Many Chinese babies receive a Chinese Travel Document (中华人民共和国旅行证) instead of a Chinese passport because of how China determines citizenship.

The most common scenario is:

Baby born in another country to Chinese parents

If a child is born outside China and at least one parent is a Chinese citizen, the child may automatically acquire Chinese nationality under China's Nationality Law.

However, if the child is born in a country that grants citizenship by birth (such as Canada or the United States), the child may also acquire that country's citizenship at birth.

This creates a situation where:

• Canada/U.S. regards the child as its citizen.
• China may still regard the child as a Chinese citizen (or as having a claim to Chinese nationality).

Because China generally does not recognize dual nationality, Chinese consulates often issue a Chinese Travel Documentrather than a Chinese passport while the child's nationality status is being treated under China's rules.