Application for restoration of Chinese nationality and application for permanent residence status in China by foreign Chinese are two different concepts that need to be distinguished.

According to the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, a foreigner who once had Chinese nationality can apply for restoration of Chinese nationality with justifiable reasons. Applicants need to submit a series of documents, including the Application Form for Restoration of Nationality of the People's Republic of China, a copy of the foreign passport, and a conforming photograph, and submit the application to the local city or county public security bureau in China, or to the Chinese diplomatic representation and consular authorities overseas. It is important to note that once the restoration of PRC nationality is approved, the foreign nationality must be renounced.

根据《中华人民共和国国籍法》，曾经具有过中国国籍的外国人，可以在具有正当理由的情况下申请恢复中国国籍。申请人需要提交一系列材料，包括《恢复中华人民共和国国籍申请表》、外国护照复印件、符合规定的照片等，并在国内向当地市、县公安局递交申请，或在海外向中国外交代表机关和领事机关递交申请。需要注意的是，一旦批准恢复中华人民共和国国籍，就必须放弃外国国籍。

Foreign nationals may apply for permanent residency status in China, known as a "Chinese Green Card". This status is a proof of recognition by the Chinese government that allows foreigners to live, work and enjoy education, medical and social security services in China, just like holding a Chinese ID card. However, it does not mean that the expatriate's nationality has changed and he or she still belongs to the foreign status.

外籍人士可以申请中国永久居留身份，即“中国绿卡”。这项身份证明体现了中国政府对外籍人士的认同，可以让他们在华生活、工作和享受教育、医疗、社保等服务，和持有中国身份证一样。但是，这并不意味着外籍人士的国籍发生了改变，还是属于外籍身份。

However, in practice, obtaining Chinese permanent residency status can be helpful for foreign Chinese to restore their Chinese nationality. According to the regulations, public security departments can simplify the procedures and speed up the process. Specifically, foreign Chinese with permanent residence status in China do not need to provide documents such as proof of no crime abroad and proof of residence when submitting an application for restoration of Chinese nationality, but only documents proving their foreign status, which can simplify the application procedure and shorten the approval time accordingly.

但在实际操作过程中，获得中国永久居留身份对外籍华人恢复中国国籍有一定帮助。根据规定，公安部门可以简化手续、加快办理程序。具体而言，拥有中国永久居留身份的外籍华人在递交恢复中国国籍申请时，不需要再提供国外无犯罪证明、居住证明等材料，只需要提供证明其外籍身份的文件，申请程序可以更加简化，并且审批时间也会相应缩短。

The specific process of restoring Chinese nationality includes the following steps.具体的恢复中国国籍流程包括以下几个步骤。

1. Prepare the relevant documents and submit the application according to the "Application for Restoration of Chinese Nationality".

1.根据“恢复中国国籍申请须知”准备好相关材料并递交申请。

2. Wait 6-24 months for approval, during which time you will still be a foreign national and need to apply for a visa to enter or leave the country. If the application is approved, you will receive a document approving the reinstatement application and have it notarized.

2.等待6-24个月的审批，这段时间内仍然是外国籍身份，出入境需要申请签证，生活上无其他限制。如果申请被批准，会收到复籍申请批准文件并进行公证。

3. You will need to contact the foreign immigration office or the relevant government agency to apply for withdrawal of foreign citizenship.

3.需要联系外国移民局或相关政府部门，申请退出外国籍。

4. With the certificate of denaturalization, you will go to the immigration authorities to restore Chinese nationality and apply for an ID card and a Chinese hukou.

4.凭借退籍证明，到出入境管理机关恢复中国国籍，办理身份证和中国户口。

In conclusion, the restoration of Chinese nationality and the application for Chinese permanent residence status for foreign Chinese are different concepts and need to be distinguished. Although holding Chinese permanent residence status is not the same as having Chinese nationality, this status can, to a certain extent, simplify the application procedures for foreign Chinese to restore Chinese nationality and speed up the restoration process.

总之，外籍华人恢复中国国籍以及申请中国永久居留身份是不同的概念，需要注意区分。虽然持有中国永久居留身份不等于拥有中国国籍，但是这一身份可以在一定程度上简化外籍华人恢复中国国籍的申请手续，加速恢复过程。