I searched and didn't find much info on this on LYN. Just wondering if anyone's had much experience working in China specifically Beijing. I've been offered a post in Beijing but it's not a full expat position so while I get flights, housing and medical insurance, food and transportation are on me. I've googled and it seems like the cost of living is maybe 30% higher than KL but not outrageous.

Any other things I should be aware of? Anyone living there now?

Help you to bump..

I have no exp to work and stay there ..

Beware of the food over there.

Its usually laced with so much chemicals that some foodstuff are actually chemically manufactured foodstuff rather then something "natural".

Just recently there was a report which leaked out how they can chemically counterfeit eggs and they even sell the dvd to teach you how to do it.

How big is the salary? Are u engineer?

Wages is high/good!
But the foods in China is bad and its dirty only.People unfrenly.The others is ok~

Advantage: BIG salary and bonus

Disadvantage: Leave ur family & friends, lover. Alone and lonely. People there not so friendly and good with u also got purpose. Air polution and food poison. High expenses. Stress. Dangerous. If u are engineer, I afraid they ask u do alot of dangerous thing on the site. No insurance coverage from company if something happened.

For groceries and locally made goods, prices are like Malaysia 5 years back. That's assuming you shop where the locals get their daily necessities. Eating out, depends on location and type of food. It's just like KL, can range from very cheap to very expensive.

All imported goods will be much more expensive if compared to Malaysia. And don't think that all locally made goods are cheap. There are many brands that are highly expensive.

Major cut throat cost would be housing, but since you've got it covered, no worries.

Thanks, the wages are still under negotiation but hopefully it'll be good. How much is BIG here? It looks as if it'll only be around 1500-2500€
which to be honest isn't much by Beijing/Shanghai standards. At least they'll be covering flights and accommodation for me and my family along with medical and insurance coverage. I'm doing IT stuff, dealing more with outsourcing so I don't expect to be doing dangerous stuff

The food quality is worrying, will have to keep that in mind. I've been following the Beijinger for now, lots of info there so far.

That's not bad, considering your flights and lodging is already paid for!

Other living costs ain't that high, I'm assuming you are a Chinese and know how to get around. You are not white guy who can't speak/read Chinese and need to buy food at the imported section of Carrefour / go for coffee at Starbucks / etc.

I believe you'll be taking the subway and buses too.

This post has been edited by entryman: Jan 6 2011, 12:35 PM

Haha no I'm Malay and don't speak/read chinese I don't expect food to be a big problem unless the quality is really going to be bad. But I am preparing for the worst in terms of the pollution and air quality. Air filters seem to be the way to go in apartments but they're expensive...

hi Rollover,
never been working in China but it would interest me to know whether you need a greencard and if you have to join a lottery to get it. The answers for my questions related to the U.S. can be found here:
http://www.green-card.com/greencard-lottery

Thanks ahead

Lol. Then I suggest you get a crash course in speaking Mandarin, e.g. Pimsleur.

It will do you a lot of benefit. One clear example would be stronger relationships.

As to it being expensive, some things are just investments that you can't do away with, don't skimp on things that are closely related to your well being, especially if you're in a foreign country. You can save alot by cooking yourself, by not eating out at lavish places, by not going for designer goods, etc.

Oh another thing, luckily you're Malay, and I assume Muslim, if not... you'll have to buy lots of liver tonics, vitamin D, etc. Expect to be downing a lot of shots. Being Muslim good excuse not to, save lots of money, haha. But I'm not sure how that will affect your career though, haven't been to that stage myself yet

Watch out for the tax. IIRC, foreigners who reside in China for more than 183 days are classified as tax residents and must pay tax on both their China-derived AND foreign-derived income. Do Google for the exact application if you have significant current income already in Malaysia etc. like dividends, rental etc. It could become taxable in China if you become a Chinese tax resident. Imagine the poetic justice if your Amanah Saham Bumiputra dividend is tax free in Malaysia but taxable in China.

This post has been edited by seantang: Jan 6 2011, 08:02 PM

I think for his 2000 euros it's around the bracket of 20%.

Ah thanks, I've not read the taxation stuff very closely but double taxation sucks big time. I will have income in Malaysia and the US, this is going to be a headache Will check with the company to find out.

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Added on January 6, 2011, 11:03 pmYep, I have Pimsleur and have already started practicing putonghua


This post has been edited by rollover: Jan 6 2011, 11:03 PM

how much is your current pay in Malaysia? other than the housing allowance and base pay of 2k+ euros, no other perks?

Beijing, i'd say its better than KL. except the people there, the air is not as polluted, about food, u might have some problem

I'm going there next month.

Anyone there?

You going for? Travel? Long term / short term work?



I'm about 1400 KM away (south), lol.

I worked there before...food wise,got expensive one and cheap one lor,if you can mix in then normally the food is not a problem,transportation is better than malaysia if you are not driving,the subway system is quite complete,transportation not expensive at all,taking bus is like 1rmb,subway is 2 rmb...most of the spending is on the place you stay