Double Nationality Issue Raised by 'Aileen Gu'... Voices Inside China Call for "Easing Restrictions"

"Attracting Overseas Hwajiao Can Help China’s Population Crisis"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Amid ongoing controversy over the nationality of Eileen Gu (Chinese name Gu Ailing), the gold medalist at the Beijing Winter Olympics, voices from within China are calling for the relaxation of the country's dual nationality restrictions.

On the 14th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported this, citing Huang Yuanjing, a Chinese demographer and researcher at the China Globalization Center. Researcher Huang stated, "If China removes the 'dual nationality rejection' clause from its Nationality Law, all ambiguities will be resolved," adding, "The country's economy and society have undergone significant changes, and the depth and frequency of exchanges with foreigners have greatly increased."

Eileen Gu won the women's big air freestyle skiing final at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics held on the 8th at the Beijing Shougang Big Air venue, bringing a gold medal to China. Born in San Francisco, USA, she is the daughter of an American father and a Chinese mother. Since 2019, she has competed internationally under Chinese nationality and has become a popular star. Although her appearance is closer to Westerners, she is fluent in Chinese and has been well-loved locally, signing advertising contracts with dozens of brands.

However, some have shown interest in her nationality and raised questions about her identity. Particularly, local media reported that she gave up her American nationality upon acquiring Chinese nationality, but at a press conference on the 8th, she did not confirm whether she had renounced her U.S. citizenship, fueling controversy. When asked if she had given up her American nationality, she replied, "I spent 25 to 30% of my time growing up in China, am fluent in both Chinese and English, and am culturally proficient in both."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website lists Eileen Gu as having 'dual nationality.' On the 2nd, the British online media The Independent reported, citing her biography on the official Beijing Winter Olympics website, that she "gave up U.S. citizenship for Chinese citizenship," but this content has since been removed from the article.

According to China's Nationality Law enacted in 1980, a person who acquires foreign nationality automatically loses Chinese nationality. Researcher Huang said, "Attracting overseas Chinese is a great help in alleviating China's population crisis, which is facing its biggest challenge in 60 years."

He added, "Unless Chinese nationality is officially renounced, it should remain permanently valid," emphasizing, "They should be able to enter China using a Chinese passport, and priority should be given to their origin rather than foreign passports." However, he noted, "Dual nationality Chinese should not exercise political rights such as voting in China," adding, "Most countries, especially developed ones, generally accept multiple nationalities."