Working in China

So, now you've got a job, know what awaits you in China while working there:

Currency

The currency in circulation in China is the Chinese yuan, or Renminbi yuan in Chinese, whose basic unit is yuan. One yuan consists of 10 jiao (dimes) or 100 fen (cents). The denominations of the Chinese yuan in bank notes are 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan. The bank notes of 1 jiao, 5 jiao and 1 yuan are being substituted for with coins of corresponding denominations.

Local Time

Beijing Time has been used as the national standard time across China although China is a large country. Beijing Time is eight hours earlier than the Greenwich Time.

Office Hours

In China, office hours in government departments run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The time from12:00 am to 1:00 pm is lunch time. The five days from Monday till Friday are working days.

The business hours for banks generally go from: 9:00 am to 12:00 am, and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Some banks closes Monday.

Department stores generally opens at 8:30 am or 9:00 am and closes at 8:30 pm or 9:30 pm. Business hours may last longer in summer.

Business centers and bars at hotels open 24 hours.

At state-run hotels, restaurants offer breakfast from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, lunch from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm and dinner from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A majority of the restaurants open from 6:00 am till late at night.

Emergency Services

During their travel and work in China, aliens may make emergency calls if they encounter robbery, fire, or other urgent matters. These special telephones are free.

In hotels, check-in counter and hotel managers can help you with medical care or call an ambulance. If you suddenly fall ill on way, you can ask the police or others for help. There are police booths along the streets and patrol police in busy streets in some major cities.

Electricity

China’s civil use electrical power is 220V, 50 HZ. Two types of voltage: 110V and 220V are provides for guests, particularly foreign guests in the washing rooms of top quality hotels. So make sure to check the voltages before using electrical appliances.

Drinking Water

In China, not all the tap water is drinkable, but bottling mineral water can be bought everywhere.

Official Holidays and Traditional Festivals

Holidays in China are occasions for family reunion and traveling, visiting. Some holidays are intended to mark major national events, others are traditional festivals of folk customs.

Since October 1999, China¡¯s official holidays have been extended from seven to ten days, including January 1, the first, second and third day of the first lunar month of the year, May 1, 2, and 3, and October 1, 2, and 3. The extension of the official holidays enables the Chinese people to have a longer vacation during Spring and Autumn. During these periods, the number of holiday makers suddenly grows and traffic is jam, so aliens planning to come to China for a travel may adjust their time to avoid inconvenience. 

What can I expect? 

Sure, China has crowds and cars causing quite a cacophony. But what about inside the office? If you have Chinese management above you, expect a lot of last-minute changes, "creative" payment and sometimes empty promises. Also expect a lot inefficiency and things not to get done. Some of this thinking stems from the "iron rice bowl" era where everyone was guaranteed a job, whether they worked or not. Many times, you will sign a contract for a year, six months or three months. Read these carefully. It is usually negotiable.  Working for a Chinese boos is more formal, the boss has more respect and power. Feedback is generally not encouraged from the lower echelons, including foreigners. However, this does not mean that you can't talk about problems that you are having and try to make them better. If the problem is with your boss, try to be respectful and reasonable. Otherwise, just leave. Foreign workers do not have much recourse to go after their Chinese bosses.

If you work for an embassy, thank your lucky stars that you do not have a Chinese boss, however do not expect that you may not have problems. Chinese people outnumber and sometimes unofficially run foreign embassies in China. 
 

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