The International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas, the first and only international scholarly organization for the advancement of research on Chinese overseas, was established in August 1993. It is composed of scholars actively engaged in research and teaching on Chinese overseas in countries throughout the world.

ISSCO is a non-political, non-stock, non-profit, professional society composed of individuals, organizations and institutions interested in and committed to:

1. promoting research and international scholarly exchange in the study of Chinese overseas,
2. providing means for research and publications, and
3. organizing and supporting national and international conferences on the ethnic Chinese in the world.

It is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors, representing all six continents and three areas of China, namely Xiamen, Taipei and Hong Kong.