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9. Working in China

China at a Glance

Working in China

The Oriental Plaza is the epitome of a new, forward-thinking China.

Even after the global economic recession of the past few years, China’s economy seems to be back on the road to success. In 2010, China overtook its rival Japan to become the second biggest economy in the world. The labor force working in China then generated an estimated quarterly gross domestic product of a spectacular 1.33 trillion dollars or more. Once the official figures for the past year (i.e. 2011) are out, they might be even higher.

Although the general population working in China isn’t unaffected by the recent economic crisis, this does not necessarily impact foreign skilled employees, middle managers, and executives working in China. The unemployment rates apply especially to rural areas as well as seasonal migrant laborers working in China’s cities.

Working in China: Visa Requirements

If you consider working in China as an expat, you should have a carefully thought-out plan and down-to-earth expectations. Although working in China is far easier than it used to be, to qualify for a non-tourist visa essential for working in China (Z visa) you need an official invitation to the country, together with an employment license or special status as a “Foreign Expert”.

Some expats who dream of working in China might try to enter the country with an L visa for tourists or an F visa for business trips and attempt to start working in China within 30 to 180 days. Do not try this!

First of all, there is no guarantee that you’ll find yourself working in China soon. Moreover, the longer you stay without working in China, the greater your need for a financial cushion. And what is most important, even if you do find work within that period, you will have to leave the country and apply for a proper work visa first before you can return to start your job. Don’t take up gainful employment with anything but a Z visa. Chinese government bureaucracy isn’t known for its leniency in such matters.

Working in China: Professional Qualifications

So, unless you are feeling particularly adventurous or foolish, the most conventional way of working in China is actually the best. Start looking for a job in an FIE (a Foreign-Invested Enterprise) where the vast majority of all expatriates working in China are employed. Try to be patient and build up a network of contacts to help you find a suitable position and start working in China: Contacts are essential for job hunting and working in China.

With qualifications and professional experience in manufacturing, engineering, IT, production, product and quality management, you possess valuable “hard skills” for working in China. Some highly-qualified expatriates may be offered a job in a Chinese company, for instance, those working in China’s high-tech sector. However, this usually requires a decent knowledge of Mandarin. Chinese language skills will always give you a certain competitive edge for working in China.

Working in China: Expat Assignments

Traditional expat assignments used to be typical for foreigners working in China. For example, Siemens Ltd might send a couple of engineers with experience of working in the railroad construction industry to supervise the development of new high-speed trains for the Beijing-Tianjin connection on location. These highly-qualified employees would then be working in China in the role of project managers for one or two years.

However, these assignments are gradually being replaced by so-called “flexpats”. Foreign employees working in China are often hired without the usual perks and expat packages to more or less local conditions and sign their contract direct with a Chinese company.