The All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (AFROC) pledged Friday in Beijing to intensify the protection of rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and their families this year.

"The year 2002 will be the year to enhance their legal rights and interests," said Lin Zhaoshu, president of the federation, at its annual meeting.

Efforts should be focused on the enforcement of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Family Members of Overseas Chinese, noted Lin.

The law, enacted by the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, in the early 1990s, is being amended now by the Congress, Lin said.

Further popularization of the law is needed, according to the federation, so as to attract more overseas Chinese to join in the country's economic and social development.

Overseas Chinese are encouraged to invest in China, especially in the high-tech sector, said Guo Lingong, vice-president with the federation.

The federation will strengthen the supervision of the law's enforcement to ensure a better environment for business and lifestyles for returned overseas Chinese.

All local branches of the federation, together with local judicial institutions, are urged to provide law and policy consultancy services to those returned Chinese, according to the federation.

Currently, there are around 30 million overseas Chinese living in more than 100 countries and regions. Millions of overseas Chinese and their dependents have returned to China.

(China Daily March 2, 2002)