Critics say China's proposed legislation may increase overseas surveillance

A surveillance camera is silhouetted behind a Chinese national flag in Beijing, China, Nov. 3, 2022. [VOA]

Concerned over its shrinking population, China is proposing new legislation to encourage ethnic Chinese around the world to relocate to China, bringing with them technical and entrepreneurial skills learned abroad.

Changes aimed at creating a more welcoming environment for millions of "the Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad" are laid out in an April 24 report to the National People's Congress. However, critics fear the new policy could also open a back door to increased monitoring and harassment of overseas Chinese.