The government should handle overseas Chinese "under the new situation," by implementing "central policies in an overall way," said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan at a national working conference on the issue.

Tang said the issue of overseas Chinese is long-term and strategic work for the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state, calling for efforts to "create a new situation in the field."

Efforts should be made to let relatives of overseas Chinese and those who have returned to China to play "a unique role in China's efforts for building up a well-off society, achieving reunification and developing friendly ties with other countries."

In the coming years, the government should try hard to unite overseas Chinese, boost mutually beneficial cooperation, promote overseas teaching of the Chinese language and culture, and protect the interests of overseas Chinese in accordance with law, he said.