This recent New York Times article “American Graduates Finding Jobs in China” has drawn lots of attention. It’s been making the email rounds since its release this morning and is currently the most popular article at New York Times Online.
（Side note: I deny having read “Pain of Being a Redhead.”)
Anyway, it’s a quick read which I recommend. But, since I know our readers don’t read, here’s the executive summary:
American Graduates are coming to China predominantly for three reasons:
- The Chinese economy is “surging”
- The cost of living is “lower”
- The chance to leap ahead in seniority without having to wait and “pay dues”
I agree with all the three points but will ignore the first two because they don’t interest me. As for point #3, I see it all the time, sometimes even in the mirror. My question is, how much of it is merit based and how much is preferential treatment for foreigners? What would it take to change this reality? Thoughts or personal anecdotes, anyone?
On a related note, Junde wrote “9 reasons why Singaporeans should live and work in China” several months ago. It is more thorough and accurate than anything the New York Times could write. He also shorted Wall Street all last year and marks 2017 as the date North Korea opens up.
Nice summary. There is a huge amount of preferential treatment for foreigners. Especially white, native-English speaking ones. There are situations where this makes sense — foreigners may have insight to services for other foreigners, etc. — but a lot of times people like myself are given way too much deference, and money, mostly just because of our passports and appearances. I think many foreigners try to make the best of these opportunities as they realize how lucky they are, but many don’t. Hopefully the influx of foreigners and rising confidence among Chinese will lead to some changes — even if it will mean I will have a harder time finding work.
Fred,
Thanks for your comment! I feel the same way. The difference in educational systems does appear to give foreigners the advantage of “Out of the [Chinese] Box” thinking, but in truth, many of these ideas are nothing special. On the other hand, having seen Chinese higher education firsthand, I doubt we will be seeing significant changes very soon.
Wonder how much it would cost to start a game company or animation studio in china? 2-3 hundred k?
Just get out of China and go home. Why you stay here for so long and say things bad about Chinese? BC you love it here more than the country you are from but they didnt accept you cause you are Asian and they make racist comments about your ’small eyes’. So why do you not just go back if they are so accepting of you there and you are so negative here about China? Are you Taiwanese who jealous of China and pretend to be Chinese? Bring it on.! Hope the censors in China enjoy reading your posts and articles about how you are Chinese and continue to kiss ass to foreingrs who hate China. Chinese loyalists such as I will breakdown all your points one by one. How about the crimes in western countries, ? The school killings and nasty things worst than in China ? Stop trying to be ‘popular’ to foriengers , butt lickr.
what are you on about you freak? butt lickr? what?