China is now allowing citizens of foreign countries with Chinese heritage to apply for a special five-year multiple entry visa, a move officials say will boost the country's economic performance.

Key points: China says the new visas will attract "innovative" talent from abroad

China says the new visas will attract "innovative" talent from abroad The visas were previously for one year only, with a three-year maximum residency

The visas were previously for one year only, with a three-year maximum residency There is concern the visas could be part of China's soft power push

Qu Yunhai, the director of the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau for the Ministry of Public Security, told state media the changes were aimed at enticing skilled workers.

"Such rules have played a positive role in serving China's social and economic development and attracting talent with innovative and entrepreneurial spirit," he told CCTV.

Beijing-based entrepreneur Jemma Xu, the chief executive and founder of Australian online travel start-up Tripalocal, said the visa would be a huge help to businesses like hers.

"A five year visa like this is extremely beneficial, and just takes a lot of the hassle out of remembering to renew the visa every year," she said.

People with Chinese heritage had previously been able to receive a one-year visa, with a maximum residency of no more than three years — but that will also be extended to five years under the new rules.

"I know a lot of businesses, especially start-ups, who are looking to enter or explore the China market … often the team have to travel a lot to China and each time, the visa can take a while."

All foreign citizens with Chinese heritage will be able to apply, regardless of how many generations back their connection goes — however applicants will still need to prove their ancestry to officials, and be able to provide documents.

In the 2016 Census, 5.6 per cent of Australians identified themselves as having Chinese ancestry.

'Recognition of homeland'

Overseas Chinese have had an up-and-down relationship with Chinese authorities of various persuasions.

The so-called "Age of Mass Migration" saw more than 50 million Chinese people leave the country between 1850 and 1930, seeking a better life overseas in new settler societies like Australia, the United States and Canada.

Those migrants often faced hardship and discrimination, and as a result, the Qing Dynasty government created a law in 1909 giving Chinese born overseas equal rights to Chinese citizens.

A drawing from 1854 shows Chinese miners walking to the goldfields carrying their bundles of belongings. ( Supplied: State Library of Victoria )

This led more Overseas Chinese to re-engage with China, and after the 1911 Republican Revolution, they played a big part in rebuilding and modernising China.

This changed in the years following 1949, after the Chinese Community Party took power.

"Many Overseas Chinese in China with foreign connections begin to be the subject of suspicion, sometimes persecution," University of Sydney historian Dr Loy-Wilson said.

"The term for Overseas Chinese at this time is 'li tong wai guo' — enemies of the people, or foreign spies."

From a historical perspective, Dr Loy-Wilson said the new visas represent a radical shift.



"This is a very in some ways emotional thing. It's a recognition of homeland, of a continuing tie to homeland despite in some cases generations of being away from China," she said.

"If you think about the relationship that Australia has with Britain, that is very similar for Chinese and Overseas Chinese. It's a very culturally important relationship."

Visas a strategic move: academic

Dr Chongyi Feng from the University of Technology Sydney has understandably mixed feelings towards the new policy.

The prominent Chinese Studies professor and democracy activist was detained by authorities in the city of Guangzhou last year while trying to board a plane home to Australia.

Dr Feng does not think economic benefits are the main reason for the visas.

Authorities interrogated him for 10 days before allowing him to leave the country.

"Of course this will make the lives of some of my compatriots easier to get visas and stay longer in China, and save money as well," Dr Feng said.

"It should apply to all foreigners rather than this targeted group that can work as some extension of the Chinese United Front strategy."

The United Front Work Department is an organisation within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that liaises with groups outside the party.

In recent years it has stepped up its efforts to extend the party's influence around the world, and it has links to civil society organisations, university student groups and Chinese language media in Australia.

Dr Feng said he doubted overseas Chinese people that the CCP views as dissidents would be able to receive the visa.

"If it's a new policy, it should be applied to all rather than targeting so-called patriotic people, or community leaders who are participating in Chinese development."

"If you only look at the convenience to business or visits, I don't think there's a need to create this kind of distinction."