the meeting. State commentaries noted that China's diaspora comprises more than 60 million overseas Chinese living across nearly 200 countries and regions, alongside over 40 million returned overseas Chinese and their relatives residing within China.