Although China does not recognize dual citizenship for Chinese citizens, the fact that some of its citizens also hold foreign passports has triggered outcry among the Chinese public. However, a recent new policy that aims to crack down on those who also hold citizenship in another country has also stirred debate among many Chinese residents in the US.

Some Chinese residents in the US told the Global Times that, while they understand and support the drive to bring corrupt officials to justice, they are worried about more inconveniences in their life if they go back to China.

Hang Ren, a Chinese-American living in Virginia for over 16 years, told the Global Times that many of his friends hold passports of both China and the US, and worry they might not be able to buy a car or open a bank account in China after the new regulation.

China's Nationality Law, enacted in 1980, stipulates that China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese citizen, and declares that any Chinese citizen will automatically lose their citizenship when they take foreign citizenship.

David Yuan, a Chinese-American resident in the US, told the Global Times that the regulation may drive away overseas talent. "Lawmakers are right to protect public security through rejecting dual citizenship." Yuan said, "But we hope that they can also take into consideration the practical needs of overseas Chinese."

Xiulan Li, a 78-year-old Chinese-American who immigrated to the US to care for her grandchildren after retirement, and who has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, for ten years, said that she applied for US citizenship to ease the financial burden for her children, as the welfare system in the US is more favorable for US citizens, but was still planning to return to China. Li became a US citizen three years ago and her husband is holding a green card. They are one of millions of Chinese overseas facing a dilemma: whether to cancel their Chinese citizenship.

Duo Ge, a Chinese-American who has lived Washington DC for eight years, told the Global Times that he was worried that his pension would be gone if he cancelled his Beijing residency, and fretted that he might run into trouble in dealing with his property in China.

Since some members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) were identified as possible foreign nationals, the new regulation on tightening checks for dual citizenship was announced on July 15, focusing on catching on corrupt officials fleeing overseas. Choosing to hold a foreign nationality does not mean one is less patriotic, and overseas Chinese all wish China well, said Ge, adding that they hoped that government could hear more voices from the public and provide more convenient policies for people living outside the homeland.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said during his September visit to the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone that the zone should come up with a way to smooth the application process for foreigners to obtain Chinese green cards.