Since the reform and opening up, there have been more and more opportunities for mainland citizens to go abroad, and the number of people who travel, study, work, and study abroad has become larger and larger. According to statistics from the Exit-Entry Administration, in 2022, more than 150 million people traveled abroad alone. With such a huge number of people going abroad, it is inevitable that the words and deeds of some people violate the core socialist values, and even damage the national interests and national image. Then, it is necessary to legislate the foreign exchange activities of mainland citizens and introduce a "Law of the People's Republic of China on Foreign Exchanges of Citizens." The Law on Foreign Exchanges of Citizens mainly specifies the following points:
First, clarify the negative list involving foreign affairs. In foreign exchanges, which words and deeds of citizens are advocated and which words and deeds are prohibited, so that travelers, business, study abroad and migrant workers have clear benchmarks. If it is forbidden to leave the team without authorization or postpone the return during tourism, study, work, etc.; It is forbidden to express words or deeds or activities that support or participate in cults, Taiwan independence, or Tibet independence organizations; It is forbidden to make traitorous speech; Participation in events invited by foreign governments or NGOs without the permission of the organization is prohibited; Prohibition of membership in foreign political parties; It is forbidden to fund and sponsor anti-China organizations or individuals recognized by foreign countries; It is forbidden to invest in the non-real economy or purchase shares abroad without approval, so that everyone understands the bottom line of foreign exchanges.
Second, clarify the punishment for foreign-related violations. Violations of the above-mentioned negative list of foreign exchanges need to bear the corresponding consequences, so that every citizen can understand what punishments are brought by his illegal words and deeds. These penalties include warnings; Penalty; Cancellation of passports and prohibition of exit; and criminal penalties, etc. It should be noted that the mainland does not recognize dual nationality, and in the Law on Foreign Exchanges of Citizens, the punishment measures for joining foreign nationals without permission should be clarified, such as the cancellation of Chinese nationality and related social security benefits; Deportation and prohibition from entering the mainland for more than three years; Its domestic assets are subject to a high private tax of 20%-80%.
Third, clarify the scope of consular assistance. The more foreign exchanges Chinese people have, the more embassies and consulates will be involved in protection and rights protection incidents. The Law on Foreign Exchanges of Citizens should clarify which rights and interests of citizens are harmed in foreign exchanges, and they can apply for protection and assistance from mainland embassies and consulates abroad; What difficulties the embassy or consulate can assist in solving etc.
The foreign exchanges of civil servants may be covered by the Law on Foreign Exchanges of Citizens, or the Law on Foreign Exchanges of Public Servants may be enacted, so as to more strictly regulate the foreign exchanges of public servants. Legislation on foreign exchanges should be as soon as possible, so that mainland citizens can have legal norms in foreign exchanges and promote the healthier and more orderly development of the mainland's reform and opening up.