Published by ChinaMNC · Luoding

China’s New Diaspora Work Directive: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

A recent high-level directive on overseas Chinese affairs signals continued emphasis on diaspora engagement. For foreign founders in China, it clarifies the policy environment for talent, cultural exchange, and cross-border business.

China’s New Diaspora Work Directive: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

On July 28, 2026, Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued important instructions on overseas Chinese affairs. The directive emphasized better consolidating the hearts and strength of overseas Chinese and promoting unity among Chinese people at home and abroad. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, attended the National Conference on Overseas Chinese Affairs and delivered a speech.

For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, this news may seem distant. However, the conference and directive outline the policy framework for engaging with the diaspora—a group that includes many professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs with ties to China. Understanding these priorities can help foreign founders anticipate how policies may evolve and identify opportunities for collaboration, talent recruitment, and cultural exchange.

Key Points from the Directive

The source text states that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the overseas Chinese affairs system has implemented central decisions and mobilized overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese and their relatives. Their contributions are recognized in three areas: promoting national economic and social development, inheriting and promoting Chinese culture, and enhancing exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries.

Xi emphasized that on the new journey, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Party’s overseas Chinese policy should be fully implemented. The focus is on better consolidating the hearts and strength of overseas Chinese, guiding them to uphold fine traditions, deepen patriotic sentiments, leverage their unique advantages, and play a greater role. They are encouraged to serve the cause of national reunification and promote unity among Chinese people at home and abroad, gathering strength for advancing national development and rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

The National Conference on Overseas Chinese Affairs

The conference was held in Beijing from July 27 to 28. The important instructions were conveyed at the meeting. Wang Huning stated that Xi attaches great importance to overseas Chinese affairs and recently made special instructions. Xi highly praised the positive contributions of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese in promoting economic and social development, inheriting and promoting Chinese culture, and enhancing exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries. Xi also set tasks and requirements for consolidating the hearts and strength of overseas Chinese and promoting unity among Chinese people at home and abroad, pointing out the direction and providing important guidance for overseas Chinese affairs in the new era and new journey.

Wang noted that overseas Chinese affairs are a long-term and strategic work of the Party and the state. Since the new era, this work has been comprehensively strengthened with remarkable results, effectively serving the development of the Party and the state. On the new journey, it is necessary to implement the Party’s decisions on strengthening and improving overseas Chinese affairs as set out at the 20th Party Congress and the third and fourth plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee. The theme is to unite hearts and efforts to jointly realize the Chinese Dream, and to uphold the unity of serving the overall situation and serving overseas Chinese, coordination between domestic and overseas work, and balancing resource cultivation and utilization. The goal is to promote high-quality development of overseas Chinese affairs in the new era and better unite overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese, guiding them to play a greater role in supporting and participating in national modernization, promoting Chinese culture, facilitating national reunification, and strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries.

Implementation and Participation

Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau and head of the United Front Work Department, delivered a concluding speech. He stressed the need to deeply understand the significance, contemporary value, core essence, and practical requirements of Xi’s important expositions and instructions on overseas Chinese affairs. He called for upholding the Party’s overall leadership, especially the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and implementing the Party’s decisions on overseas Chinese affairs without compromise. He also emphasized consolidating the foundation for united struggle and safeguarding the rights and interests of overseas Chinese in accordance with the law. He urged establishing and practicing a correct view of political performance, uniting efforts, and gathering strength from all sides to jointly advance overseas Chinese affairs in the new era.

Officials from Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, exchanged speeches. The meeting was attended by responsible officials from various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant central and state organs, people’s organizations, some financial institutions and enterprises managed by the central government, some universities, and some overseas embassies and consulates.

What This Means for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders may wonder how this directive affects their business operations. While the text does not introduce new regulations for foreign-invested enterprises, it reinforces the government’s attention to the diaspora community—a group that often includes potential partners, employees, and customers with cross-border expertise. The emphasis on “enhancing exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries” suggests continued support for international business and cultural exchange. Founders involved in sectors such as education, technology, and trade may find opportunities to engage with diaspora networks, which can serve as bridges for market entry and talent acquisition.

Moreover, the directive’s call to “safeguard the rights and interests of overseas Chinese in accordance with the law” indicates a legal framework that protects the legitimate rights of individuals with overseas ties. Foreign founders should ensure their own compliance with Chinese laws and consider how they can collaborate with returned overseas Chinese who bring international experience. The conference’s focus on high-quality development and unity may also signal a stable policy environment for long-term investment.

Practical Takeaways

• Monitor policy signals: High-level directives like this often precede specific implementation measures. Stay informed through official channels to anticipate changes in areas such as visas, residency, or business registration for individuals with overseas backgrounds.
• Leverage diaspora networks: Overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese can be valuable partners for navigating local markets, sourcing talent, and facilitating cross-border transactions. Building relationships with these communities can benefit foreign founders.
• Emphasize cultural exchange: The directive highlights the role of overseas Chinese in promoting Chinese culture and enhancing international cooperation. Foreign founders can align their business activities with these themes, such as through cultural products, educational services, or international trade.
• Ensure legal compliance: The mention of safeguarding rights in accordance with the law underscores the importance of legal compliance for all businesses in China. Foreign founders should work with local legal advisors to understand their obligations and protect their interests.

In summary, while the directive is primarily aimed at domestic agencies and diaspora communities, it reflects broader policy priorities that can shape the business environment. Foreign founders should view it as part of the context for operating in China—one that values unity, development, and international exchange.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.