text: The character has come to be used for specific nationality as well, with lǎo- functioning as a colloquial equivalent for -guórén: lǎoměi (), lǎomò (); even lǎozhōng () to refer to Chinese () themselves.
  Informality of the term
  The term is not considered necessarily offensive by those who choose to use it, but it may become so from context (tone, manner, situation, etc.). Among the Chinese, the term is informal and may be used in a neutral, genial, or even good-humored way. Varyingly, it is ironically embraced, begrudgingly accepted, openly resented or not minded at all among the Western expatriate community.
  The official Chinese press has expressed concern about inappropriate use of laowai and avoids it in all formal reporting.
  Mark Rowswell, known under the stage name Dashan, is one of the most famous Western nationals in China's media industry and has admitted a place for the term. However, he recognizes it as pejorative and stated that "it is the foreigners [in China] who can't speak any Chinese who are truly 'laowai'" (). Many take that as implying that the term laowai is one that many, including Dashan himself, would prefer to avoid.
  Editorials, written by Chinese and non-Chinese, have appeared in English- and Chinese-language newspapers about the subject, particularly around the time of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, when Chinese governments launched campaigns aimed at curbing use of the term in possibly-offensive situations.