Slowly, Americans Moving To China - Forbes

Slowly, Americans Moving To China - Forbes: "Americans are moving to China, and staying there. So are the Japanese, Germans and Australians.

It’s not a flood. Most of them are of Chinese descent. But the numbers, minuscule compared to U.S. immigration figures, are clearly on the rise.

All told, 1,202 foreigners received the equivalent of a Chinese “green card” — making them legal, permanent residents of the world’s No. 2 economy. Zheng Baigang, head of the Ministry of Public Security‘s Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration, told China Daily on Monday that perm resident visas were up more than 80% from 2012.

More than half are new visas are going to Chinese immigrants or adult-children of Chinese immigrants living in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany and Japan. They’re off to live in the major east coast cities, seeking — or already having — professional jobs.

“The principle of China’s ‘green card’ regulation is to attract foreign talent to promote economic and social development and enhance international communication,” Zheng told the Daily.

Ada Jen, a Chinese American interviewed for the story, said she applied for a Chinese permanent residency visa in 2011. She said the China visa gives her a sense of belonging to her family’s culture. China’s become her new home.

“I have to go back to the U.S. once or twice every year to see my family, and the green card reduces exit-entry troubles,” she told the paper Monday. She said many of her friends intend to apply for perm resident status there too.

In 2010, the government issued perm visas to 564 applicants, rising to 656 in 2011, according to the Ministry. Most are coming from the Chinese diaspora, at least 53% in fact. The next biggest percentage were professionals already working and investing in the country for years."



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