Jinan University, founded in 1906, is the first overseas Chinese University in China. The university aimed at providing education for overseas Chinese offspring when first established. Thus, the Jinan University has an age-old tradition of overseas Chinese research.

          The Overseas Chinese Research Center at Jinan University was set up in July 1981 and is the first comprehensive academic institution focusing on overseas Chinese research in China. Its research includes the history and current situation of overseas Chinese, Chinese language education for overseas Chinese, the Chinese economy, the relationship between overseas Chinese and their hometowns, policies on overseas Chinese all over the world, overseas Chinese and China’s foreign relations, and so forth. The research is based on history and focuses on the current situation and the attached importance of the role of overseas Chinese in China’s foreign relations.

            The Center makes frequent contact with foreign academic institutions. It has sent many staff to various countries and regions for visiting, investigation, giving lectures and attending international academic conferences, including Australia, Japan, U.S., Mauritius, Holland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. The center sets up relationships with many overseas institutions and organizations and exchanges data. It also receives many groups of specialists and scholars from overseas every year.