guóji

Guójí, commonly written as 国籍 in Chinese, is the legal relationship between an individual and a state that defines which state has jurisdiction and provides protection to that person. It is often translated as nationality or citizenship and typically governs rights such as passport validity, the ability to reside and work, and eligibility to participate in political processes or receive consular assistance abroad. Nationality is a sovereign matter of each state and can be acquired, lost, or renounced under its laws.

Acquisition and loss of guójí can occur through several pathways. Many countries grant nationality by jus sanguinis (by descent) or by jus soli (by birth within the territory); some use a combination of both. Naturalization allows a foreign resident to obtain nationality after meeting residence, language, or integration requirements. Nationality can also be acquired through marriage, special government programs, or restoration in certain cases. Loss or renunciation of nationality may occur voluntarily or as a consequence of acquiring another nationality, or, in some jurisdictions, through official revocation.

Dual or multiple nationality policies vary widely. Some countries permit more than one nationality without restrictions, others restrict or prohibit it, and some require choosing one nationality after a certain period. The international community recognizes states’ rights to determine their nationality laws, but gaps or inconsistencies can lead to statelessness, which international law seeks to minimize, notably through the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

In practice, guójí affects access to travel documents, protection abroad, political rights, education, and social benefits, as well as duties such as taxes or military service in some countries. It is distinct from ethnicity or race, reflecting legal membership rather than cultural identity.