Legality of Dual Citizenship in China Depends on the CCP’s Needs: Expert

Gold medallist Eileen Gu, a U.S.-born athlete, celebrates with her medal on behalf of the Chinese team during the Women's Freestyle Skiing Freeski Big Air medal ceremony on Day 4 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Beijing Medal Plaza in Beijing, China, on Feb. 8, 2022. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

News Analysis

Dual nationality is not recognized in China, according to the country’s Nationality Law—but the law might be ignored if it is in the communist ruling party’s interest and what it deems necessary. For example, the Chinese regime banned the Australian government from intervening in the rescue of a Hongkonger arrested last year on the grounds of not recognizing his dual nationality, or it could allow athletes who retain foreign nationality to obtain Chinese nationality and thus qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games.