Hearing that China officially began implementing its Regulations
on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in
China, world-famous mathematician Chen Xingshen (Shiing-Shen
Chern), a Chinese-American, submitted his application documents to
Tianjin
entry/exit authority on September 3, becoming one of the first
foreigners applying for Chinese "Green Card". This is the second
time for Chen's application according to the new regulation after
gaining permanent residence in 2000.
As "Father of differential geometry", Chen created Nankai
Mathematics Research Institute in 1985, and is now honorary
president of the Institute and a foreign member of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences. After returning from overseas in 2000, Chen
settled down in Nankai University, Tianjin. In the same year, he
was granted according to law permanent residence in China for his
outstanding contribution to the country.
Permanent residence is a kind of qualification of unlimited stay
in a country granted by a government according to law to foreigners
who meet a certain requirements. The permanent residence permit
issued is what we call "green card". By now Tianjin city has seen
11 foreigners applying for "green cards" in China.
(People's Daily September 8, 2004)