Chinese Proficiency Criterion aims at making definitions and descriptions of Chinese speakers’ different language proficiency levels, so that it can provide a unified standard referencing system for Chinese language teaching, learning and testing, as well asthe consultation for the development of national language policies. The subjects that the Chinese profi ciency criterion target at are Han Chinese, ethnic minorities within China, overseas Chinese and foreign learners. This study describes the necessity and feasibility ofestablishing Chinese profi ciency standards from the perspective of global Chinese. Based on extensive review of the existing language testing systems both overseas and in China, the paper also proposes a framework of developing Chinese proficiency criterion and research methodology and procedures.