Hearing that China officially began implementing its Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in China, world-famous mathematician Chen Xingshen (Shiing-Shen Chern), a Chinese-American, submitted his application documents to Tianjin entry/exit authority on September 3, becoming one of the first foreigners applying for Chinese "Green Card". This is the second time for Chen's application according to the new regulation after gaining permanent residence in 2000.

As "Father of differential geometry", Chen created Nankai Mathematics Research Institute in 1985, and is now honorary president of the Institute and a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. After returning from overseas in 2000, Chen settled down in Nankai University, Tianjin. In the same year, he was granted according to law permanent residence in China for his outstanding contribution to the country.

Permanent residence is a kind of qualification of unlimited stay in a country granted by a government according to law to foreigners who meet a certain requirements. The permanent residence permit issued is what we call "green card". By now Tianjin city has seen 11 foreigners applying for "green cards" in China.

(People's Daily September 8, 2004)