GENERAL

What are the pros and cons of working as an expat in China?

If you’re thinking about moving to work abroad perhaps you’ve toyed with the idea of moving to Asia. However, Asia is an immense continent. It’s best to go to Thailand, India or, why not, Japan?

Each of these countries has its advantages and disadvantages. Japan, for example, is very safe and orderly. You will however have to deal with a high cost of living, which is sometimes prohibitive.

India is a fascinating country, with tremendous culture. But you’ll have to get used to being the center of attention in most places and you’ll have to coexist with extreme poverty conditions.

Thailand… Ah, Thailand. Beaches, mango shakes, and swimsuits. But unless you escape each summer, you’ll be subject to the monsoons and the torrential rains that come with them.

Among other things, you’ll be constantly hassled by tuk-tuk drivers and other people that see in you the chance to make some money instead of a person that lives or works in their country.

What about China?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of moving to China?

Pros of working as an expat in China

1. The language and opportunities that can open up for you

When you’ve never been to China you might be inclined to think that Mandarin will be a problem. All those hard-to-understand sounds and esoteric characters to memorize.

Yes, learning Chinese requires an initial effort greater than what’s required to learn other languages close to yours.

But, like all languages, Mandarin is nothing more than a means of communication. And as such, it can be learned. And in the actual world, those who speak Chinese possess a superior weapon for the battlefield called “the world of work.”

The road that leads to a location-independent lifestyle is paved with existential doubts, abandoned projects, and failures. It requires a learning curve that can last even a few years.

Knowing China, its culture, and its language makes you more attractive to all those committed entrepreneurs that are thinking about exporting their products or services to the largest market in the world or de-localizing their production in Asia.  

Imagine being able to communicate effectively with both the Chinese and “westerners”, knowing the customs and cultures of both worlds. Don’t you think that would open many more doors for you too?

2. Teaching languages is an easy way to get started

In China the demand for learning foreign languages is high and for part-time work from about 20 hours a week, you can earn from 1,000 to 2,000 USD,  which is usually enough to survive in most parts of the country.

Certainly, you could also teach a language in Thailand or Indonesia. But keep in mind that in most Asian countries the demand for teachers is much more limited and, something that can’t be neglected, reflects an hourly wage of a much lower cost of living.

3. Infrastructure

If you’ve been to Vietnam, you’ll realize that the infrastructure takes time to get accustomed to. The airports are ancient, the trains come and go as they please, high-speed roads are just a dream and the traffic… forget about it!

In China, on the contrary,  the government has invested an enormous amount of resources in the creation of a first-rate infrastructure: high-speed trains, highways, cutting-edge subway systems (the subway system of Shanghai is already the largest in the world), and modern airports.

Much of this infrastructure is still funded by the state, so moving around China is relatively cheap.

4. Cost of living

Despite the fact that in the last few years China has undergone an elevated rate of inflation, the prices are still lower than those in Europe or US (excluding imported items), especially if you move outside the first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou).

5. Safety

I don’t know if it’s because of Chinese nature or the unforgiving judicial system, but in China, you always feel safe, even at night.

6. Being in the center of the world

In the last decade is clear that the economic center of the world has been moving towards East Asia being China one of the prominent players.

Cons of working as an expat in China

1. Internet

As you probably already know, China is not a democratic country. It has never been. And to preserve harmony, for many years the government has enacted a policy of internet restrictions.

While some websites are completely blocked such as Google, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube, just to mention a few of the more famous ones. Others are accessible but load very slowly.

However, internet restrictions in China can be bypassed using a technology called VPN (Virtual Private Network).

Keep in mind however that these are often paid services and from one minute to the next could stop working due to a change in the control algorithm used by the Chinese.

2. Obtaining a visa

As opposed to countries like Thailand or Vietnam, which depend on tourism for their gross national product and have no interest in “keeping out” foreigners, in China things have changed.

The government’s priority is the country’s stability. This translates into a periodical tightening of visas, such as the situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic where most of the visa procedures were canceled.

Getting a visa to work in China can be a difficult and uncertain process.

3. Pollution

Even though the situation has improved in recent years, China is still an extremely polluted country. There’s air pollution, due to energy production, heating, and city traffic; groundwater pollution caused by the runoff of industrial chemicals; to finish with food pollution due to the massive use of pesticides and not always transparent practices.

4. You are almost forced to live in a city

Living in a city is not obligatory, but let’s say that a Chinese city with less than a million inhabitants usually equates to a dormitory town where it’s hard to even find a bar. The only exceptions are towns that live on tourism such as Yangshuo, Dali, or Lijiang.

Working as an expat in China can be a great opportunity for those looking to expand their career in the business world. China is the world’s largest market and has a rapidly growing economy, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to export their products or services or de-localize their production in Asia. However, it is important to be aware of the cultural and language barriers that may exist and to take the time to learn about the customs and culture of the country. Additionally, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and challenges of working as an expat in China before making a decision.