Howdy Folks,

Here is a translation I was given by a friend a few
years back, of the Chinese version of the "Guide for
Foreign Experts Working in China." I hope it is maybe
useful for you all. Thanks to Jeff Kruse for some
useful and professional editing. This was much
appreciated.

Wish you all a Happy Lunar New Year and a great
Chinese Year of the Wood/Green Monkey - Jia Shen.

Best Regards,

Jeffrey Rath
Graduate Studies Professor-Doctoral English
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Peking Union Medical College
A Rockefeller Foundation Institution
Beijing, PR China



Guide For
Foreign Experts Working In China


HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB IN CHINA
1. Personnel China Is Interested In
A. Technicians and Researchers above Middle Level:
Such people are needed for China’s key construction
projects and projects that have been introduced from
abroad. They should be able to help China in its
high-tech exploitation and key technical renovations
in large- and medium-sized enterprises. They are
required to guide and help China in its scientific
experiments, research and production.
B. Managerial Personnel above Middle Level:
Such professionals are needed to work as consultants
or managers in government organizations or
enterprises. They should be able to help China in the
reform of its economic structures and to improve
management to make it more scientific, modern and
effective both economically and socially.
C. University Teachers Majoring in Different Fields:
Universities in China need to employ foreign teachers
to introduce new fields of learning and to train
high-level talents. Those who are experienced in
teaching science and engineering, agriculture,
medicine, forestry, finance, trade, economic
management, monetary practices, business studies and
law have good chances of getting jobs in China.
Language teachers who specialize in English, Japanese,
German, Russian, French, Spanish and Arabian are also
needed in large quantities.
D. The high school and grade school need a great
quantities of language teachers specialized in
English.
E. Experienced journalists:
Such specialists are needed to help their Chinese
colleagues in language translation, editing and
polishing. They should be able to help their Chinese
counterparts improve their working ability and enable
them to grasp a better understanding of the languages.
2. State Institutions in Charge of Foreign Experts’
Affairs
The State Bureau of Foreign Experts’ Affairs is the
government organ under the State Council of the
People’s Republic of China, and it is in charge of
the administration of talent introduction and foreign
experts (including overseas Chinese and those from
Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). It is also in charge of
sending Chinese abroad for training and studying as
well as working out policies and regulations on talent
introduction, promoting technological results of
successfully introduced projects, coordinating talent
introduction work and supervising the work of the
units that are entrusted with introducing experts into
China.
The main duties of the bureau are as follows:
A. Studying and formulating principles, policies and
regulations on the introduction of foreign experts.
B. Working out long- and medium-term development
plans, examining and approving the annual plans of
each institution and organization concerning
employment of foreign experts as well as overseas
training plans.
C. Drawing up the yearly budget for talent
introduction and for foreign experts working in
cultural and educational fields. The bureau is also
responsible for allocating the budget and examining
how the fund is used.
D. Managing overseas training projects by formulating
policies and qualifications, organizing and
supervising such projects.
E. Coordinating, guiding and organizing major
talent-introducing projects and summing up
experiences.
F. Managing and exploiting talent-introduction
channels, establishing exchanges with foreign
governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is
also responsible for technical personnel exchanges
between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and for
examining and approving the organizations setup in
China by foreign experts.
G. Appraising and approving the qualification of work
units interested in inviting foreign experts, and of
domestic and foreign organizations interested in
introducing foreign experts into China. It is also
responsible for appraising the credibility of foreign
organizations willing to run technical training
programmes for China.
H. Supervising and examining how the principles,
policies, regulations and systems concerning the
administration of foreign experts are carried out,
exchanging experiences in this work and acting as
mediator and arbitrator when disputes concerning
foreign experts occur.
I. Breeding a market of foreign technical talents;
establishing and perfecting the foreign
talent-introduction system; managing the State-level
resources of foreign talents.
J. Setting up a promotion system for
talent-introduction projects, setting up the appraisal
and award system for contributions made by the
experts, providing all possible information to experts
working in China.
3. Documents and Materials Applicants Should Produce
A resume and other relevant documents should be
submitted with the application. The resume should
contain the following information:
A. Name, sex, nationality, date and place of birth,
present address and occupation;
B. Academic records from universities or colleges,
research institutes, major courses followed and
degrees obtained;
C. Professional record;
D. Titles and dates of articles published, name of
publisher and a brief description of contents;
E. Current state of health and list of previous
illnesses;
Date of arrival and intended duration of stay in China
F. Type of work and department, etc. sought in China;
G. Details of spouse and children: name, date of
birth, nationality, state of health, educational
level, and whether they will accompany the applicant
to China;
H. Personal academic or technical specialties;
I. Details of special interests, abilities and other
languages known, and degree of fluency.
Other documents should include the following:
A. Copies of academic records, graduation
certificates and diplomas and
letters of recommendation from places of work
or academic departments;
A. Other legal certificates.






LAWS AND REGULATIONS ON THE ENTRY AND EXIT OF FOREIGN
EXPERTS
1. Different Types Of Visas Available
According to the “Detailed Regulations on
Implementing the Law of the People’s Republic of
China on Entry and Exit of Aliens” approved by the
State Council on December 3, 1986, aliens coming to
China should apply for visas to China’s departments
of foreign affairs or overseas organizations entrusted
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aliens who are on urgent missions and have been unable
to obtain visas before traveling to China, can apply
for visas at the port of entry on condition that they
present invitation letters from authoritative Chinese
organizations and hold passports delivered by
countries which have diplomatic relationships or
formal trade relationship with China.
The Chinese government and departments concerned
would, in accordance with the applicants’ identities,
planned length of stay in China, their purpose and
type of passports they hold, deliver different types
of visas.
Different types of ordinary visas are delivered to
applicants according to their different purposes and
each type is marked with a big letter:
Visa D is issued to those who come to China for
permanent residence.
Visa Z is issued to those who come to work in China.
Their accompanying family members receive the same
kind of visas.
Visa X is issued to those who come to China to study
or practice as interns for more than six months.
Visa F is issued to those who come to China to visit,
teach, do business, or for cultural, scientific or
technological exchanges for less than six months.
Visa L is issued to those who come to China to travel,
visit friends and relatives or to deal with some
private matters. A group visa can be obtained if more
than nine people come together for travel.
Visa G is issued to those who need a stopover in
China.
Visa C is delivered to the crews of airplanes, trains
and boats who are on regular visits to China. Families
of the crews accompanying them are issued with the
same type of visa.
Visa J-1 is issued to foreign resident journalists in
China, and Visa J-2 to foreign journalists who come to
China to gather news.
According to the above regulations, foreign experts
who come to China for long-term service should apply
for Visa Z on their entry. Those who are invited to
visit, teach or participate in the exchange of
science, technology and culture and stay in China for
a short term should apply for Visa F on entry.
2. The people who are to work in China for more than 6
months, should apply for Visa Z to China’s
departments of foreign affairs or overseas
organizations entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. They should present their invitation letters,
valid passports and certificates, and Foreign Experts
Affairs Invitation Confirmation.
3. Foreign Experts Invitation Confirmation
This certificate is to be presented when a foreign
experts applies for Visa Z. it proves that the State
Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs agrees that the
holder comes to China as an expert (accompanied by
his/her family members ) and asks the Chinese Embassy
or Consulate to issue Visa Z according to the
regulations concerned.
This certificate can be obtained by the inviting work
unit, which applies for it to the State Bureau of
Foreign Experts Affairs and the departments of foreign
affairs entrusted by the Bureau, and sends the
original copy to the expert.
This certificate should be presented with the
invitation letter and cannot replace it.
This certificate can only be used by experts who have
obtained approval to work in China while applying for
Visa Z. it is needed by the expert when applying for
Visa Z, not by other aliens to apply for Visas F or L.
This certificate can only be issued by The State
Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs. The departments of
foreign affairs of provinces, autonomous regions and
cities, and ministries under the State Council, their
subordinate offices, units and international
cooperative sections can also issue the certificate to
the experts who come to work in their areas or units.
4. Foreign Residence Permits
According to the “Detailed Regulations on
Implementing the Law of the People’s Republic of
China on Entry and Exit of Aliens”, a foreign expert
with Visa Z should apply for residence permit to the
local police station. He or she is required to present
his or her passport, Visa Z, foreign Experts
Certificate, Aliens Health Record, introduction letter
from the work unit along with 2 personal photos. He or
she has also to fill out an application form.
When the expert with a residence permit leaves the
service place, he or she should be registered for
contemporary residence in the target place. Foreign
experts holding Visa F should also apply for
contemporary residence when they need to stay in China
longer.
5. Foreign Experts Certificate
This certificate is necessary for foreign experts
working in China to prove their identity and apply for
residence permits. To apply for it, the work unit
should present the introduction letter from the
authoritative agent; cultural and educational experts
should present the contract, agreement between the
governments or universities, Visa Z or its duplicate,
and 2 personal photos.
This certificate is valid ofr one year at most. When
it expires, it should be renewed, otherwise it will be
invalid. When work units change, the certificate
should be returned to the issuer and a new one applied
for in the new woek place.
6. Foreign Experts ID Card
This allows foreign experts, who come to work in China
for the first time, to enjoy preferential treatment at
customs. Its holders will be allowed to bring in a
reasonable amount of daily necessities for personal
use free of duty.
This certificate is issued by the State Bureau of
Foreign Experts Affairs, and by offices of foreign
affairs in provinces, regions and cities. Experts who
want to bring in duty-free necessities can inform
their work units beforehand.
7. Categories of People Denied entry to China
“The Detailed Regulations on Implementing the Law of
the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit of
Aliens” regulated that following people are denied
entry into China:
Those who have been expelled by the Chinese
government.
Those who come to engage in terrorism, violence or
subversion.
Those who come to engage in drug trafficking or
prostitution.
Those who suffer from mental disorders, leprosy, AIDS
and other contagious diseases.
Those who do not have sufficient financial means to
support themselves in China.
Those who come to engage in activities that are
dangerous to State security or benefits.
8. Categories of Aliens Denied Exit from China
According to Chinese laws, the following aliens are
denied exit from China:
A. Defendants who are involved in criminal lawsuits
and those strongly suspected by public security
bureaux, courts or procuratorates as having been
involved in criminal cases.
B. Those who are involved in some unconcluded civil
cases and have been served notices by the People’s
Courts.
C. Those who have broken Chinese laws and are waiting
for trial.
Not until the relevant lawsuits and civil cases have
been concluded, not until the reasons that prevent
their exits have disappeared, are those involved
allowed to leave China, with approval of concerned
Chinese departments.
9. Regulations and Procedures on Applying for Entry
Visas on Arrival at Ports
Aliens who hold invitation letters from authoritative
Chinese organizations and valid passports delivered by
countries that have diplomatic relationships or
official trade relationship with China can apply for
entry visas after arriving at ports on following
conditions:
Those who are invited at short notice to attend trade
fairs.
Those who come to make a bid or to sign economic and
trade contracts and agreements with Chinese partners.
Those who are invited to supervise the loading and
unloading of imports or exports or to examine the
quality of imported goods and projects.
Those who are invited to fix equipment or to carry out
emergency repairs.
Those who are invited to deal with damage claims.
Those who are invited to provide timely scientific and
technological advice.
Those who come as substitutes to members of groups
that are already in existence for a considerable time.
Such changes however, should have been approved by the
inviting organizations and persons.
Those who come to visit patients who are in a critical
condition; those who come for funeral ceremonies.
Those who are here for transit, but, because of force
majeure cannot leave China within 24 hours by any
transportation means.
Those who do not have enough time to apply for entry
visas from entrusted overseas departments, and who
hold telexes or telegrams from authoritative Chinese
departments approving them to apply for visas on
arriving at the port.
Those who fail to present invitation letters from
authoritative Chinese organization will be denied
entry visas at the port.
The office entrusted by the Ministry of Public
Security to issue visas are at the ports of Beijing,
Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Xi’an,
Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Guangzhou (Baiyun Airport),
Shenzhen (Luohu, Shekou), Zhuhai (Gongbei), Haikou,
Sanya, Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai.
Other denied visas at the port of arrival will be
those who hold diplomats’ passports, business
passports, officer’s passports and special passports;
those who hold ordinary passports of countries that do
not have diplomatic relationships with China and those
whose entry should be denied according to regulations.
Those who are denied entry visas are required to leave
China within a regulated time by the same transport
means at their own cost.
10. Customs Regulations on Foreign Experts’ Bringing
in/Taking out Daily Necessities
Foreign experts who come to China for long-term
service are allowed to bring in daily necessities for
personal use duty-free on condition that such items
don’t exceed reasonable quantities. Soon after their
arrival, foreign experts, with their foreign experts’
ID cards and residence permits, can apply to the
Customs regarding their personal daily necessities.
According to the Custom regulations, Usually only one
item of each kind of durable goods and electronic
appliance are allowed in, however, if one can convince
the Customs that more than one item is duty free
importation. The luggage shipped separately should get
to port within six days if the declarers’ arrival to
make sure that duty-free allowances are accorded to
them.
Each foreign expert’s household can import one car,
though duties are to be paid.
Foreign experts working in China, on returning to
China after a short visit to other countries and
regions (including Hong Kong and Macao) are treated as
short-time visitors and are allowed to bring in only
as necessities for travel. If foreign experts are
taking out consumer durables, which have been allowed
in free of duty, for short trips abroad and intend to
bring them back in on returning, they should declare
these items to the Customs on their departure. Failure
to declare these subjects would mean payment of duty
upon return. Unless clearly restricted by the State,
foreign experts are free to carry out their
properties.
11. Customs Regulations on Foreign Experts’ Bringing
in/Taking out Gold, Silver and Products Made Thereof
Foreign experts should declare to the Customs the
gold, silver and articles made of them upon entering
China. Such articles are allowed in free of duty if
they are in reasonable quantities for personal use. If
deemed to exceed reasonable quantities, they can be
allowed in after duties are paid in accordance with
regulations. The duty-free articles, once allowed in,
are at the owners’ free disposal. If these articles
are to be brought out upon experts’ departure from
China, the declaration forms filled on arrival at the
port of entry should be shown to the Customs officers.
Those who have failed to declare to the Customs the
amount of gold, silver and articles made of them and
those who are carrying out more than they have
declared on arrival, will not be allowed to carry the
precious metals out. Foreign experts who have bought
gold and silver ornaments with foreign currencies they
had brought in can carry these articles out by
presenting to the Customs the special receipts
provided by sellers authorized to sell such articles.
12. Articles Foreign Experts are not Allowed to Bring
in:
A. Various weapons, including model weapons,
ammunition and explosives;
B. Counterfeit money and negotiable securities;
C. Publications, films, photos, gramophone records,
movies, tapes, video tapes, CD discs, software and
other products that are considered harmful to Chinese
politics, economics, culture and morality;
D. Deadly poisons;
E. Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana and other
narcotics that may draw addicts;
F. Animals and plans that might carry dangerous germs
or insects;
G. Food, medicine and other products from areas
affected by epidemic diseases that are considered
harmful to human health;
H. Goods and articles that foreign experts are
prohibited from carry9ing out of the country.
13. Items Foreign Experts are Prohibited from Carrying
out
According to the concerned regulations of the Customs
of the People’s Republic of China, foreign experts
are prohibited from carrying out the following items
from the country;
A. Items that they are prohibited from bringing into
the country;
B. Manuscripts, publications, films, photos,
gramophone records, movies, tapes, video tapes, CD
discs and computer software that are connected with
State secrets;
C. Precious cultural relics and other relics that are
prohibited from being exported;
D. Precious animals and plants that are in imminent
danger of extinction, their seeds and materials for
their propagation.
14. Regulations on Foreign Experts’ Carrying Cultural
Relics out of the Country
Foreign experts intending to carry or mail cultural
relics (including paintings and calligraphic works by
established artists who have passed away) out of the
country should see to it that the articles have been
appraised by the relevant cultural relics
administrative departments. Such departments are now
available in the port cities of Beijing, Tianjin,
Shanghai and Guangzhou. Carrying cultural relics out
of the country, one had to declare to the Customs
while showing the appraisal marks on the relics as
well as the “export permission” delivered by the
concerned departments. Cultural relics that have not
been appraised or are not allowed to carried or mailed
out of the country should be registered at the Customs
and be returned to the appointed organizations or
persons within China. On some occasions, such items
can be bought (even by force) by the concerned
departments in the Customs.
15. Chinese Laws and Regulations on Foreign Experts’
Bringing in animals and Plants
According to the “Chinese Quarantine Law on Importing
and Exporting Animals and Plants,” those wanting to
bring in animals, plants, plant seeds and propagating
materials should apply for permission and undergo
necessary examination procedures. Foreign experts
intending to bring in animals and plants should
entrust their Chinese employees or inviting
organizations to help them complete such quarantine
procedures before their arrival. What should be
reminded here is that following items are prohibited
from being carried into China;
A. Pathogen of animals or plants, insects or living
things that are harmful;
B. Animals and plants from areas that have been
infected by epidemic diseases;
C. Dead bodies of animals;
D. Soil.
11. Quarantine Regulations
According to the “Quarantine Law of the People’s
Republic of China,” all people entering or leaving
the country, their transportation tools, baggage,
cargoes and postal parcels that could spread epidemic
diseases should undergo quarantines in appointed
areas. Except navigators, all other personnel should
get permission from quarantine officers before they
can disembark from their transportation, load or
unload their cargo, luggage and postal parcels.
Passengers on ships and aviation equipment that have
to cast anchor or land in ports closed to aliens
should not leave their transportation means or load
and unload cargo, luggage and postal parcels unless
they obtain special permission from quarantine
offices. Organizations and individuals who break the
following regulations will be cautioned or fined;
A. Those who evade quarantine or try to cover facts;
B. Those who leave or get board transportation means,
load or unload cargo, luggage and postal parcels
without permission from quarantine officers.
Those who refuse to accept fines by the quarantine
organizations should sue the organizations or the
officers to the local People’s Court within wix days
after receiving their penalty notice. Those who fail
to sue within the period and rdfuse to be fined will
be forced to pay by the People’s Court at the request
of the quarantine offices.
Those who violate rules and endanger the public by
spreading epidemic diseases will be punished according
to the law.


Foreign experts are entitled to the above holidays and
many activities are arranged both locally and
nationally to which experts will be invited. In
addition, experts are entitled to holidays on
occasions of important festivals in their own
countries, such as Christmas, Corban, etc. work
schedules must be arranged to fit in with such
holidays, as the Chinese do not normally celebrate
them.
5. Salaries and Living Conditions of Foreign Experts
in China
Salary scales for foreign experts in China are at
present divided into two categories:
The First Category
This category covers those invited directly by work
units in China. Their salaries are paid in two ways:
The work unit directly pays the experts a salary or
living expenses, and indirectly pays for the experts’
accommodation, cost of transport to and from work, and
medical expenses according to the Chinese medical care
system.
The category is further divided into three
subcategories;
C. Experts in Cultural and Educational Fields
These are defined as those who are invited directly by
work units in China to teach in universities and
colleges of higher education or various training
schools or centres, and translators and editors in the
news, television, broadcasting and publishing fields.
According to the invitee’s professional level, post
held, and academic background and experience, he or
she will be paid a salary of between 2,200 and
6,000RMB yuan per month. For every year’s work
completed, the equivalent of half a month’s salary is
paid as a departure allowance.
Accommodation will be provided for the invitee and all
related costs met, as well as for his or her spouse
and children not over the age of 12 of agreed by the
inviting party.
The inviting party will pay travel expenses to and
from work.
The inviting party will pay medical expenses incurred
by the invitee and his or her family, as stipulated in
the regulations of the Chinese medical system.
Invitees working for over one year, or over one
academic year, will be provided with an economic class
return air ticket for themselves and their families.
If invitees wish to purchase their own tickets, the
inviting party will pay in RMB yuan the equivalent
cost of an economic call air fare by the most direct
route.
Invitees are entitled to one month’s leave during
their year of work. In the case of those working in
educational institutions, vacations are the same as
those of the college. Salary is paid during leave and
an additional leave allowance is provided.
If the invitee travels by air to China, the inviting
party will bear the transportation cost of 24
kilograms of luggage by air. In the case of an invitee
travelling with more than three members of his or her
family, the inviting party will pay for the
transportation by air of not more than 72 kilograms of
luggage.
Invitees’ income in China will be taxed according to
the “Personal Income Tax Law of the People’s
Republic of China.”
D. Short-Term Experts
These are defined as those invited directly by Chinese
work units to give lectures, to direct scientific
research and production, to set up specialist training
schools, to take part in technological exchanges of a
non-trade nature or to participate in research
projects.
The inviting party will pay the invitee the cost of
food, accommodation and transport to and from work
during the period of his or her stay in China, and
will also provide an allowance for day-to-day
expenses.
Emergency medical treatment will be provided in part
or in full according to the Chinese medical system, or
according to the invitees’ personal medical
insurance, or both.
Emergency medical treatment will be provided in part
or in full according to the Chinese medical system, or
according to the invitees’ personal medical
insurance, or both.
The invitee will, in principle, be responsible for his
or her own travel costs to and from China, although
this matter is open to negotiation between the two
parties.
E. Other Experts
These are defined as middle or senior level managerial
or technical personnel invited directly by Chinese
work units. Their salaries are usually higher than
those of experts in cultural and educational fields.
However, they must, in principle, pay their own
expenses although the inviting party may in some cases
bear the costs of transport to ,from and within China,
accommodation, and medical treatment according to the
Chinese medical system. Their salaries in China are
subject to personal income tax according to the
“Personal Income Tax Laws of the People’s Republic
of China.”
The Second Category
This category covers those experts sent directly by
foreign institutions, governments, non-governmental
organizations, or under exchange agreements with
Chinese organization. Salaries and living conditions
in this category are decided by special agreement or
under relevant clauses in the contract.
Additional Remarks
China is undertaking reforms in its economic
mechanism, thus the working and living conditions of
foreign experts in China are subject to changes. Such
changes are to make treatment more reasonable and
appropriate.
Salaries of foreign experts shall be decided through
mutual consultation and stated in the agreement
reached or contract signed by both sides. Salaries are
likely to vary under different conditions.
7. Accommodation
According to the relevant regulations of the People’s
Republic of China, foreign experts cannot rent and
live in ordinary apartments. Such a rule is enforced
out of consideration of administration, as well as to
ensure the experts’ security in China. At present,
accommodations for foreign experts are mostly provided
by inviting parties. They are usually of three types.
At the place of work ,in either a specially built or
converted building.
At foreign experts’ reception centres.
In hotels or guest houses, depending on whether the
unit has appropriate accommodation.
All types have bathrooms, and the rooms vary in size
and number. They are furnished with desks, sofas,
bookshelves, TV sets, refrigerators and central
heating and air-conditioning.
8. Public Security
Comparatively speaking, public security in China is
well-under control. However, foreign experts are
cautioned to take good care of their personal safety.
One should be cautious in dealing with strangers.
China’s foreign currency system has been changed from
the previous dual-track to the present single track
one, and exchange rages are released every day. To
convert money, foreign experts are recommended to go
to banks or exchange desks in the hotels. To convert
money on black markets may result in the experts being
cheated. To ensure that foreign experts as well as
their belongings are safe and sound, guards are
usually available in their living places, and visitors
are usually required to register while the non-regular
residents are not allowed to live in the same
apartments without permits. Understanding and
co-operation are needed to make the apartments well
managed.
9. Hiring Housekeepers and Baby Sitters
In China, those who are willing to work as
housekeepers or baby sitters are usually from the
countryside. Foreign experts wanting to hire such
helping hands are recommended go to the inviting party
for help. The inviting parties should be helpful in
finding satisfactory domestics. Alternatively, foreign
experts can go to local labour service companies who
can introduce reliable housekeepers or baby sitters To
look for a helping hand in the street would likely end
in disappointment because of lack of mutual
understanding and communication.
10. Children’s Schooling
China operates a nine-year compulsory education and
all children above the age of six should to go school.
Children of foreign experts In China can also attend
local schools.
The present Chinese educational system consists of six
years’ primary followed by six years’ secondary
schooling, and then two to three years’ vocational
training in higher education or four years as an
undergraduate at a university. Master’s and Doctor’s
degrees take two to three years as a rule. The
academic year is divided into two terms, from the
beginning of September until January or February, when
there is about three weeks winter vacation, and then
from February of March until July. Summer vacation is
usually about 45 days, although it is longer in the
South than the North, where the winter vacation is
longer. The vacations enjoyed by the teachers are
usually three weeks less than the students.

23. Personal Income Tax
Tax collection is the main source of State revenue as
well as an effective means of employing macro-control
over economic development to meet the needs of
establishing a socialist market economy, deepening the
reforms and to make sure that tax collection plays its
due role, a new personal income tax law came into
effect on January 1 1994.
According to Article One of the “personal Income tax
Law of the People’s Republic of China,” those who
have lived in China for over one year, irregardless of
whether they have a regular abode are subject to
personal income tax in accordance with the income they
receive either from China or outside China.
Those who have lived in China for less than one year,
irregardless of whether they have a regular abode, are
obliged to pay personal income tax in accordance with
the income they earn in China. Those who have been in
China for less than three months, if they are paid
abroad by their employers abroad, are exempt from
taxation in China.
The following incomes are to be taxed:
Salaries and wages;
Incomes from self-employed business activities;
Incomes from contracted management of enterprises;
Incomes from offering labour services;
Contribution fees;
Incomes from using special rights;
Interests, dividends and bonuses;
Incomes from property leasing;
Incomes from property transfer;
Unexpected incomes;
Other incomes from the taxed approved by concerned
departments of the State Council.
According to the “Personal Income Tax Law of the
People’s Republic of China” the following foreigners
are subject to taxation:
Those who work for foreign invested enterprises in
China;
Those employed by Chinese enterprises, work units,
social organizations, and State departments as
experts;
Those who adopt China as their permanent residence but
get their income by working abroad;
Those specified by the Ministry of Finance.
To encourage the introduction of foreign talents,
favorable personal income tax regulations have been
employed.
Foreign experts, invited by the concerned units and
departments of China, are subject to taxation.
24. Insurance
Chinese insurance companies cover a large business
scope. Foreign experts working in China are
recommended to buy the following insurances;
Property insurance;
Personal accident insurance;
Vehicle insurance;
Employer responsibility insurance;
Public responsibility insurance;
Investment insurance (political risks).
The People’s Insurance Company of China (PICC) has
opened dozens of branches in Beijing and other major
cities to cater to the needs of foreign customers.
25. Foreign Exchange Control and the Foreign Expert ID
Card
For many years, China’s foreign exchange control was
conducted under a dual system. Since April 1, 1994, a
single track system has been employed which is
expected to contribute to the country’s opening-up
policy as well as trade with other countries and
regions.
Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) was a product of
certain historic conditions. First coming into
circulation in April 1980, FEC was designed to provide
convenience to visitors from abroad. Though no new FEC
is being issued, the circulation of that in existence
is to be continued.
Most of the appointed banks have money exchange
facilities while there are foreign exchange desks in
hotels and guest houses.
Foreign experts working in China enjoy favourable
treatment in shopping, money exchange and travel. To
ensure a better macro-management, the “Foreign
Expert’s ID Card” is provided for them.
The “Foreign Expert’s ID Card” has two types, type
one, for those employed in cultural and educational
units, and type two, for those employed in economic
and technological capacities.
The former is for foreign experts who work for Chinese
institutions of education, news and publication,
culture and arts, health and medical care and sports.
The latter is designed for technical experts who work
for Chinese commercial and business enterprises, or in
the field of technology and management, who need to
buy foreign exchanges.
Holders of the “Foreign Expert’s ID Card” enjoy
favourable rates of fees and fares when taking trains,
boats, staying in hotels and when visiting tourist
attractions-same as the local Chinese.
Foreign experts invited by trading or non-trading
Chinese organizations, can buy foreign currencies by
presenting their “Foreign Expert’s ID Card.”
Foreign experts invited by departments whose budgets
come from the State, can buy foreign currencies
according to “Temporary Regulations on the Management
of Non-Trading Foreign Currencies” issued by the
Ministry of Finance.

28. Extending One’s Contract in China
Foreign experts wishing to extend their service in
China after their contract comes to and end, can
consult with the leaders of the unit they work for if
they want to stay in the same unit. If they wish to
work for some other unit, they should go to some
intermediate organizations for registration, or they
can apply to the State Bureau of Foreign Experts’
Affairs. Such service-extension applications should be
handed over to concerned departments long before the
end of their service term to leave enough time to
arrange new employment. If their original work units
agree to extend the foreign experts’ service term, or
if the experts get a new job in China, new contracts
will still have to be signed between the two parties.
What’s more, visas and resident permits are to be
extended.
29. On Leaving China
The following preparations have to be made before
leaving China:
Routes and Tickets
If the ticket home is to be paid by the inviting unit
according to contract, then it will be economic class
and will be by the shortest and most direct route.
Visas
Experts can apply for visas with their passports and
residence permits. On leaving China, their residence
permits will be withdrawn by the frontier inspection
officials. Experts wishing to return to their own
countries can ask their embassies in China to assist
them with any problems that may arise. Those who
embassies of those countries in China for information.
It is better to do so well in advance since
formalities sometimes take time.
“Left-over” Belongings
Any duty-free items, in special Customs status
categories, or items that the baggage declaration form
states must be taken out of the country, which experts
do not with to take back with them, are normally not
allowed to be sold or donated to individuals or units
without prior permission from the Customs office.
Items to be sold should usually be done at appointed
stores or to the local foreign goods purchasing
departments ,and duties for special items should be
repaid according to the Customs law. All receipts for
such transactions must be kept and produced for
reinspection at Customs on departure. Customs approval
has to be given if experts wish to present some of
their duty-free items to their work units in China.
Most o the big cities have consigning companies which
should be able to help experts with shipping large and
heavy articles that experts find hard to handle.


CUSTOMES REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA CONCERNING THE ENTRY AND EXIT OF FOREIGN EXPERTS
1. Foreign experts who are employed to work in China
(hereinafter referred to as “experts”), upon their
entry into or exit from China, shall complete a
“Baggage Declaration Form” (hereinafter referred to
as “Declaration Form”) on which they shall declare
baggage and articles brought in or out. All baggage
and articles shall be presented to the Customs for
examination.
If experts, upon their entry or exit, have any
unaccompanied baggage or belongs, they shall clearly
state their number on the Declaration Form. Upon the
arrival or departure of the baggage or articles, the
experts shall declare and present them to the Customs
for examination. Only if they are shipped in or out
within six months from the date on which the experts
enter or leave China can duty-free allowances be
accorded to them by the Customs,. In accordance with
Customs regulations.
2. If the baggage and articles broutht in by experts
are in reasonable quantities for personal use, they
shall be admitted free of duty. Consumer durables such
as domestic electrical appliances shall be limited to
one for each category specified by the Customs. Those
articles being brought or sent in which are not part
of the duty-free allowances but are for personal use
shall be admitted by the Customs on payment of duties.
Consumer durables both carried personally and shipped
in as unaccompanied baggage shall be aggregated in the
duty-free allowance by the Customs.
The Declaration Form filled in by experts upon their
first entry into China shall be endorsed by the
Customs and the stamped copy shall be issued to the
experts who should keep them. Experts must produce it
for inspection by Customs when they import
unaccompanied baggage before leaving China, and it
must be returned upon experts’ departure to customs
at the place of exit.
Those experts in possession of long-term Residence
Cards or who are planning to take up permanent
residence in China can apply to the designated customs
offices for tax-free admission of cars for personal
use (only one car per expert).
3. Experts who have been to Hong Kong, Macau or places
outside China for short stays and who bring in baggage
and effects upon their re-entry during the time of
employment in China, shall produce for inspection the
copy of the Declaration Form retained by them and
endorsed by the Customs at their first entry I order
to complete admission procedures.
Of experts leaving China for short trips take out
consumer durables which have admitted free of duty and
bring them in again upon their reentry, they shall
make a statement on the Declaration Form upon their
exit so that the Customs can clear the said durables
against the Declaration Form upon re-entry. Otherwise
the said durables shall be readmitted on payment of
duties or free of duty in accordance with the
regulations.
4. Experts or their work unit should inform beforehand
ports in China to which articles are to be posted from
abroad so that they can be accorded preferential
tariff treatment.
5. Gold and silver as well as articles made thereof
brought in by experts shall not be subject to any
quantity limitations, but shall be declared to the
Customs office at the port of entry and cleared after
the Customs offices register their description, number
and weight. Those which are taken out again shall be
checked and cleared by the Customs against the
quantities and weights registered on the Declaration
Form at the time of entry. Those which are not
declared or registered by the Customs at the time of
entry or any excess over the quantities and weights
which wee declared and registered by the Customs shall
not be allowed to be taken out.
Gold and silver ornaments (including new pieces of
inlaid lacquerware and household utensils) which have
been bought in China with foreign exchange brought in
by experts and which are to be carried, posted or
shipped out of China shall be checked and cleared by
Customs against the Special Invoices issued by
China’s gold and silver shops (Special Invoices are
designed and printed centrally by the Bank of China
and distributed by its local branches). If the Special
Invoices cannot be produced for Customs clearance,
these articles shall not be permitted to be carried or
posted out of China.
6. If the experts carry with them, ship or post any
cultural relics out of China, including fossils,
pottery and porcelain ware, copperware, gold or
silverware, furniture, calligraphy, paintings,
rubbings from stone inscriptions or stone engravings,
books, documents and reference materials, woven
articles or embroidery, writing utensils, they shall
be first checked by administration departments in
charge of cultural relics and then declared to the
Customs by the experts or their agents at the time of
exit. The Customs will examine and clear them only if
they have seals affixed to them and stamped invoices
to say that they were purchased with Foreign Exchange,
or against the Export Certificates for Cultural Relics
issued by the administration departments in Charge of
cultural relics.
7. If at the time of entry or exit any articles that
are prohibited to be taken into or out of China are
declared to Customs, the said articles shall be held
by the customs and returned either abroad or within
China within a fixed time limit. However, articles
held that are detrimental to China’s politics,
economy, culture, morality or public heath shall not
be returned by the Customs.
Articles (including consumer durables) and cars which
have been admitted free of duty shall not be sold to
any units or other individuals within China’s
territory without permission. If they need to be sold,
experts shall file an application with the Customs and
after obtaining approval from the Customs may sell
them to those departments purchasing foreign articles
designated by the local people’s governments. The
duties and taxes on the sold articles shall be made
good in accordance with the corresponding regulations.