Gan Ziyu, chairman of the Overseas Chinese Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), gave his speech at a symposium on the law and its amendment held in Beijing Friday.

Although the current Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas and Their Family Members, promulgated in 1990, has contributed much to protecting overseas Chinese, some of its articles could not be applied to handle new problems that have emerged in the market economy, said Gan.

The amendment, which was approved by the 18th session of the Ninth NPC Standing Committee in late October, made adjustments to 15 clauses of the old law and added another 10 to it.

New provisions include:

* Local governments should give relief to those returned overseas Chinese and their family members who "have lost the ability to work," "have no source of income," or "have difficulties in living."

* The rights of overseas Chinese to inherit the estate left by family members living outside China is protected by the law.

* If State officials and working personnel violate the legal rights of overseas Chinese and their family members, they should be punished or charged.

* The rights and interests of those returned overseas Chinese and their family members who have applied to live abroad should not be violated by any organizations or individuals.

* The overseas Chinese are encouraged to invest in China, especially in high-tech industries.

There are over 30 million overseas Chinese all over the world and another 30 million overseas Chinese and their family have returned to China.

They have made significant contributions to China's reform and opening up.

Together with the NPC, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the State Council each have a special committee or office to handle matters involving overseas Chinese.

(China Daily 11/18/2000)