The children of returned overseas Chinese are to receive the same compulsory education opportunities as local children in Guangzhou.

There are 1.1 million overseas Chinese residents in the capital of Guangdong Province, where the new rules were implemented last week.

Returned children of overseas Chinese citizens who have previously settled down in foreign countries are no longer subject to extra fees for attending government-funded primary and junior middle schools, an official of the Guangzhou Municipal Education Bureau told China Daily.

Those children previously had to pay an extra fee of 500 yuan (US$60) per term, unless they attended one of the few schools specially for them.

The rules, which took effect on March 1, were jointly issued by the education bureau and the Guangzhou Municipal Office for Overseas Chinese Affairs.

They also apply to returned children of Chinese with foreign citizenship.

The policy change follows the implementation of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Family Members of Overseas Chinese, which has applied since July last year, according to an official from the Municipal Office for Overseas Chinese Affairs.

In the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Middle School, there are 120 overseas Chinese children, including 58 at the junior part - more than any other school in Guangzhou.

Inquiries about attending schools in Guangzhou from overseas Chinese children has been on the rise with increasing interest.

Editor: Olivia