Continuing contributions
A Chinese citizen who keeps their nationality and settles abroad can generally continue to participate in the basic pension scheme and keep contributing, and can apply for the pension on reaching the statutory retirement age, subject to the contribution and residence rules of the local scheme.
Short contribution histories
Where total contributions fall short of the statutory minimum, extension or top-up arrangements may be available. Whether an individual can complete this without a mainland employing entity varies by locality, and that is the question to put to the local social insurance bureau — not to an online FAQ.
Where the pension is claimed
The place of claim follows a rule of longest contribution, and where that does not settle it, the place of the last contribution. For cross-border histories this decides which local scheme's rules apply, which in turn decides the paperwork.
Proof of life
Once a pension is already being drawn abroad, a periodic proof-of-life document is generally required. It is a small administrative step, but missing it interrupts payment.