Nationality Law of The People's Republic of China - Dual Nationality

Dual Nationality

The People's Republic of China does not recognise dual nationality with any other country (Article 3).

It is generally difficult to have dual nationality of China and another country, due to the provisions for loss of Chinese nationality when a Chinese national naturalizes in another country (see "Loss of nationality" above), and the stipulation that a foreigner who naturalizes in China cannot retain their foreign nationality (see "Naturalization" above).

However, under the Nationality Law it is still possible for a person to have dual nationality of China and another country at birth in some circumstances. For example:

• If they were born in China, to one Chinese-national parent, they are a Chinese national at birth (Article 4). If their other parent is a non-Chinese-national, they may acquire another nationality at birth by jus sanguinis from that parent.

• If they were born outside China, to one or two Chinese-national parents who have not settled abroad, they are a Chinese national at birth (Article 5). They may acquire another nationality at birth by jus soli if they were born in a jus soli country, and/or they may acquire another nationality from their other parent (if only one parent was a Chinese national) by jus sanguinis.

There is no provision in Chinese law for such a person with dual nationality to "choose a nationality". Thus, such a person may hold dual nationality indefinitely, though in practice they will face many bureaucratic hurdles.

There are also some exceptions regarding dual nationality regarding Hong Kong and Macau (see below).