I’ve always been interested in Asia and especially China. I want to start learning the language, visit the country and perhaps one day live there. But things i’ve read and watched scare me. The strict laws and punishments. So i wonder just how different is China to say the Uk where i live? How easy is life over there? With it being a communist state. I just get this sense or always having to look over my shoulder and watching what i do. I’m not sure why. I mean no disrepect to anyone. For instance i watched the movie broke down palace which is set in Thailand and how the girls got drugs planted in their bags and setenenced to 35 years. I know Thailand isn’t China. An the the movie maybe a little far-fetched. But it makes you think. How easy is it to have something like that done to do you for a crime that might be so serious in China living there as a foreigner you could potentially be an easy target.
I have lived in China for almost ten years now, some things you read and hear about are very far fetched, but for Americans and Brits China is a very safe place to visit and live. The British pound is 1pound – 14rmb so your money goes a very long way. As a foreigner you have a lot more freedom than the average Chinese person, but, you are still obligated to obey the law of course. The big cities like Shanghai and Beijing would not be much different, public transportation, foreign products, lots of nightlife and such, the main difference would be cultural things. As far as something being planted on you, impossible, the Chinese govt. is very careful about protecting foreigners, I walk down the streets at 11 – 12 at night with no fears
Comment by Mr. W — June 26, 2007 @ 3:53 am
This is the reason why going on tourism trips are important, to confirm or negate what is being bandied around by the governments through the press against another country. Governments issue sanctions to its citizens not with the real intent of scaring its citizens but rather scare the government of the country against which sanctions are issued. In crippling tourism and busines investments to a country, they cripple the country and governemnt and succeed in making them submit to their demands, usually onerous to the sanctioned nation.
That is some kind of an answer. hahaha. What you have is sheer paranoia.
There is nothing to be scared of when in China. Even if you work there, things are just as normal as when you are in UK. It would be different of course if you work with your government. But if with private coproations, I don’t think there would be any reason for them to watch over you closely. Anyway, close watch is done by every country on any govenment representative office as a matter of self protection.
China is beautiful and very rich in culture. And from what I read in current trend based on news about China and on what I have personally observed while there on a visit, China is becoming a socialist country more than a communist country, ably combining the plusses of capitalism and yet maintaining communism as their guiding principles. Mind you, Mao Tse Tung (or Mao Zedong) is still their venerated by everybody up to the present time as their hero, so this is where you have to be careful in commenting on.
Comment by arienne321 — June 26, 2007 @ 9:25 am
china has great culture , i mean in the past they created great culture , but i have to suggest you the modern china is not a suitable place to live
Comment by very good — June 29, 2007 @ 3:37 am
I don’t think China is such a scaring country since I have lived here for five years. Normally, Chinese people are friendly and nice. But you could encounter culture shock for sure, then it’ll depend on your tolerance to the differences. By the way, I found a good website to inquire about some odds related to China. Quite interesting!
Comment by Vincent D — June 30, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Even though China is a communist country, it won’t really be a big issue for you as you are a foreigner. It is true that people will look at you but in a way to check on you.
In 2 years the only crime I saw where people fighting in the streets after a car accident or 2 men for the same woman. Otherwise it was a fellow French friend creating the ruckus. China is safe, at least safer than most of the western countries.
Even though ou can’t find all the products you may need to live, life isn’t difficult as long as you have little money to live.
Comment by kl55000 — July 1, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
I’m Chinese, but I moved to the U.S. about 5 years ago. China is not as scary as some ppl make it at all. Being a communist state, you will have no trouble unless you cause trouble for the government. (if you are planning to cause that kind of troble, bring lots of money. b/c i think you just bribe the officials and cops and get off pretty easy most of the time). Other than that, China is wonderful. Its history is just mesmorizing. It’s just so ancient, you know. and It’s still able to keep that ancientness. Chinese people are very friendly and unfailingly polite to foreigners (maybe not in public arenas). However, it’s dirty and very polluted. And it’s very crowded. No air conditioning in some older buildings. It just gets so hot during summer. and it’s hard for me b/c i got used to the AC here in U.S. But still expect a good time if you go, it’s just so different and interesting. The food is AMAZING. They make the restaurants so nice, so the whole dinning experience is like art. Be open minded, I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Comment by Sam — July 3, 2007 @ 7:10 am
hello friend,
Am a foreigner like you and i would like to give you some tips i learned while living there (2004-2005). First of all THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW IN CHINA,for instance in the ’90s foreigner were not allowed to carry cell phones,living in random hotels,using Chinese money,going outside major cities.But all that changed now and life is much easier for foreigner now days in china.
Never the less there are some trouble going to facing you in there:
1-Don’t mingle around small towns and villages without a trusted guide,because the locals almost don’t speak English and you can’t get any appropriate help even if you speak Chinese.
2-learn good Chinese especially when you going to live there for long,
3-DON’T SHOW that you are rich dress in plain clothes because being a foreigner is enough been a target to get scammed in china.
4-DON’T speak Chinese in case you got in trouble because Chinese tend to respect foreigner who are”fresh” ,otherwise authorities well treat you as a local.
5-DON’T use your cell phone in public or Else it well be stolen from you by passerby motorcycle or thieves.
6-DON’T trust in anyone in the street espically prostitues who ask you to go with them and get you undressed then they snach your clothes and run with it (so you can’t run after them naked) or even take them to your place or hotel without taking precautions like storing your money&valubles in a safe place since as soon as you let them out of you sight they will try to take any valubels they can lay their hands on.
7-DON’T buy anything from someone on the street it is FAKE.
Finally if u r from the UK live in hong kong or shanghai it is the best cities for foreigner
Comment by hatim 2000 — July 3, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
india better
Comment by arunnmooorthy BHZ — July 3, 2007 @ 4:39 pm