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China

China
	Capital	Beijing
	Population	1,338,612,968
	Area	9,596,960 sq km
	Language	Mandarin,Yue, other languages
	Currency	China Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
		1.000000Y (CNY) = 0.146489$ (USD)

China is enthralling…with its ancient culture, 57 ethnic groups, startling landscape and rapidly changing social and economic structure… you need to be adventurous to consider living here. About the same size as the US. China’s vast countryside is two thirds uninhabitable desert and mountain.
 
Many of the people from the underdeveloped and isolated Xingjiang province in the north west are Muslim and neither write nor speak Chinese….and way to the south and east the population is mostly crammed into crowded and polluted cities. The climate ranges from tropical in the east and south east to arctic in the northern desert wastelands.
 
The Han ethnic group makes up 99% of the population and of the 100 million people who make up the other 56 groups…each ethnic group speaks its own language, eats
its own type of food and specialises in its own art, music and entertainment. 80% of the population are involved in agriculture, which needs serious modernization before it becomes adequate to feed China’s one and a half billion people.
 
China's one child policy was established by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979 to limit communist China's population growth. Although designated a "temporary measure," it continues a quarter-century after its establishment. The policy limits couples to one child. Fines, pressures to abort a pregnancy, and even forced sterilization accompanies second or subsequent pregnancies.

China is opening up to the west at great speed and increasing numbers of expats and businesses, especially finance, shipping and IT, have established themselves in the country. The potential markets are huge. The great majority of resident foreigners are on temporary postings from their employment or are (mostly) youngsters who go there to teach English to fund their travels.
 
Corporate executives are mainly based in the cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, but there are other expats, those teaching English particularly, who may be based in more rural areas.
 
Thirty years ago China was teeming with bicycles and people in Mao suits; today absolutely anything goes – western clothes, fast foods, music, and much more.
 
Health and Senior Living
 
China is actually one of the most difficult countries to reside in, in terms of immigration and visas.
 
There is no retirement programme and you would normally have to be working or studying in China or be holiday, in which case you would have a L or tourist visa, which last from 3 to 6 months. This is still at the discretion of the immigration department at the time of application. Such a visa has to be applied for before entering the country.
 
To stay longer than this in the country you would need to apply for a business visa, again before arriving in the country…this is dependent on confirmation of employment in China. Once there, you apply for a residence visa.
 
The healthcare provision is generally basic and some clinics will not provide for foreigners. It is important therefore to have medical insurance in place…with coverage for going to somewhere like Hong Kong for treatment. Many big corporations employing large numbers of expatriates organise their own medical facilities.
 
If you are staying in China for any length of time and are on regular medication it would be prudent to take adequate supplies with you.
 
The cities are generally very polluted and overcrowded…the tap water is not safe to drink and many people find they start to suffer from respiratory problems, like asthma.
 
Infrastructure and Safety
 
Provision of utilities is relatively efficient especially in the cities. Beijing, Shanghai etc. Bottled gas is cheap and supplied on demand. Piped gas is available though not in rural areas.
 
Internet and phones are relatively good and mobile phones are the most popular form of communication. Internet is available in hotels and cafes in the main towns. If you install personal internet at home you are required by law to register with the public security authorities. The media is generally strictly controlled by the Chinese authorities although there are English Language newspapers in the main cities and BBC World Service and the Voice of America can be received in China.
 
The highway system is good, particularly between the main cities, although the most popular form of transport is the train, which is efficient with an extensive timetable countrywide. In cities, bicycles are used by the locals and for foreigners, taxis.
 
Property rentals are very high pretty much everywhere and apartments particularly in town tend to be small. Most foreigners rent as they are on short term employment contracts. There are no restrictions now on foreigners buying property in China but it is important to use a good agent and to have the proper searches done…take care with older properties as the government are entitled to compulsory purchase if the land is deemed useful for some other development.
 
China is generally safe for foreigners though pick pocketing is common and increasing especially in the main tourist areas in the cities.
 
Culture and People
 
China's culture is very different to that in the West; the concept of the group being more important than the individual is alien to foreigners, but it is important in all aspects of life.  Apart from in the workplace, few Chinese yet speak English so it is important to try and learn a little of the Chinese language…the dialect relevant to the area where you live.
 
Lack of personal freedom is also something a little alien to the foreigner…it is normal for foreign government officials, journalises and some businesses to be put under.
 
A posting to China would be an interesting opportunity, but is probably a lot more difficult for a foreigner to adapt to than most other locations due partly to the language, other cultural barriers and the overall restrictions. Most expatriates congregate in the areas where they reside and have developed a wide social network.  China would not be a cheap alternative to home.