Overseas Chinese Affairs Office


The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council is the administrative office under the State Council of the People's Republic of China responsible for liaising with overseas Chinese residing abroad or returning to China. Its forerunner, the Committee of Overseas Chinese Affairs, was established in 1949; He Xiangning, the wife of Liao Zhongkai, served as its first head from October 1949 to April 1959, after which her son Liao Chengzhi took over the position of head until the abolishment of the office in June 1970. Upon the establishment of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office in 1978, Liao Chengzhi also became its first head. Liao Chengzhi's son Liao Hui also joined the office as vice-director in 1983, and was promoted to director in May 1984.
In March 2018, it was announced that the OCAO would be merged into the central United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party.

Administration