Nationality
Under Egyptian law (Nationality Law No. 26 of 1975, amended by Law No. 154 of 2004)
- Any child born to an Egyptian father automatically acquires Egyptian nationality, regardless of the mother’s nationality or the place of birth.
- Dual nationality is possible, but inside Egypt, the child is treated as Egyptian only.
Under Chinese law (Nationality Law of the PRC, 1980)
- A child born to a Chinese mother automatically acquires Chinese nationality (jus sanguinis).
- However, if the child also has foreign nationality by descent (Egyptian), and if the child is registered with Chinese authorities, they are considered Chinese citizens.
- China does not recognize dual nationality in practice. So, inside China, the child is treated as Chinese only.
Result
The children are dual nationals in theory, but each country applies its own nationality exclusively on its soil.
- In Egypt → only Egyptian.
- In China → only Chinese.
Custody & Guardianship
In Egypt (Personal Status Law)
- Custody (ḥaḍāna) is given to the mother until the child is 15 years old, unless she is unfit.
- Guardianship (wilāya), meaning control over official decisions (passports, travel, education, financial affairs), is vested in the father.
- A mother cannot take the children out of Egypt without the father’s consent or a Family Court order