Since you landed in China, you spend 2 or 3 hours everyday (or more…) to check your emails at Starbucks or any other bar with available wireless connection. Now, not only does the waiter prepare your favorite drink before you come, but you start acting weird because of too much coffee. Want to avoid the nervous I-need-to-have-internet breakdown? Learn how to get connected at home!

How to apply for installation and the internet account

When you apply for an internet access account, take your passport or original ID card to local China Telecom Center although you’re technically required to register with the local police station before you can open an account.

Don’t forget to take enough cash to pay for the installation fee (around 300RMB).

The China Telecom will arrange an appointment with you and send the technician to install the cable and modem within 48 hours in your apartment. Meanwhile you will get the user name and password of your internet access.

After installation, the connection will be available within 7 working days.

How much does the Internet access cost?

China Telecom is providing broadband access service for Internet users without start-up fees. You can choose between the following monthly fees:
The fees for 1 mbps is around RMB 98/month (unlimited access)
The fees for 2 mbps is around RMB120/month (unlimited access)

How to check the balance?

You can check your balance by dialing the following numbers:
96333 -5 -3- input your internet account number
or
10000 -1 -1- input your internet account number
or
11888-9
or go on www.sc.ct.10000.com (in Chinese)

Where to pay?

a. China Telecom Service Center or a “Neighborhood Center” (address located on Translation Card as below.)
b. Via the phone directly 96333 or 11888
c. On the website www.sc.ct.10000.com (in Chinese)

When to recharge?

Service center or neighborhood center are open at any time. You can recharge at any time provided that it is before your balance runs out.

Lots of foreigners own a precious phone that is called iPhone. Unfortunately, this phone has not been officially released in China for now.

In the meanwhile, you can still get an imported iPhone. However here is what you have to consider :

Coming with the phone that you’re using abroad or buying an imported iPhone might let you face to a problem : the simlocking. Basically, it’s the manufacturer operator lock that avoid you to insert and use the mobile services from another operator.

However here are some solutions :

Both cards inserted into the sim location

Hardware unsimlocking : You buy kind a card that you will insert with your sim card in the sim location. That will make the phone to not know that’s it’s not the original sim card that you’re using. This unsimlocking only work with the current firmware that you’re using. Upgrading the firmware will probably make the card not usable anymore and you will have the card to work with the latest firmware version. This piece of card is called in Chinese “Ka Tie” 卡贴.

Software unsimlocking : This method required some technical skills : you will have to jailbreak your iPhone in order to install third-party program (from the Cydia library) like the yellowsn0w program (for iPhone 3G FW until 2.1.1) or ultrasn0w for iPhone 3G FW 3.0+

Getting connected everywhere in China

Some more nice cool things that you can do with your iPhone is to enjoy the cheap GPRS cost to have your emails and surf on the Internet.
If you don’t already have a GRPS package, you can enable one with the China Mobile operator.

Set the Access Point to CMNET

The basic package is :
30MB package (*) | 5RMB / month | Yearly subscription

To enable this package (In Sichuan) : send KTWAPQ to 10086. You should then receive a SMS confirmation in Chinese with the beginning date of the package subscription.

Then, configure your iPhone and set the Access Point in the Cellular Data to CMNET

SMS showing your phone balance with China Mobile

How To check how many GPRS data usage you have left :

In Sichuan: call 1008611 and immediatly get an SMS with your balance. In the following screenshot, I can read that : this month I have already used 36.20 RMB and there is still 67.11 RMB credit left on my account. I have 93 local minutes + 5 MMS remaining in my subscription plan. At the end of the SMS you should see something like “剩余GPRS流量合计5377KB” which means 5377KB GPRS data remaining.
(*) Be carreful : When your 30 RMB quota is over, you will be charged 0,01 RMB / KB (10,24 RMB / MB)

Post written by Nicolas Gies (One Web Solution).

First, go to www.baidu.com.

How to download MP3 with baidu –

The second one is to open a Chinese bank account, fed by international transfer from your foreign bank. This solution allows to pay fees only during international bank transfer, no more for each withdrawal. Moreover, you can receive your salary if you have a local contract. Fees depend on the local bank and according to your foreign bank, so take time to compare the tariffs.

Please click on the picture below for the complete bank account opening procedure.

Ever thought about never doing housecleaning ever again? In China, your dream can become true thanks to an “Ayi”. For those who (still) do not speak Chinese, Ayi means maid and in this article we provide you all the vocabulary needed for conversing about housekeeping and more. And –one of the good things about being an expatriate in China– their services are less expensive than in Western countries, so enjoy!

What kind of services do they provide?

The basic services they provide are housecleaning, laundry and ironing. But with extra payment they can also go shopping, babysit, and cook if needed.

Do all the Ayi agencies provide the same type of services?

No. Some provide very local Ayis that only do cleaning and some cooking. Other agencies will have ayis that can speak some English and may even be able to help children with their homework.

Do I have to sign a contract with an Ayi? With an agency?

If it’s from a professional agency, the agency may provide a contract template. But most of foreigners find an ayi from friends, not an agency. In this case it’s not required to sign contract.

What should the contract state?

Basically:
- Salary and conditions for increasing salary;
-Chinese Holiday Taking-off;
-Contract term;
-Shift-working conditions and requirements;
-working content;
-The behavior requirement for the ayi during working time (like not to take ayi’s friend to apartment);
-The condition and compensation for early-termination of contract from both parties
-All you think that should be added! Do not hesitate to share your own experience by posting a comment on our site.

Payment: How do I pay? Shall I pay per hour?

It depends on what kind of service you need.
If you want your Ayi to be working full-time or part-time but on a long-term basis, then it is better to pay by month.
If you just need her to come occasionally for a few hours, then you can pay her by the hour.
In any case, discuss it with the agency if you are using one.

How much does it cost?

This varies greatly, but for a one-time cleaning it will probably cost around RMB30-40 per hour. If you have a full-time ayi the cost may reach up to RMB2000 per month. It is best to ask the ayi what she wants to receive and go from there.

How to find an Ayi?

Ever noticed a business card stuck in your door? Well, most of these are from Ayi agencies. You can call them, but there is no guarantee that they speak English and you can’t know whether their services will be good or not. It is always better to ask your friends if they know a qualified Ayi.
Or, if you are a customer of Maxxelli, just give us a call. Our staff will be pleased to give you some contact information!

Vocabulary

What are the Chinese words I need to say to hire an Ayi in an agency?

I would like to hire a maid … -> wo xiang zhao yi ge bao mu. 我想找一个保姆。
I would like a maid to do … -> wo xiang rang bao mu zuo …… 我想让保姆做。。。
- The housecleaning -> qing jie 清洁
- The laundry -> xi yi fu 洗衣服
- Food shopping -> mai shi wu 买食物
- Baby sitting -> zhao gu xiao hai 照顾小孩

The latest cheap international calling services have made the life of people more convenient, easier and much faster than before. This service aids you to be in touch with the whole world involving a very simple procedure and at low international calling rates. It primarily involves the Internet telephony services that use the VOIP technique or calling over the Internet, for which you just need to have a mobile phone or PC to access the Internet services. There are no more communication bills, contract deals or set-up fees, you just need to subscribe on line and get the prepaid recharge to use the benefits of this Internet calling services. This facilitates you with a friendly service indeed, with sound networking, voice clarity for 24/7.This employ the use of certain softwares like Net2Phone, Gizmo, Skype, etc. Further, it also has an added advantage of exclusive offers viz; unlimited calls, bonus minutes, trial accounts, Free minutes and so on to get the maximum of the technology.
The cost of living overseas is definitely more than your native country. But cheap International calling services could help you save the cost of living and also help you to stay connected with your family and friends at very low calling rates.

Written by Peter

In this article, we look at how to apply for an employment and residence certificate in China, the current documentation needed, and new requirements that are being put in place across the country. Applying for an employment and residence certificate in China can be roughly broken down into four steps: the Alien Employment License application; the Employment Visa and Residence Permit Notification application; the Alien Employment Permit application; and the Residence Permit application.

1. Alien Employment License

The Alien Employment License is a document which basically states that a foreigner is allowed to work in China. It is needed to apply for an Employment (Z) Visa Invitation Letter from the Ministry of Commerce. An invitation letter is needed to apply for an entry visa that can be converted into a work and residence permit. While in the past it was common for F visas to be converted into work and residence permits, currently most cities require an applicant to obtain their Z Visa from their country of residence (their home nation or country where they possess legal residency). The following documentation must be submitted:

• Application for Employment Permit for Foreigners
• Valid passport
• Copies of the health certificate issued by the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Authority*
• Copies of the Industrial and Commercial Business License (duplicate)/Registration or any other governmental instrument of ratification
• Reasons for employment
• Credentials required for job
• Curriculum vitae of foreigner to be employed Letter of intention for employment
• Criminal record check**

* This can vary from city to city and even nationality to nationality; some nationalities do not need this certificate prior to obtaining their entry visa.

**This is a relatively new requirement that is not yet implemented in every city in China. We suspect that in the near future, it will become a standard requirement in every city. For more information, please see box insert on page 7 in the full version of the magazine.

2. Notification for Application of Employment Visa and Residence Permit

The Entry-Exit Administration of the Public Security Bureau in the city where a foreigner wishes to work and reside must issue this notification before an Alien Employment Permit will be issued. The following documentation must be submitted by the employer:

• Employment license
• Valid passport of the applicant (copies of main pages and valid visa shall be attached)
• Application for Residence Qualifications of Working Foreigners in China (with photos)
• Two copies of the Industrial and Commercial Business License (duplicate)
• Temporary Accommodation
• Registration off the applicant (from local police station or hotel where applicant is residing)

3. Alien Employment Permit

The Alien Employment Permit allows foreigners to work legally in China. It is usually valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The following documentation must be submitted by the employer:

• Employment License
• Notification for Application of Employment Visa and Residence Permit
• Copies of the labor contract or certificate of appointment (those who have a clear and defined position specified on the Business License/Registration or other governmental instrument of ratification may be exempt)

4. Residence Permit

The Residence Permit allows foreigners to legally reside within China. It is usually valid for one year and allows the holder to enter and leave China whenever they choose. The following documentation must be submitted:

• Valid passport
• Alien Employment Permit
• Certificate of Verification for Physical Examination Record for Foreigner or Overseas Chinese
• Notification for Application of Employment Visa and Residence Permit
• Interview Record of Residence Qualification Application for Foreigners
• Chinese Visa or Residence Application form

Once these four steps have been completed, a valid work and residence permit will be issued and the foreigner is legally able to work and reside within the People’s Republic of China for the validity period of their permit (usually, but not always, one year). Both permits can be renewed prior to their expiration.

Article provided by Dezan Shira & Associates.

Dezan Shira & Associates provides a range of services for companies looking to undertake foreign direct investment into Asia. These include corporate establishment, accounting, tax, payroll, audit and due diligence. For more information visit their website or send them an e-mail.

Maxxelli can also assist you with your visa, work permit and any other matters related to your relocation. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

How to understand Guanxi

Whenever you read or hear about China you cannot get around the Chinese word Guanxi (关系).

For non- Chinese it is difficult to understand what this little word really stands for.

The original meaning is “relationship”. But most dictionaries mention that it can also mean “concerning something”, “condition” or “involvement”. And that is where most foreigners have trouble understanding how relationship can also mean “condition”.

Guanxi is used as a term for a personal network. Those networks influence almost all decisions made in China while contracts and agreements are seen as guidelines which can be questioned or changed.

Most foreigners find it hard to believe that Guanxi is not a synonym for the Western term “corruption”. In China they use the word Huilu (贿赂) for this illegal process.

So what is Guanxi, if it doesn´t mean corruption?

Guanxi- Relationships are unlike corruption not based on unions, groups or institutions but are concerning the link between two individual persons. From there on the network can be expanded to the people the other one has Guanxi with.

The dangerous thing about introducing other people to the people you have Guanxi with, is that you could lose your face (honor, credibility) in case the introduced person is not trustworthy or reliable.

This kind of relationship needs a long time to be built up but when established it can be on a very high level. Some of the relationships are based on living together in the same village or because two people were studying in the same university.

But unlike the western definition of friendship or companionship, Guanxi can only exist if the help one gives to the other is equal to the received favor. Eventually you have to “pay back” your Guanxi- Partners.

Time and consistence play an important role in this process which involves work and caretaking. It could be compared to a fire. You have to put wood into the flames to keep it going.

People you have good Guanxi have the skill to know when to get new wood and when it is time to use the fire. That’s why it is very important for Chinese to categorize people as family, friends or foes.

All this is normally unnoticeable for foreigners who are most of the time outside of this very Chinese network.

Interesting enough “Mei Guanxi” which could be wrongly translated as “no relationship” means actually “don´t worry”, “never mind” or “doesn´t matter. So don´t be insulted if someone on the street appears to tell you “We have no relationship”.

For anyone who needs to convert currency or check on the development of 56 currencies over the last decade years the “10-year currency converter” will come in handy.

The search frame starts in the year 2000 and goes to the present.

It is updated each business day at about 12:30 ET.
It also includes $US close, low, high and 90-day rates for the US dollar.

Conversions are based on the Bank of Canada nominal noon exchange rates, which are published here:

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/exchform.html

This is an interesting example of what you can look up with the tool provided:

5th January 2000
100 USD = 827.90 CNY = 96.79 EUR

5th January 2005
100 USD = 827.45 CNY = 75.21 EUR

5th January 2010
100 USD = 682.82 CNY = 69.44 EUR