The 19th Escort Fleet of the Chinese Navy evacuated 122 Chinese nationals, including seven women and one child, after arriving in the Gulf of Aden in Yemen, on March, 29 2015. [Photo by Xiong Libing/Asianewsphoto]

China has more citizens living outside the country than any other nation in the world.

With 50 million already residing abroad, this figure will increase in the coming years as more will head overseas for study, work or business.

In 2013, more than 98 million people from mainland traveled abroad, and over 20,000 Chinese companies established their branches across the five continents.

It is the duty of Chinese government to protect the overseas citizens and their properties and they have done a good job in that regard.

China has attached great importance to the protection of overseas Chinese citizens.

When Chinese leaders visit a country, they always meet the expatriates and pay close attention to their issues.

For example, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech in front of the Chinese community when he visited the US on September, 2015.

Moreover, consular services have improved gradually.

In 2006, the Chinese Foreign Ministry established the Division of Consular Protection and the Center of Consular Protection was founded a year later.

In September 2014, the Foreign Ministry established the Emergency Call Center of Global Consular Protection and Service, whose 24 hour-hotline, 12308, mainly serves overseas Chinese citizens and enterprises.

Thanks to the care and attention from leaders of the Party and the State Council, the regulations and institutions of consular protection experienced great promotion. As a result, the Chinese government managed to protect Chinese citizens effectively and enjoyed great success and compliments.

First, the action of protecting overseas Chinese citizens and their properties have been effectively carried out and the government has maintained the national interest and image in the meantime.

In 2015, China successfully rescued around 20 kidnapped citizens abroad. As a developing country, China’s international status and image have improved accordingly.

Furthermore, the Chinese government has efficiently protected overseas citizens, showing China’s powerful national capacity and enhancing the country’s international reputation.

The success of the evacuations of Chinese nationals in Lebanon, Vietnam and Nepal all demonstrate the efficiency of China’s government.

Another example was the evacuation action carried out in Yemen in April 2015. Chinese government successfully negotiated with the government and the rebels-the Houthis. The Chinese frigates faced no obstacles in the 220-mile way to rescue, which shows that the Party and government are determined to shoulder responsibility.

Last, the Chinese government has obtained rich experience in protecting overseas citizens and is gradually making progress in protecting overseas citizens in other countries. Thus, China has formed an image of a responsible power in the world and improved its soft power.

In the evacuation operation in Yemen, 225 citizens from 10 countries, such as Pakistan, Ethiopia, Singapore, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Canada, UK, and Yemen, left the war zone through Chinese frigates. This is definitely a humanitarian rescue operation, adding to China’s reputation as a responsible nation.

Zeng Wangmei contributed to the story.