Fujian Enacts First Law Protecting Overseas Chinese Heritage

Fujian Province has enacted China’s first provincial-level regulation dedicated to protecting the historical and cultural heritage of overseas Chinese, a landmark legislative move that addresses a long-standing gap in the country’s cultural preservation framework. The Fujian Province Overseas Chinese Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection Regulations will take effect on July 1, 2026, according to an announcement made at a press conference in Fuzhou on June 16.

A Critical Legal Gap

Fujian is one of China’s most prominent “qiaoxiang” (overseas Chinese hometowns), with over 20 million overseas Chinese originating from the province. The region is home to more than 2,633 overseas-Chinese-related buildings and sites requiring protection, as reported by People’s Daily. However, prior to this legislation, a significant number of these heritage assets — including former residences, ancestral halls, clan temples, and movable heritage items such as qiaopi (remittance letters), documents, and manuscripts — fell into a legal gray area.

As People’s Daily noted, these sites were “not listed as cultural relics, archives, historical buildings, traditional-style buildings, or martyrs’ memorial facilities,” leaving them in the “awkward position of ‘no constraints on demolition, no basis for protection.’” The new regulations close this gap by creating a comprehensive legal framework that covers both immovable and movable heritage, regardless of whether they fall under existing classification systems.

Structure and Scope of the Regulations

The regulations, passed by the 21st Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th Fujian Provincial People’s Congress on March 27, 2026, consist of six chapters and 40 articles. According to Xinhua News Agency, the legislation covers general provisions, investigation and identification, protection and management, inheritance and utilization, legal responsibilities, and supplementary provisions.

Xiao Huaxin, Deputy Director of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference United Front Work Department and Director of the Fujian Provincial Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, presented the details at the press conference. As Guangming Daily reported, Xiao emphasized that the regulations “not only protect structures already listed as cultural relics, historical buildings, or traditional-style buildings, but also sites, relics, venues, and objects not yet listed under those categories.”

Key Innovations

The regulations introduce several groundbreaking features. They establish a full-chain protection system encompassing “investigation and identification, directory management, classified protection, revitalization and utilization, and oversight guarantees,” according to China Overseas Chinese Network. This systematic approach ensures that heritage assets are identified, cataloged, and protected through standardized procedures.

A notable innovation is the emphasis on digital technology. The regulations mandate dynamic database updates, digital preservation of endangered heritage, immersive exhibition experiences, and the creation of a provincial-level digital platform for overseas Chinese heritage. This forward-looking approach aims to make heritage preservation more accessible and sustainable.

The legislation also addresses the practical challenges of property rights. Many overseas Chinese properties have scattered ownership with owners living abroad, making identification and consent processes complex. The regulations establish a three-tier responsibility system involving property owners, users, and local governments, while allowing owners to modernize interiors as long as original exterior appearances are preserved.

Economic and Cultural Dimensions

The regulations include a dedicated chapter on “inheritance and utilization” that explicitly encourages economic development through heritage tourism. This supports the creation of overseas Chinese cultural tourism theme areas, specialty cultural and creative products, and unique dining and accommodation businesses — signaling an intent to leverage heritage preservation for local economic revitalization.

Xiao Huaxin stated that the regulations require multi-level government funding mechanisms, multilingual promotion, and the establishment of a provincial expert database for heritage protection. “Formulating the regulations is an urgent need to solve practical problems in the protection of overseas Chinese historical and cultural heritage,” he said, as reported by Xinhua.

National Significance and Precedent

There is currently no national-level law specifically addressing overseas Chinese historical and cultural heritage protection in China. Fujian’s provincial regulation fills this legislative gap and may serve as a model for other provinces with significant overseas Chinese populations, such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Hainan. The legislation builds on a municipal-level precursor enacted by Quanzhou City in 2024, which demonstrated the feasibility of such legal protections.

Looking Ahead

As the regulations prepare to take effect on July 1, attention now turns to implementation. With over 2,633 buildings and sites across the province, effective enforcement will require significant resources and coordination across multiple levels of government. Xiao outlined the province’s vision, stating that Fujian will promote “solid-state protection, living inheritance, and industry upgrading” while deeply exploring the cultural value and spiritual significance of overseas Chinese heritage.

The ultimate goal, as Xiao expressed at the press conference, is to “further enhance the cultural identity of overseas Chinese compatriots and their sense of belonging to the motherland and hometown, gathering the mighty force to jointly realize the Chinese Dream.” Whether other provinces follow Fujian’s lead with similar legislation remains an open question — but the precedent has been set.