Citizens of many countries are thinking about how to arrange their lives in China. This is due to the fact that employment and doing business here seem to be quite promising, prices are attractive, and the standard of living itself is high. Having once visited China, tourists tend to come back here again, since even a few trips will not be enough to get acquainted with the local culture and historical values. China has many faces - big bustling cities attract young people, quiet villages beckon older generations in need of peace, so it seems that everyone will find what they are looking for in China.

Living standards in the PRC

Information about the extremely low standard of living of the overwhelming majority of Chinese people can often be found in the media. The main argument is the absence of a middle class as such, from which it follows that the bulk of the population is below the poverty line. This information is not unfounded, but is not relevant today.

The standard of living in China in 2017 is not so disappointing, and from the report of the Asian Development Bank entitled "The Rise of the Middle Class in China" it follows that there is still a middle class here, just the concept itself is somewhat different from the definition that is familiar to the citizens of the CIS and Europeans. this stratum of the population. In particular, in China, such representatives are citizens who are able to spend at least $ 20 a day on themselves.

This conclusion was made by the speakers of the aforementioned bank based on the results of a survey of the population of cities and towns. The analyzed values ​​were prices for agricultural products, data on land use, labor productivity indicators, investment by families, and the level of sales and consumption of goods by them. An additional method for identifying the middle class was the analysis of purchases of durable goods: vehicles, computers, large household appliances, pianos, mobile phones. If it turned out that the family did not have any of the listed items, the family was considered to be poor.

If we compare the standard of living of China and Russia, it is safe to say that the Chinese of the middle class live no worse, and in most cases, better than the Russians. Thus, the annual income of a representative of the middle class in China is $ 2,500 - $ 17,000 (145 thousand - 986 thousand rubles), while such an upper limit is sometimes unattainable even for a qualified specialist working in Moscow. However, it is worth considering the gradation, which is strong enough. For example, it is enough for a village worker to earn $ 100 for the residents of the region to recognize him as a middle class, but the income of a city dweller in Beijing must reach at least $ 1000 in order to be recognized as such.

In China, the following trend is taking place: residents of the country who are members of the Communist Party are reaching the heights faster.

Often, visitors are interested in the question of how they live in North China, since many would like to settle closer to the Great Plain of China, the Yellow River and the Great Wall of China. It should be noted that the standard of living here is not much different from other provinces, and the population lives mainly on the flow of tourists, taking advantage of the attractiveness of the local attractions.

So, the middle class can be attributed to the citizens of China who easily satisfy their basic needs, while it should be borne in mind that goods in the country are produced not only cheap, but also very expensive.

If we talk about how the average standard of living in China changes over time, it can be argued that it is steadily growing. In 1991, 40% of the Chinese were classified as poor, and in 2007 62% of the population began to belong to the middle class, and there was a homogeneity of its distribution among residents of cities and towns. Already by 2011, the number of citizens with an average income level reached 1 billion people, which is 80% of the population, however, due to the movement of young people to cities, mostly poor people remained in the villages.

Life expectancy of the Chinese

If we compare life expectancy in China and in Russia, as well as in other CIS countries, it becomes clear that the indicators differ significantly. And if you look at life expectancy for the coming years, you can see that China is forecasting a much higher rate. China has developed the Healthy China 2030 program aimed at achieving an average life expectancy of 79 years by 2030, while the CIS countries hope that this figure will be 77 years.

The average life expectancy in China in 2017 is 76.34 years for both sexes, for women - 77 years, for men - 74 years.

At the same time, in Russia the indicators are equal to 70.5 years, 76.3 and 62 years, respectively.

China's policy in this moment aims to promote healthy way living, quitting smoking, redefining culinary traditions, providing rural areas with access to health and wellness services, improving the quality of water, air and soil. The main reason for the adoption of these measures was the widespread prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

Cost of living in the PRC

The cost of living in China differs by region and largely depends on the attendance of a particular place by tourists, because if you start to understand why China lives, it will become clear that the main sources of replenishment of the country's budget are taxes collected from citizens and tourists' money.

The needs of urban and rural residents in China differ too much, so it is impossible to generalize the indicators of consumption of goods and expenditures of funds. When assessing the cost of living for a citizen, it will be necessary to take into account the prices for:

• rental housing (assuming that own apartment No);
• public Utilities;
• food and water;
• clothes;
• mobile communications, internet;
• public transport services.

Other than austerity, the cost of local entertainment could also be added to the list.

And if you look at how ordinary people live in China, you can see that there is almost no need to buy food. There is often no developed infrastructure in rural areas, so there is no need to pay for it. Basically, villagers buy clothes, various household utensils, fuel and alcohol. To assess the level of expenses of a villager, it is enough to look at how they live and what they do in a Chinese village: people here fish, raise livestock, grow vegetables, and sometimes even sew clothes themselves.

Thus, the average cost of living in cities is approximately 22,000 yuan (about $ 3,220), and in rural areas it is less than 7,000 yuan (about $ 1,000) per year.

As the population of China is aging due to attempts by the authorities to reduce the birth rate, it can be said that most people live in China at the expense of their children and grandchildren, who are obliged to provide for the older generation during their disability.

Whether it is expensive to live in China can be judged by the cost of housing and communal services. Payment for housing and communal services consists of the monthly cost:

• heating (~ 350 yuan or $ 51);
• electricity (~ 100 yuan or $ 15);
• gas (~ 250 yuan or $ 36);
• cleaning of stairwells and other services (~ 65 yuan or $ 9.5).

Products in China are generally cheaper than in the CIS countries, however, the huge cost of dairy products and coffee is surprising. Average prices for 1 kg of products:

Name	Cost (yuan)	Cost ($)
rice	5	0.73
potato	2	0.3
tomatoes	2	0.3
carrot	1.3	0.19
chicken breast	11	1.62
ground meat	16	2.35
a fish	from 8	from 1.17
apples	4.4	0.64
pasta	6	0.88
egg (sold by weight in China)	10	1.47

At the same time, the fact that the bulk of the population can afford meat only twice a week can serve as an indicator of how the Chinese live in China.

Mobile communications cost an average of 0.1 yuan ($ 0.01) for SMS and 0.2 yuan ($ 0.03) for a minute of conversation in roaming. Internet in China - expensive pleasure Even a slow connection (256 kbps) costs over 70 RMB ($ 10.3) per month.

Public transport (metro, buses) for residents of large cities can cost up to $ 50 per day, depending on the distance. In small towns, the cost is reduced to a couple of dollars.

Clothing in China is cheap, and few consider its cost when planning a budget.

Thus, the question of how much it costs to live in China per month, after rough estimates, can be answered as follows: from 2,500 to 10,000 yuan per month ($ 1,470), depending on the city, taking into account rental housing, while the cost of living in large the country's cities is 3457 yuan per year ($ 508). This is if we talk about foreign citizens ah, but today the life of ordinary Chinese people in China also cannot be called too easy, since a significant part of the family budget "eats up" the child and the maintenance of elderly family members.

Life in Shanghai

Guangzhou is a modernized, fast-growing city with many parks and gardens. It was created for business, it can be called a world trade center - the markets are endless here. Tourists come here to enjoy the unique flavor of the ancient capital of South China.

However, the weather here in winter is not hospitable - with high humidity, the temperature of + 12 ° C feels like minus 20, and there is no central heating in the houses.

Guangzhou is home to a large number of prestigious universities that cooperate with universities in many countries. The life of teenagers in China, as well as students, is subject to the temptations of nightlife, but Guangzhou can be called a relatively quiet place, so there is practically nothing to distract young people from their studies.

Those immigrants who prioritize the beauty of nature can be advised an alternative to resettlement in Guangzhou - life in Hangzhou. This city is located 180 km from Shanghai and is famous for its tea plantations and picturesque green hills.

Employment in China

Economic growth in China is helping to improve the financial well-being of the Chinese themselves and the employment of citizens from around the world.

Due to the fact that the competition for the highest schools is too high, China needs qualified specialists with higher education. For citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, there are always vacancies in the field of industry, space, chemical and information technology, as well as in the field of education.

The Chinese government provides for many social programs, but they are aimed primarily at providing jobs for the Chinese, and only then for visitors.

Despite the huge population density, China is open to graduates foreign universities and those wishing to participate in the Au Pair program. Also in demand in the Celestial Empire are dancers, artists, fashion models.

For employment in China, you need to apply for a work visa, which requires an invitation from a Chinese employer.

Study in China

Education in China has reached a very high level and occupies a leading position in the world market. The latest Chinese technological developments and well-organized teaching methods are known everywhere. A student who received a diploma in China will be in demand by employers in Asia and Europe and will be able to apply for a high-paying job in China itself.

Education in China is both prestigious, high-quality and affordable, which cannot be said about studying in Europe. The average indicators of the cost of education in the PRC indicate that to obtain a bachelor's degree it is enough to pay $ 2-3 thousand per year of study, a master's degree will cost about a thousand dollars more. Accommodation is included in the payment (on average, one day in a hostel costs $ 8). Accommodation with a Chinese family will cost $ 10-30 per day.

The Chinese government provides scholarships for successful international students, so education can be obtained practically free of charge.

Buying a property

The real estate market in China is diverse due to national specifics - the attractiveness of the country for businessmen requires the opening of offices, and for tourists - the preservation of the historical values ​​of the ancient civilization. It is worth noting immediately: to have any property in China, you need to have a considerable fortune.

The cost of real estate is steadily increasing, a square meter of area already costs an average of $ 1-3 thousand, depending on the location. Luxury real estate is a huge investment, especially in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Prices are so high that foreigners sometimes wonder if there is private property in China and if anyone can afford it.

A foreigner cannot buy housing intended for low-income Chinese, one cannot purchase more than one apartment and use it for commercial purposes, and in order to complete purchase and sale transactions, one must live in the country for a year.

Chinese goods, which ten years ago were considered the most substandard in the world, made from second-rate raw materials and produced using outdated technologies, began to gradually improve, and today a buyer anywhere in the world has the opportunity to purchase quality product at an affordable price.

Business with China is the most popular request on the Internet, since not only wealthy people seek to open their own business, but also citizens who do not have start-up capital. For the second category of entrepreneurs, thanks to China, 3 types of earnings "from scratch" have become available:

• large wholesale sales;
• Joint purchases;
• dropshipping.

However, the prospects for cooperation with China, which never ceases to amaze, are not limited to this list.

Tax payments are the main source of revenue for the Chinese treasury. This is because the population is approaching 1.5 billion in 2017. Maintaining a stable economy requires a lot of money, so all residents of the country pay taxes every month, without trying to evade this and create a shadow economy, and tax liabilities apply not only to citizens of the PRC, but also to foreigners.

Chinese tax policy provides for 3 main categories of taxes:

• central;
• joint;
• local.

The tax system includes the following types of taxes:

• Personal income tax;
• at a profit;
• for transactions;
• entrepreneurial;
• resource;
• for consumption;
• for repair and construction in cities and others.

In addition, there are customs duties and taxes on imported goods.

Social security in China

Like any state, China strives to ensure that its citizens live with dignity. However, the Chinese budget does not have sufficient funds, so the social security system here is at a low level. In fact, it was created only in 1994, and until that time a planned economy operated, and the state was responsible for providing civil servants, paying pensions and medical care for employees of enterprises. The imperfection of the system manifested itself when the population began to age, too much funds were required for pensioners, and the costs of them were slowed down economic activity companies.

Since 1990, China has been actively reforming its unemployment insurance, health insurance and pension systems. In addition, the government has opened a housing stock to help employees buy housing.

China Pension System

In the PRC, the pension is provided exclusively for:

• government officials;
• managers;
• industrial workers.

The retirement age in China is coming:

• at 60 for men;
• at 55 for women in management;
• at 50 for other women.

The average pension is 618 yuan ($ 75) monthly.

Pensioners have no privileges.

The nationwide pension system is down. Residents of villages and townships do not receive pensions at all. But if there is no pension in China, then how do the elderly live, you ask. The fact is that in the PRC, able-bodied relatives are legally obliged to provide for their elderly parents and grandparents. If a citizen shirks his responsibilities towards his elderly relatives, he will face serious legal problems. Here is the answer to the question of how pensioners in China live without a pension.

Those who are entitled to a pension must have worked for at least 15 years and regularly make contributions to the pension fund (11% of wages: 7% - the company's management, 4% - independently). There are regions where the companies themselves pay pensions to workers. For the rest, upon reaching the retirement age, funds come from the state every month in the amount of 20% of the average salary in the region. In addition, approximately 60% of the average annual income recorded at retirement and indexed as inflation rises is charged from the personal retirement account.

Health insurance in China

Medical insurance in China involves the payment of contributions to the insurance fund for each employee at the same time by the head of the company (by deducting 6-12% of the employee's salary) and by the employee himself in the amount of 2% of his salary. The insurance is designed to cover the cost of treatment costing up to 10% of the regional average annual salary, and insurance funds cover expenses that exceed this indicator, but in the amount of no more than five average annual salaries.

To accumulate a sufficient amount on the account, you will have to work for several years. In almost all cases, employees contribute to the insurance fund in advance and receive reimbursement later.

Banking system of the PRC

There is an opinion that the banking system of the PRC is represented exclusively by state-owned banks, but this is not entirely true. Only 3 banks are fully owned by the state, including the oldest Bank of China. The majority of financial institutions are commercial banks with joint stock ownership.

Despite this, the state exercises control over the activities of all banks, and in the largest of them it is also the owner of a controlling stake.

Chinese

The official language of the PRC is Chinese, the oldest language in use today. The Chinese speak several dialects with phonetic differences, and the standard Chinese language based on the Beijing dialect provides the opportunity for speakers of different dialects to communicate.

Dialects differ in writing, residents of some cities use the full-fledged spelling of hieroglyphs, and residents of other settlements use an abbreviated one.

Despite the fact that the bulk of the Chinese population speaks English and teaching in educational institutions can take place in English, without knowledge of the Chinese language and without confirmation of a sufficient level of proficiency, it is impossible to enter a Chinese university or organize a full-fledged business, and therefore the programs of Chinese language centers are becoming more and more popular.

China's transport system

The most common form of transport in China is a bicycle - every family member has one.

The townspeople often have a car. There is a right-hand traffic in the country. The total length of roads in China reaches 3.5 million kilometers, and the length of multi-lane highways is more than 45,000 km.

The PRC has 980 domestic air transport lines, 130 international and 24 regional lines. The flight schedule is tight here, tickets are bought in advance. Fares are high, with an airport tax of RMB 50 ($ 7.35). Departure delays often occur, but the company's employees put a late passenger on the next flight at no additional charge, subject to availability.

From Shanghai Pudong Airport to the city center can be reached by high-speed magnetic levitation train.

There are more than 2000 ports in the country, and the length of waterways accessible for navigation is 140 thousand kilometers.

The length of the China Railways railway network is almost 100 thousand kilometers. However, despite this, dense coverage of the territory by railways is observed only in the eastern regions of the country. At the same time, only 20% of the network is connected to electricity, the remaining 80% use diesel and steam locomotives.

Separate cash desks have been organized for foreigners, where service is faster, but you will have to pay extra "for the service". Ticket prices are constantly changing.

Today, China is engaged in a global upgrade of its transport infrastructure.

Public transport in China

Due to the huge population density, public transport in China is extremely congested. Most people use buses and trolleybuses, buying tickets from a conductor or driver, but in large cities - Beijing, Hong Kong, Dalian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Chongqing, Nanjing and Shenzhen - there is a subway. There are no travel tickets or magnetic cards in China.

Taxi in China

Taxi is the most convenient option for traveling around the city. Service rates are indicated on a sheet of paper attached to the glass - usually 6-10 yuan ($ 0.88-1.47) for 4 km, and then the cost is reduced to 1-2 yuan / km ($ 0.14-0.3 ).

In places where tourists gather and at railway stations, there are minibuses for fixed-route taxis, the price for the services of which is in the range of 1-3 yuan ($ 0.14-0.44).

Finally, it is possible to hire a rickshaw, however it is more expensive than a taxi ride. On the other hand, a motorcycle ride will cost 2 times cheaper.

Renting a car in China causes a lot of inconvenience and involves using it exclusively within the boundaries of the administrative unit in which the foreigner received a driver's license.

It is necessary to book transport in advance in order to insure against an increase in rental prices, which happens not so rarely due to the dependence of the cost of the service on the availability of free cars for the accounting period.

Car rental involves going through the following stages:

• registration of an international driving license;
• obtaining a short-term or long-term (if there is an appropriate type of visa) driver's license;
• undergoing a medical examination for the presence of color blindness and visual defects;
• checking the records of all machine defects in the documents after a visual inspection of it;
• payment for car rental services and making a deposit;
• signing and paying for an insurance contract.

Communication in China

With the right choice of SIM-card, mobile communication in China is cheaper than in Russia. Visitors have two options:

1. Buy a new SIM card upon arrival in PRC.
2. Use a Russian SIM card while roaming.

China operates cellular of several types:

• general territorial;
• local;
• international.

When you have decided on a mobile operator, be sure to specify whether you will make calls within one province, between provinces or to the CIS countries. Therefore, when asked what kind of mobile communication is in China, one can answer that it is expensive, but everything will depend on how competently you choose the tariff.

IP telephony is especially popular - calls on it will be cheaper. Some cities, such as Hong Kong and Macau, have special SIM cards and international roaming. However, to register for roaming, you must have a PRC passport and pay a large deposit.

The main operators in China today are China Mobile and China Unicom. Both work in the GSM standard, but the second also works in the CDMA standard, and this is a guarantee of communication availability even in the wilderness or in the mountains. At the same time, the first operator does not oblige to buy a special phone for its SIM-card.

There are many payphones in China and you need to buy a card from a bookstore to use them.

The postal service is also sufficiently developed that allows you to send letters and parcels by express delivery.

Internet in China is slow, intermittent and expensive. Access to many resources is closed. You can go online in an Internet cafe, hotel, China Telecom office.

Corruption in the PRC

Corruption in China has existed since ancient times and has not declined. This is especially true of local authorities, which are poorly controlled by higher authorities. It got to the point that officials take bribes not only from the population, but also from lower-ranking colleagues, and an incorruptible employee is recognized as a useless simpleton.

Bribery is included in the list of crimes that were punishable by firing squad in China (about 10 thousand criminals were executed in 2000-2010), but when Xi Jinping came to power, they began to imprison him for 12-16 years or for life. Despite this, corrupt officials are ubiquitous. Under their auspices are arms and drug dealers, as well as brothels.

Official statistics for the past few years have shown a decrease in the level of corruption, at the same time, the number of sentences for committing malfeasance has increased by 12%, and now this figure exceeds 20,000.

China is in 83rd place (out of 168) in the Corruption Perceptions Index and is considered highly corrupt - since the mid-1990s, more than $ 120 billion of stolen money has been exported abroad.

Crime rate in China

The legal family in China is part of the Far Eastern legal family, which welcomes a peace agreement without being brought to justice. In 1949, when the country was proclaimed the People's Republic of China, the legal system radically changed and began to approach the socialist model.

Justice in the PRC is synonymous with the state. The law in the country is extremely harsh - on paper, the accused has certain rights, but in fact, even the thought of the suspect's innocence is considered seditious. Legal system China is far from ideal, as most of the suspects have never even heard of a lawyer, and the court's verdict is not subject to appeal. On average, a court session lasts 20 minutes, is held behind closed doors and does not drag out even when discussing the death penalty.

The level of organized crime in China is steadily increasing, and criminal groups often operate under the guise of administrative bodies. Basically, we are talking about the falsification of various goods, but this is not limited to criminal activity. For the most part, the work of the PRC law enforcement agencies is aimed at eradicating the drug trade and prostitution. The crime statistics in China and the fight against it are not encouraging, despite the fact that the measures are tightened every year. For example, the death penalty is provided for over 70 various violations law.

The trial in China should be a lesson for all residents, and therefore it is intended to make a horrifying impression. Shaved heads, tied with ropes, convicts ride around the city in open trucks while a loudspeaker announces their crimes, then they are taken to stadiums and given the last cup of rice and a mug of green tea before being shot. The body of the executed will be given to the family after paying for the spent bullet.

Punishments in China for crimes vary depending on their severity and are subdivided into basic (execution, life or imprisonment, supervision, arrest) and additional (fine, confiscation of property, deprivation of political rights).

Marriage

Marriages in China are carried out in accordance with the "Law on Marriage", which regulates the procedure for creating a family, relations between its members and the principles of the matrimonial system. It is allowed to play a wedding in the Celestial Empire after obtaining a work permit, passing a medical examination and a successful interview with a house committee. In the PRC, polygamy and same-sex marriages are prohibited, there are restrictions on marriage by citizens with health problems, and divorce of spouses becomes possible by mutual consent or through a court.

Many are surprised when they find out what time they get married in China: for example, a girl is allowed to marry only at the age of 20, while a man is allowed to start a family at 22.

Since the fall of 2003, the PRC government has officially banned the registration of marriages between foreign citizens who are in China on a temporary basis - for this, at least one of the applicants must be a long-term resident of the country.

Family and family life in China is largely due to the current demographic situation. Since the Chinese overcrowded in the late 1970s, families have been allowed to have only one child. Indulgences were given only to villagers, in view of the fact that the life of the Chinese in poor provinces requires masculine strength - it is allowed to give birth to a second baby, provided that the firstborn is a girl and the family has withstood a certain interval of time between conceiving children.

Diasporas in China

A diaspora is a part of an ethnic group or religious community that permanently resides outside the home country. The reasons for the formation of diasporas are called the threat of genocide, flight from hostilities, religious and ethnic differences, forced resettlement and other factors.

To roughly imagine how many and what peoples live in China, you can refer to the statistics of the III All-Chinese Census of 1982, according to which there were about 940 million Chinese (Han) in the country, and about 68 million people from national minorities. It is easier to answer the question of what nationalities live in China - there are only 55 of them. The largest ethnic group is Zhuang (about 14 million inhabitants), and the smallest is the Loba (1000 people). There are also Muslims here, but it is impossible to accurately answer the question of how many Muslims live in China - according to rough estimates, their number exceeds 29 million people (2.4% of the total population).

China can be called a multinational country, while there are nationalities of particular interest. For example, the Ingush living in China, whose population is about 6 million people.

In view of the recent scandal concerning the objects of ancient Alan culture, confiscated by Ossetian policemen from Ingush merchants, many became interested in the history of the Ingush. The fact is that in some sources of the Mongol era, Alanian military leaders who served the Great Khan are mentioned. They came from the Caucasus and influenced the history of China in the Mongol era, going through the war across Europe, Transcaucasia and North Africa. There is even an opinion that the Great Chinese Wall- this is the creation of the Alans. And although the mention of them disappeared without a trace, the Ossetians and Ingush argue for the right to be called the descendants of the Alans to this day.

Russians in China

China has always attracted Russian immigrants, especially those from Of the Far East, who managed to visit the PRC several times and assessed the living conditions in the Celestial Empire. And after the start of the construction of the Sino-Eastern railroad in China, a small Russian world began to form at all. Despite the wary attitude of the PRC government towards Russian immigrants, the resettlement of residents of both countries is gaining momentum.

However, as such, there has been no Russian diaspora on the territory of the PRC since the early 1920s, when there were over 200,000 Russians in Harbin alone. Now there are only a few communities here, and the total number of immigrants from Russia who officially got a job in the PRC has dropped to 15 thousand people.

Of no small importance for the Russian people is the rather friendly attitude of local residents towards them, despite the fact that communication is often hindered by the lack of knowledge of the Chinese language by Russian immigrants.

What else Russian immigrants will have to get used to after moving to China is the fundamental differences between Russian and Chinese cuisine. Also, difficulties arise with the restructuring of the body to the not very favorable ecology of the country, although in Chinese villages, nature is distinguished by unique beauty, and the air is relatively clean.

Immigrants from Ukraine

Hundreds of thousands of foreign citizens come to China every year to get an education, establish business partnerships, learn the Chinese language, or simply get to know this mysterious country. A significant part of the visitors are citizens of Ukraine. At the moment, there are such a huge number of Ukrainians on the territory of the PRC that the Chinese authorities were forced to restrict entry for them.

The sharp jump in immigration to China is explained by the fact that Ukraine has been going through a financial crisis lately. The country has been weakened by military action, political coups and surges in the US dollar. In the meantime, the Chinese continue to be attracted to white people and perform various kinds of performances with them, whether it be dance, music show or theatrical performance. Therefore, Ukrainians in China have the opportunity to show their talents and make good money - foreign artists receive $ 1000-3000 per month.

However, among the visiting Ukrainians there are not only models, dancers and musicians. Ukrainian youth choose China for study, the older generation finds a place in numerous Chinese companies, Ukrainians with knowledge of English begin to teach it in schools, wealthy citizens organize business in China, often choosing the catering sector and opening restaurants of national cuisine.

Speaking about working in Chinese companies, one cannot help but notice that a huge number of Ukrainians work illegally, because it is rather difficult to obtain a work permit. The applicant is required to provide an impressive package of documents and prove his advantage over local residents. In turn, the employer must make sure that the foreigner is worthy of taking up the vacant position to a greater extent than the Chinese, and is worth it to officially enroll him in the state. The process of registering a foreign employee is very difficult, therefore, few people consider it appropriate.

Since most of the immigrants from Ukraine are internally displaced persons due to the hostilities taking place in the country, many of them begin to feel homesick. This encourages them to hold community meetings, various exhibitions and literary lounges. Over time, many Ukrainians get used to living conditions in China, practice the language, successfully adapt, make friends, and even create families with Chinese. Basically, Ukrainian girls find life partners in China - local men have heard a lot about their beauty, so they gladly get to know each other, fall in love and connect their lives with them.

Migrants from Belarus

For Belarusians, China provides for a simplified visa regime, which assumes visa-free entry for a group of tourists. However, Belarusian citizens traveling alone will have to apply for a visa through the embassy. The Chinese government is loyal to them and issues visas without problems, provided that the applicant has submitted full set documents and did not violate the procedure for entering China. In addition, the PRC authorities carefully check the invitations issued to travel agencies, since without them the travel agency is not entitled to organize group trips of tourists.

The overwhelming majority of Belarusians visit China for training, but there are both businessmen and tourists among the visitors. Those citizens of Belarus who plan to stay in the PRC on a permanent basis choose, in their opinion, the most the best cities for living in China - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou. And the city of Dalian has become an ideal small settlement for them to create a Belarusian community.

The Belarusians even managed to get through to the Central Television of China (CCTV), where a channel appeared in Russian. And on the international radio of China there is an editorial office consisting of two Belarusians, who are responsible for broadcasting news in the Belarusian language. We can say that the citizens of Belarus were in demand by the PRC mass media.

The Chinese are more than friendly towards Belarusians, and many officials have either already visited Belarus or are going to do so in the near future. In Harbin, there are joint ventures with Belarusians, where the Gomselmash plant and the Minsk Tractor Plant have become partners of the Chinese company Dongjin. Specialists of these industries regularly visit China in order to set up, test and operate the manufactured equipment.

Today we can say that a Belarusian diaspora is beginning to form in China, in which Belarusians appear in the second generation. Belarusian girls create families here, and children are born in joint marriages with Chinese.

Kazakhs in China

The results of the population census in China made it possible to answer the question of how many Kazakhs there are in China. It turned out that in the Xinjiang region (XUAR) there are over one and a half million. It turns out that their number is second only to the number of Uighurs and Han people who have settled in the PRC, and in general, the Kazakh diaspora has consolidated its position in 16th place among all the peoples of China. According to the Kazakhstan Institute of Sociological Research, 56.7% of families of the Kazakh diaspora have been in China for more than 4 generations, and Kazakhs living there are indigenous to the PRC.

Kazakhs living in China today, in most cases, are emigrants of the times of collectivization, i.e. 30s of the XX century. However, even before that time, Kazakh tribes lived in the PRC, and therefore it is customary to single out a group that settled in China for a long time, and a group that arrived here in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. Some of them returned to their homeland, but the bulk of the emigrants chose to stay in the Celestial Empire.

How Kazakhs live in China can be judged by the everyday life of the Kazakh diaspora: they observe traditions, keep customs, prepare national dishes, learn to play the dombra, and visit a mosque. The majority of Kazakhs in the XUAR marry representatives of their nation, very few marry or marry Uighurs, and only 3.8% of Kazakhs create a family with Chinese. According to the Kazakhs themselves, the only drawback of life in China is the displacement of the Kazakh language by the Chinese. The Kazakhs are trying to prevent this by creating Kazakh schools, language courses and cultural centers. Yet 60% of Kazakh youth have difficulty mastering their native language, and only 30% of them subsequently speak it fluently.

The Chinese not only do not object to the expansion of the Kazakh community on the territory of their country, but also maintain the most friendly relations with the Kazakhs. Many packages of consumer goods have a translation into the Kazakh language.

Kazakhs gladly travel to Kazakhstan to visit their relatives, while representatives of the older generation admit that they wanted their children to live, work, study and create families in home country... The statistics are such that today 88.4% of Chinese Kazakhs recognize the PRC as their homeland and only 10% - Kazakhstan.

Pros and cons of living in China

Like living in any other country, living in the PRC has its advantages and disadvantages. Of the obvious advantages, it can be noted:

1. The presence of a large number of jobs and the demand for many professions, for which it is not necessary to have a good command of the Chinese language or know the language in principle.
2. A wide selection of residential premises for purchase and rent in different price categories.
3. Cheapness and the widest choice clothes. The availability of household appliances is also encouraging.
4. The ability to order almost any product at home - there are thousands of services in the country.
5. Cheap public transport.
6. The presence of a huge number of entertainment venues.
7. Developed infrastructure: convenient bus stops, special devices for the blind and disabled, amusement parks.
8. Opportunity to start your own business thanks to a loyal business policy, high population density and low tax rates.

Now let's figure out why it is bad to live in China:

1. A terrible ecology everywhere, except for villages remote from cities.
2. Polluted air - respiratory problems in China are not uncommon.
3. The extreme popularity of smoking - you can smoke everywhere, even in in public places and where there are children.
4. Heavy traffic, road noise, imperfect traffic rules.
5. The impudence of the Chinese - rudeness, swearing and coughing up are normal in communication.
6. Lack of weekends and holidays - overtime work can continue even during a national holiday.
7. Unhealthy diet - the fat and calorie content of national dishes affects health.
8. Lack of central heating - Chinese houses are cold in winter.
9. Bicycle theft is widespread and bike locks are expensive.
10. Slow internet with interruptions - a good connection costs a lot of money.
11. The imperfection of the banking system: long queues at all windows, dozens of forms, slow service.
12. The high cost and complexity of keeping pets - veterinary services and paperwork for an animal are expensive, plus there is a tax on some pets, and queues line up in front of walking paths for dog owners.
13. Dependence of the cost of education on the place of stay. When the place of registration changes, the Chinese loses the right to free education, and even the child's stay in kindergarten will cost parents about $ 1,700 per semester.
14. Paid medicine - even in the case of emergency assistance, a postpaid system operates.
15. The high cost of food - for $ 1 you can buy a thin cake and a bottle of still water.

Everyone evaluates the pros and cons of life in China, based on their own assessment of the quality of life, so for one person being in the Middle Kingdom will be a test, and for another - a joy. Russian people often cannot understand the actions of the Chinese, but it is worth remembering that the citizens of the PRC do not want to offend a foreigner - they just have a different way of thinking. The way of life and customs in China requires getting used to, although at times they seem rather strange for people with a Russian mentality.

The development of the Chinese territory by the Russian-speaking population has not lost its relevance for several centuries, in fact, just as the interest of the Chinese themselves to the nearby post-Soviet regions has not faded away. The reasons that force the citizens of the CIS to move to the Celestial Empire are very different. This includes an element of exoticism, close economic contacts, and a cheaper market for goods and services. How Russians live in China and whether the relocation is worth the effort, it will be especially interesting to find out for those who intend to change their area of ​​stay in the near future.

Features of life in China

It is rather difficult to carry out the process of migration to this country. The reason must be so strong that the local authorities have no doubts about the advisability of such an event. If this is an investment, then there should be at least 500 thousand US dollars, if it is a rare profession, then not less than a nuclear chemist, and if marriage, then it must last at least 5 years.

The first thing that attracts the Russian-speaking population is the cheapness of industrial goods, housing, and food. But this is provided that you will live in a modest apartment, and buy clothes and food in the market. In any case, this is what Russian bloggers living in China recommend to do.

Moving to permanent residence in this part of the continent, you need to be prepared for a sharp change in basic habits and lifestyle.

The first is food. The food here is delicious and original, but after a couple of weeks the emigrant begins to miss the traditional dishes of his native cuisine. The second is the densely populated territory, and the third is a completely different attitude to the issues of hygiene and order.

As for the economic development of the Middle Kingdom as a whole, many countries have long come to terms with the fact that China has overtaken them in matters, for example, in the automotive industry. Here, its own "Silicon Valley" functions quite productively, and the export of goods today suggests that Chinese production provides all other regions of our planet.

Russian diaspora

The most numerous stage of the emigration of Russians to Chinese territory can be called end of XIX century, which saw the construction of the Sino-Eastern Railway. The peak of emigration coincided with the 1920s. It was during this period that she achieved her highest development, which gives historians the right to talk about the diasporas of Harbin and Beijing.

The events that followed in Russia and the "Cultural Revolution" in China canceled out the efforts of several thousand migrants, and this phenomenon in Chinese society simply ceased to exist. It would be quite fair to say that today there is no Russian diaspora as such here. Life for Russians in China, scattered throughout the country, in terms of unity and cohesion is represented by only a few Russian-speaking communities.

As the researchers note, compact settlements of immigrants from the former USSR can be found today:

• in Xinjiang Uygur region;
• In Shanghai;
• in Heilongjiang Province;
• in the Argun-Yutsi county (Inner Mongolia).

There are weak attempts to create something like a Russian community in the areas where Russians live in Shanghai. The "Russian Shanghai Club" and several Russian-language Internet resources operate here. In general, according to all the same sociologists, at the moment about 15 thousand people from the CIS area are officially living on Chinese territory.

The size of the Russian-speaking population is also influenced by a living example of how Russian pensioners live in China. The minimum allowance here, translated into, say, Russian currency, is 9,500 rubles (1,141 yuan or 168 US dollars). At the same time, a pension is due only if a citizen has worked all his life in the civil service or at an industrial enterprise.

Nevertheless, even this does not greatly affect the desire of Russian pensioners to move to Chinese territory, which is due to low prices for housing and utilities. In any case, it is rather difficult to say exactly how many Russians live in China in 2019, since the statistics only provide official data.

Sphere of education for Russian migrants

The educational system in China is in many ways similar to the one that migrants from the former Soviet republics are used to in their state. It all starts with kindergartens, of which, by the way, there is a huge shortage here. This is followed by the initial and secondary school, and then the highest level of the educational process - the university.

Schooling is compulsory, and all institutions are divided into two types - public and private.

You can get knowledge in a public school for free. This also applies to the children of migrants.

At the middle stage, training is conducted in Chinese, but vocational schools and colleges in many cases switch to English. It is rare, but you can find institutions where there are teachers who speak Russian and can explain the subject.

A school in China for Russians will be a good reminder of the Soviet past, when mass exercises were carried out in the schoolyard, and during the day, students had a quiet hour.

Higher educational institutions willingly accept Russian students. To do this, it is enough to provide the results of independent testing and to withstand the competition, which can reach 100 people per place. The chances are higher for those who have already begun to learn Chinese at school.

Work for Russians

For Russians who want to realize themselves professionally, China starts with a work visa. It is issued in the home country, and after crossing the border, within one month, you will have to obtain a residence permit with the right to work. And do not even try to get a job here bypassing migration requirements. Chinese laws are very harsh on violators. There can be two directions of labor implementation:

• open your own business;
• get a job as an employee.

The competition in both cases will be quite high. Most often, Russians choose Beijing and Shanghai as their targets.

Features of work in Chinese companies

Keep in mind that Chinese employers and their work style are also different from what you are used to in your home country. To begin with, remember that the Chinese celebrate their New Year not together with the entire planet, but in the first quarter of a new 12-month period that has already begun for us. It is for this reason that the most hectic month here is January, and not December, as we do.

They also like to relax here for 10 days on holidays. And because they revered the holiday so much, and because by its onset, the workers accumulate days off that they have not taken off during the year.

As for any agreements, the Chinese are not inclined to follow them. Deliveries are always delayed, and if the best employee turns up, no one will remember you anymore. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the culture of behavior in the East, which differs significantly from the Western canons.

Wage

Earn an elementary minimum in order to rent inexpensive housing and buy necessary products and things are very simple here. There are always enough vacancies for salesmen, waiters and animators. A salary of 400-800 US dollars can be found for a couple of weeks.

But if you are interested in earnings of 1.5 thousand dollars, then you cannot do without a demanded profession. Russians can easily find work as a fashion designer, IT developer, shoe technologist and garment production, teacher, doctor. The main thing for successful employment in this country is the availability of higher education.

For comparison, we will give the level of wages in the table:

Doing Business in Chinese

It is no secret that the Chinese market of goods has long conquered the world, in particular, the former Soviet republics, where not only original products are actively supplied, but also fakes of well-known brands, sometimes of quite high quality. This is what makes many businessmen think about.

Let's stipulate right away that the development of a business project is a profitable event, albeit a rather bureaucratic one. There can be two options for doing business: register a representative office of a foreign company or create an enterprise with 100% foreign investments.

The first way is the fastest. Representative offices of foreign companies receive accreditation for 3 years, after which the owner faces a dilemma - to extend it for another 3 years, or to reorganize the business into the second option. It is important to remember here that a representative office in China is not allowed to conduct business for profit. They can do business in networking, market research and the like. To profit from your work, you will have to organize a company in which all 100% of the capital will be foreign.

It is difficult to say which is more important in the process of moving to this part of the planet - the ability to find affordable housing or a good job. In any case, you have to sacrifice something. Rental prices will grow in direct proportion to the size of the settlement. But in a large city, you can find a well-paid job.

Many are betting on the areas where Russians live in China. Perhaps start searching suitable option it will be more expedient with them.

As in other countries of the world, the more prestigious the area and the better the building, the more expensive it will cost to live.

For comparison, here are the prices for renting apartments in different cities:

Town	Price in yuan (per month for 1 sq.m.)	Price in US dollars (per month for 1 sq.m.)
Shanghai	50,9-101,91	7,5-15,00
Beijing	5,10-85,26	0,75-12,55
Hangzhou	34,65-49,93	5,10-7,35
Suzhou	3,06-17,32	0,45-2,55
Chengdu	21,4-65,90	3,15-9,70

Buying real estate

Of course the most profitable option settle in China - buy your own home. Prices for it will also vary, based on the region of the country and the area of ​​the city in which you choose. And here it is important to remember that when you buy an apartment, you become the owner of only square meters. The land on which the house stands will continue to belong to the state, since it cannot be sold.

In the process of drawing up a sales contract land plot leased to the owner for 50 years. It is difficult to say what will happen after their expiration. But these are the laws. As for the cost, the average indicators for cities can be represented as follows:

Town	Price in yuan for 1 sq.m.	Price in US dollars for 1 sq.m.
Shanghai	21400-58561	3150-8620
Beijing	22895-70654	3370-10400
Hangzhou	15829-27990	2330-4120
Suzhou	8356-24117	1230-3550
Chengdu	6521-16304	960-2400

And do not neglect the advice and feedback of those who have already visited this amazing country, or, even more so, settled in it for a long time. They, like no one else, will be able to tell you how Russians live in China. Make a discount only for the fact that everyone has different tastes, requests and needs.

How to move to China? Working in China and salaries: Video

China is one of the most interesting countries in the world. Ranking first in terms of population, the PRC is an advanced, strong state with an ancient, centuries-old culture and traditions. How ordinary, ordinary Chinese live, interests many who have not been to this mysterious place.

Thanks to the phased implementation of the program to build a "society of average prosperity", the level of income is gradually increasing, more people than a year ago can be ranked among the middle class. The poverty stereotype in China is no longer relevant. The GDP has been steadily growing from year to year for the last 15 years; production, infrastructure and transport are developing. The average salary is $ 905 with a minimum subsistence level of $ 500-800 and varies from region to region.

In villages, people usually live poorer, in cities more prosperous. The difference in income is offset by living costs. In villages, many products are grown independently, the main costs are tools and fuel.

Housing is quite expensive, an apartment in a residential complex costs about $ 7,800 per square meter. Most often purchased with a mortgage:

• The maximum term is 30 years;
• Down payment from 20 to 30%;
• The average percentage is 5.

Conditions depend on income level and region of residence. There is a pension scheme depending on the length of service and profession. Caring for elderly parents is not a necessity, but part of the culture.

Traditions

Customs and religions have evolved in China over 3.5 thousand years, changing, mixing and evolving. The main religion is a mixture of Taoism, Buddhism and the teachings of Confucius. Also profess other world religions that entered the territory in the course of historical interaction with other peoples. Freedom of religion is enshrined in law. Many are surprised how representatives of different confessions live in China without conflicts. The authorities strictly enforce the rule of law, preserving the peace.

Superstitions are highly developed, despite the rapid progress in different areas Sciences. They worship spirits and ancestors. At home, many can find small altars with figurines of gods, candles and incense. When arranging objects, building and decorating premises, it is applied Taoist practice feng shui, which regulates favorable and unfavorable zones in space. Passion and superstition are characteristic features of the Chinese. There are many signs associated with money, wealth. There are also enough negative prejudices associated with death.

Curious: plucked flowers, donated watches in China symbolize death. Bones and skeletons are not recommended to be placed on public images.

Big cities

The choice of area to live largely depends on the goals - study, business, work or leisure. Chinese cities are densely populated. The number of residents is forcing the solution of the issue of space by the massive construction of skyscrapers and high-rise residential complexes made of glass and concrete. Dynamic development stimulates the invitation of foreign specialists. Knowledge of Chinese is not always required, communication in English is enough for work and communication in a large city.

Capital of the People's Republic of China with a population of about 22 million. Residents are dissatisfied with the problems with air pollution, the authorities are taking measures to improve the situation. It is the center of almost all areas of state life with the exception of the economy. This role has historically been played by Hong Kong and Shanghai. Accommodation is more expensive than other places. As in other world capitals, this is due to the abundance of wealthy tourists from all over the world, a high concentration of the main administrative institutions and offices of large corporations.

Despite the difficult history, there are enough landmarks and historically significant objects in Beijing. Among them are:

• Part of the Great Wall;
• Summer Palace;

Also, tourists visit museums, numerous parks and temples.

Along with Hong Kong, it is an important financial and business center with a population of over 24 million inhabitants. It is included in the 50 most expensive cities in the world in terms of prices, being in 47th place, behind the capital of China in 46th position. Divided into special areas for business, universities, recreation. The authorities are constantly working to improve living conditions in the metropolis, creating more green areas and parks.

Interesting: In Shanghai, non-Chinese citizens have the right to buy real estate. Restrictions apply in other regions.

The high business activity is also due to the status of one of the world's largest ports. Historically, the city has been influenced by Western countries. Nowadays, many conferences, meetings, the best international exhibitions are held here. Whole streets are dedicated to shopping enthusiasts. Well developed nightlife with many clubs, bars and discos. Having visited the Chinese resort islands, tourists head here for additional impressions.

The third largest city in China with a population of over 10 million. The center of trade and the main transfer point for many goods. A giant market and business center for wholesalers. Many enterprises are located right here, in a special industrial zone. Various light industry products are often labeled "made in China, made in Guangzhou." An important center of life in southern China, like Beijing and Shanghai, it includes many attractions for tourists, universities and cultural centers.

Many things our people are surprised and shocked by. The difference between the eastern and western mentality affects. The language barrier adds complexity to understanding each other.

Learning Chinese is not always easy, even for those who have lived in the country for some time. The basis of the language is a lot of hieroglyphs and their combinations that change the meaning of the word, unusual pronunciation. Many dialects are causing confusion. Classic, pure language can be heard only on state channels. Most of the world's English-speaking people live in China, but they can be found mainly in large cities. The majority speaks Chinese and its dialects all their lives.

• WeChat. Instead of whatsapp;
• Weibo. Analogue of Twitter;
• Baidu. Notice board, forum;
• Renren. Replaces Facebook.

For Russians, spicy food with specific smells and a frightening look is unusual. Animals, insects, snakes - the locals eat almost anything that moves. The townsfolk talk loudly and often spit in public places.

In Eastern culture, women have historically held a subordinate position. Life in China for them radically changed for the better after the revolution in the middle of the 20th century. Mao Zedong announced that "women hold half of the sky on them." The fair sex received equal rights with men, but the old stereotypes are still alive.

Chinese women do not always receive equal wages with the stronger sex in similar positions. The level of domestic violence is high. But the situation is improving every year as the society develops. It is possible to meet women in politics and business in important positions.

They know how to appreciate the rest. They like to walk in green courtyards, gardens and parks with water channels. In places of public recreation they spend time with benefit - they train, practice gymnastics, play board games, communicate. They love to eat well and tasty. National cuisine varied, but unusual for a European.

Sports and cultural activities play an important role. The government is organizing the massive construction of theaters, museums, sports facilities. Keeps track of how ordinary Chinese live and rest. The main holiday is. The whole country freezes, a long weekend is announced. Relatives come together to meet New Year in the family.

The Chinese strive for collectivism, in contrast to the European desire for independence and individual expression. Philosophy is based on the path to the goal, not the speedy achievement. Status, beautiful photo mean a lot. Those with an oriental mentality are prone to throwing dust in their eyes, overestimating their position in front of others.

Remarkable: Constant fear - to get into a shameful situation, to lose face.

Tradition, custom, and superstition often govern the behavior of the Chinese. Food and drink play an important role, just remember the famous tea ceremony. There are many superstitions associated with money. The Chinese gamble, bills are presented in envelopes for the holidays instead of postcards, and special banknotes are burned for the spirits of their ancestors during the ritual.

China is becoming more and more open. Foreign specialists are invited to work, students are expected to study in international programs, tourists are always welcome. Despite the difference in mentality, ordinary Chinese are mostly ordinary people with standard joys and problems.

May 21, 2012 5:36 pm

At any move of a person who does not have a strong attachment to the Motherland, first there is a feeling of euphoria. For the first two or three months, everything around is new, interesting ... After this period, a number of things start to be wildly annoying, because this was not the case in previous places of residence. My period of irritation lasted another four months and ended a month ago, incl. it's time to write about life here. I live in Guangzhou, the southern center of the country, the third most important city after Beijing and Shanghai. It is never cold here (with me the temperature did not drop below +7), but it can be very hot, but this moment is still ahead, periodically, unexpectedly heavy rain showers sneak up, and constantly high humidity.
Guangzhou is a fairly new city, so it is extremely stressful with sights, except for the numerous parks.
About real estate I live in business center cities. Several years ago, all buildings in the area were demolished and new ones were built in their place. The prices for the purchase of real estate here are now very high and, until recently, have grown at a cosmic pace: 3.2 times in 2 years. For example, if we wanted to buy a rented apartment, we would have to pay 50.5 million rubles. - 210,000 rubles / m2 (in fairness, it should be noted that today this house is the most prestigious apartment house in the center of Guangzhou).
The amount we pay as rent is also quite high, with one but: for this money we would never rent an apartment of the same size and level either in Moscow, or in St. Petersburg, or in Lausanne. The bulk of visitors rents real estate with an area of ​​120 - 200 m2 for 20,000 - 40,000 rubles. The Chinese themselves, like the Russians, are more inclined to buy, since, unlike in Russia, the mortgage interest here is very low.
Choosing an apartment and an office, I realized that I did not want to live / be in the place where someone lived / was before me, because the local population easily and naturally stains everything around, including the walls ... including their feet. This is what a typical Chinese office looks like:
Chinese construction companies have no concept of quality interior decoration. For example: they take an outlet wrapped in plastic wrap, mount it, and then remove the tape without caring that A - pieces sticking out, B - film and electricity are not best friends. The hose in the main bathroom was torn by the tension of the water - this happened a year after the house was put into operation. Pulling up the marble slab (solid marble, not tiles), we saw that the installed hose was second-hand. When the same slab was raised again, it fell apart in half, i.e. Apparently it was neatly glued together, otherwise it stopped keeping it from the water ... About everyday life For the first two months I lived in a hotel. Accordingly, as soon as we moved, we decided to celebrate this joyful event with self-prepared food. Our kitchen is fully equipped with built-in appliances: "oven", built-in refrigerators, stove, " Dishwasher”, Even a TV on a bracket. Having happily bought a chicken, I decided to bake it. She took out a baking sheet from the “oven” (why the oven is in quotation marks), laid the carcass on it, loaded it into the “oven” and began to choose a program, since the miracle technique writes in English. The machine offered only a double boiler, but I still found how to remove the word double boiler and switch to cooking meat. I pressed “start”, “oven” asked to pour water into a specially designated container. I am a kind lady, and there is nowhere to go - the unit does not work without water, I poured it. And then the process of steaming my game began ... The oven turned out to be a double boiler. Likewise, the dishwasher turned out to be a sterilizer. It turns out that for the Chinese, simply washed dishes are not clean, they sterilize them, even at home. A cleaning lady comes to us twice a week, her visits cost 4,000 rubles a month. She manages to clean the apartment, iron the bed linen and things in 2.5 hours. The secret is that in China people do not really like to use household chemicals (especially those that smell harsh) - they just wash with water. The bulk of the population does not know how to iron, it is not accepted here, clothes are dried and put on. There are many dry cleaners with a price difference of 2-3 times, I started with the road and became convinced that more expensive does not mean better. Now, for 1000 rubles, I manage to clean about 8 things. We bought the furniture for the apartment ourselves (in general, apartments in China are rented furnished). Our owners had five properties in the house and only one of them did not have time to buy anything except a TV stand. Accordingly, we agreed on an independent arrangement with the condition that we do not actually pay for the first two months of the lease. As a result, instead of the terrible furniture that the landlord would buy us, we got pretty decent things, spending a little more than the allotted amount on them. As an example of prices: for 100,000 rubles. I managed to buy dinner table, coffee table and TV stand made of solid stone.
By the way, when concluding a lease agreement, you make a 2-month deposit, which is returned at the end of the lease term, in addition, you and the owner pay 50% of the monthly rental amount to the agent as a reward. In a normal situation, you have to register in a rented property and pay a monthly tax - 8% of the monthly amount under the contract. But if you have not a business, but a business visa, then you can skip the registration procedure :). The rent here is charged once every 2 months. These bills must be paid no later than a week after receipt. The date before the end of which this must be done is indicated in the invoice. It is not worth forgetting and postponing this event, from the very first day of delay, penalties are charged in the amount of 3% of the invoice amount (for comparison, in Switzerland, 8% per year). In order to pay for the Internet, you need to get a card in one of the banks in China: money will be debited from it automatically. About banks: never in any country in the world have I seen such a copper service and such a transfer of paper to completely unnecessary operations. For example: you need to change money. There are special exchange offices only in tourist places, respectively, everyone goes to the bank, since there are branches and ATMs at every corner. Main building of the agricultural bank: If there are 2 people in front of me, and there is only one cashier, then I can be sure that I will spend at least an hour and fifteen minutes in the bank. Bank employees check passport data 10 times with those indicated in the application for currency exchange. They make a copy of the passport itself and keep it for themselves. You fill out the exchange form yourself, if there are several currencies, then there should be several forms. Each form consists of 4 self-copying sheets, each of which is stamped by a bank employee. Then he prints a couple more papers, on the same sheets, and checks your money from all sides ... your map. Moreover, you are not entitled to exchange more than 50,000 US dollars per calendar year (if you change euros or any other currency, they will be converted to dollars first, and only then to yuan). ATMs here are of varying degrees of friendliness to foreign cards: some allow you to withdraw no more than 1000 yuan at a time (5000 rubles) and no more than 5000-6000 per day, others - 3000 one-time. As soon as you try to withdraw more than 20,000 (100,000 rubles) in a day, it does not matter which bank you started your operations with, you will be denied this procedure and you will have to wait until tomorrow to continue. This is a limitation of local banks, as the daily limit on my cards is higher than this amount. In general, what is interesting: withdrawing money and paying in cash turns out to be more profitable than paying for purchases with cards in dollars, euros and Swiss francs, and it is better to use ruble cards as cards. The transaction itself takes longer than in Russia, and as a result you receive several checks, some of which are again on self-copying paper. About friends I found my first friend using a search engine on Gossip. I wrote to the girl in a personal message, and on the 3-4th day of my stay in China, we met. In general, it is much easier for a person of a European type to make friends here than in Switzerland and even Russia: you are sharply different from everyone around you and this gives rise to communication at the very first visual contact. There are many foreigners in China, so there are no problems with communication. In addition to Russians, we have friends from Italy, the United States, Canada, Slovakia, Syria, India, Great Britain, Singapore, Mexico, the Netherlands, Austria and, of course, China.

About food When I first moved to China, I persistently invited everyone to go to a Chinese restaurant and did not understand why no one was particularly keen. We now eat Chinese food every two weeks. Chinese restaurants are much cheaper than European restaurants, the food in them is delicious (the scary the restaurant, the tastier it is, and, for my taste, in the north of the country the dishes are tastier than in the south), but after the scandals about recycled oil, posts about beef and eggs, I rarely want to taste something local. On the street you can buy a lot of all smelly nasty stuff (not maggots and other rubbish, which is still here as exotic), but stinky tofu, disgusting meat of an incomprehensible animal, chicken paws (not legs, but paws) and God knows what .. If you want European food of decent quality, then we found only two stores, the prices in them are higher than in Switzerland, and it turns out that going to a restaurant is more profitable than cooking at home.
For example, a package with mozzarella in rubles will cost 240 rubles, against 80 in Switzerland. Parmesan - 500 rubles for a small triangle, versus 220 rubles in Switzerland (I don't know Russian prices for these products, so I can't compare). By the way, in any restaurant in China, you get tea or water for free. There are relatively expensive fruits here, but cheap vegetables and fish, whose carcass is about 22-25 cm long, costs 75 rubles, and this despite the fact that I do not go to the market. And I don't go there because the Chinese like to eat freshly killed animals. Chickens, rabbits, piglets sit in cages, fish swim in aquariums: you choose who you want to eat, they kill and skin them in front of you. Of course, I understand that those, parts of whom I buy in the store, were also killed by someone, but I can't help but take part in the process, it's easier for me to give up consumption.
The Chinese do not like freshly slaughtered meat, and in fact no one ever buys it in stores, so what you can find there does not look fresh even at the time of purchase, and after a night in the refrigerator it generally deteriorates. As a result: at home we cook a maximum of once a week or two, and the rest of the time we eat in restaurants, regularly ordering home delivery (you can order virtually everything from McDonald's to food from fairly decent European restaurants). All delivery is carried out using bicycles and orders are accepted only by those restaurants that are relatively close. Water, and tap cannot be used here, comes in the same way. About transport Since we are holders of business visas, and driving in China requires a Chinese license, which can be passed by a person living officially, we do not have a car. The main transport for moving around the city is a taxi. It's very cheap, as a rule, I fit in 50 - 100 rubles, and it's convenient - there are a lot of them. The only disadvantage of taxi drivers changing shifts at 18.00, just when everyone finishes work, respectively, it is better not to leave the office / home until 18.40, because all these 30-40 minutes you will be waiting for a free car.
Motorcycles and mopeds for moving around the city are prohibited here. The Chinese drive as they want: they can easily ride along a one-way street in the opposite direction, they easily carry out the same movement at a roundabout, never let pedestrians pass, do not react to red lights, do not look in mirrors when changing lanes, therefore they do not like to drive next to each other. Metro. The metro is clean, tidy, no one spits, eats or drinks, but trains run much less often than ours, about once every 5 minutes. The ticket price is from 10 rubles or more, depending on the duration of the trip (living in the center for more than 30 rubles, I could not ride). Buses. I rode them 3 times. Clean, air conditioning works well. If you have an IPhone, then on the map, when you enter the place where you need to get, it will be shown what kind of transport and what route number you need to get there.
Trains. On trains, the air conditioner works in such a way that you always want to put on something warmer. My colossal mistake was getting on the train for more than an hour in shorts and a T-shirt. I was shaking all the way. In China, there are many high-speed trains with which you can cover a very decent distance in an hour or three. It's bad that these trains do not always go in the directions where you would like to go. By the way, on all trains you will always be given a bottle of water free of charge. I saw long-distance trains only from the side and I did not like them: three levels of shelves, you can buy standing places (and stand, for example, 15 hours!), Sitting, recumbent and recumbent deluxe (deluxe = Russian compartment, not SV). Airplane. From the Chinese companies, I used China Southern Airlines and did not like it: on long flights, they do not always give earplugs, they feed disgustingly, they do not give toothbrush and pasta. Moreover, they do not have large airplanes, therefore, there are no personal TVs in the economy. The price of air tickets in Europe is more humane than in China.
About the toilet This topic deserves a separate post. Can you imagine a hole in the floor that someone decided to refine by giving it a ceramic shape? - This is the local toilet. (In my opinion, something similar pops up in my memory when I remember going to the lavatory at the dacha railway station in the years of the USSR.) These toilets are still being built in new class A shopping malls (in A +, it's still a familiar option) ... They are at all train stations, airports, in the lion's share of local restaurants ... The Chinese believe that this is more hygienic, but I could not see hygiene in the described floor. About medicine Medicine in China is expensive. An ambulance comes only for money, the health insurance system is poorly developed and does not have any state support. There are also no polyclinics, only hospitals where you do not need to be really sick to visit a doctor, and private clinics. I once went to a private clinic, paid 12,500 rubles for an examination, and realized that I would never return there. Once I was in the hospital and I also realized that I didn't want to go there anymore ... You can buy everything in pharmacies without a prescription, the problem is that everyone writes in Chinese. You have to tell the pharmacist the active ingredient of the drug in English and hope that you have been understood correctly. Local tablets differ from European ones in that they need to be eaten 3-4 times at a time, otherwise they do not work. (When I caught a cold, I ate 12 tablets a day.) About beauty salons I have never seen peeling varnish on the nails of Chinese women: either there is no varnish, or it looks all applied. Manicure and pedicure are trimmed, for both procedures together in the basic version, the price ranges from 400 to 1500 rubles. There are no special chairs anywhere: just chairs with pillows of varying degrees of cleanliness. Styling costs from 100 to 800 rubles nonsense, but a good professional hairdryer is available only in "expensive" places. Finding a good place for haircuts and dyeing is very difficult for people of the European type: the Chinese have completely different hair, and they do not know how to work with ours. Massage is everywhere, anyone. Starting from 125 rubles for 40 minutes of massage of the feet and back, in an unpresentable place, ending with a two-hour massage of the whole body for 5800 rubles. at the Ritz. All salon treatments not popular with local population are obscenely expensive. Hardware cosmetology is not developed at all, despite the mass production of the devices themselves. As an example: LPG 5500 rubles. in 30 minutes. Solarium 450 rubles for 8 minutes in a cabin very far from modernity. Anti-cellulite wrap - 5800 rubles, done only at the Ritz. Epilation - wax, the rest is not even worth dreaming about, bikini - 2500 rubles. and do not know how to do it. For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the rest of the places can be epilated cheaply. In general, Chinese women are not afraid to walk with hairy legs and even more hairy armpits ... With cosmetology, in our usual sense of the word, everything is extremely neglected here. About clothes Immediately I want to debunk the myth about cheap and good shopping in China, for a person who is accustomed to a certain level of quality of purchased things - it is not here. I have several acquaintances who believe that they produce luxury goods in Chinese factories - bags, wallets. When I look at things, I think that people have not even seen this very luxury - interesting models, but disgusting quality of leather, accessories and trimmings. By no means am I saying that it is not possible to establish the production of something really worthy here, but this process will take a lot of time and effort. The Chinese and I have a different concept of product quality: they will turn the thing inside out, see how smooth the seams are, even buying a sweater for 100 rubles on the street, but they will never think to soberly evaluate the material from which it is made. The Chinese women themselves dress quite well, but as a rule, everything looks decent only from a distance of five meters. They hardly wear jeans, many in skirts / dresses and heels. Either they don't use cosmetics at all, or they wear pronounced false eyelashes ... In general, China is very simple in terms of clothing, like a kind of balance between Russia and Switzerland, i.e. no one will look askance at you if you dress up right in the morning, and there will be no judgmental glances in the absence of makeup and proper clothes in the evening. An open neckline is allowed here only in the dark. An open belly equates to a bare chest for us, but at the same time, Chinese women can easily put on a skirt that looks more like a wide belt, or shorts that look like panties, and put on tights with "panties" under this skirt / shorts, most of which will stick out. Glasses without glasses are also very fashionable. I was in the local clothing market and saw things that looked quite decent, but nothing could be tried on there. I was in the handbag market and found something there, deformed in half a month of socks. I have not been and will not go to places where local shoes are sold ... When it comes to shopping malls, decent European brands are 30% more expensive here than in Europe / Hong Kong, and in any store, sellers will be on your heels, hoping that they will still be able to sell you something ... I finally tied it up with shopping in China, since Hong Kong is only 2 hours away. About sport
The Chinese go in for sports a lot. Elderly people do it in the mornings or evenings in parks ( different kinds gymnastics and martial arts - I'm not a specialist and I'm not particularly interested in names, dancing), young people in fitness centers, of which there are a lot.
There are many table tennis tables in the parks. Basketball and badminton are very popular. Surprisingly, the Chinese swim very poorly. At sea, the lion's share of swimmers, regardless of gender and age, put on lifebuoys, and this despite the fact that you can swim only in strictly designated areas, limited so that even with my 160 cm in height, I always reach with my feet to the bottom without diving even a part faces into the water. Local swimsuits deserve a separate topic, they are so closed (by the way, there are no thongs in ordinary lingerie stores either) that the already long-distance legs of Chinese women are shortened wildly: monokini without the slightest semblance of a neckline, with shorts and a skirt partially covering them. In Russia / Europe, this is sewn only for very young girls, and even then with a more open bottom. Features of the behavior of the local population The Chinese are divided into two categories: those who speak English and everyone else. The peculiarities of the thinking of these groups are completely different, for the former they are very close to the European ones, for the rest, of whom the overwhelming majority, is absolutely illogical for us. I will not write about those who are able to speak a foreign language, I will write about the rest. They never wait for other people to come out from somewhere, regardless of whether the elevator has arrived to the first floor, or the train stopped at the platform - they will not let you get out, they will immediately climb inside, and not along the wall, but in the very center of the aisle ... If you are standing and hailing a taxi, these wonderful people quite easily, coming up from the back, will stop two meters in front of you: the taxi stops next to the one who is closer. If the taxi stops a couple of meters away from you, the Chinese will come running and get into the car first. They chomp wildly not only when they eat, but also when they chew gum. Belching is also not a sign of bad upbringing. They talk very loudly. They do not like Americans and all persons without a bright national identity are referred to them. They will not sit next to you in a sushi bar, because they think that sitting next to unlucky people (the Chinese love their country so much that they believe that it is possible to leave somewhere else only if you are not at all successful in your homeland) It reflects badly on their karma, but at the same time local beggars believe that even poor newcomers are cultured people, and it is their direct duty to help their neighbors, unlike their compatriots. The Chinese are not aggressive and peaceful, you will never find yourself in a situation where you are scared to walk down the street, but absolutely unclean. Spitting is officially prohibited, but 5 percent of the population does not know about this prohibition. A Chinese smile is a sign of embarrassment. When a man goes on a date with a girl, he will definitely remember everything that she likes and will feed / offer to do just that every next time (I liked ice cream - get it at every meeting, I like to eat sushi - go to the sushi bar ...). When shopping or going to a restaurant, a man always pays. The local population is very easy on the rise, they can be called somewhere right now. They do not argue with the elders here: if mom / dad / grandmother said, then it will be so. The wedding, regardless of the age of the spouses, must be approved by the relatives. A woman, if she is not married, has no right to give birth to a child. If she somehow still manages to do this, the child will never have a passport and other documents that allow a normal existence (I asked if it was possible to buy documents - based on the answers of the interlocutors - no). They have absolutely no developed creative thinking, it is completely suppressed by the local school curriculum. (By the way, schoolchildren go to school in tracksuits) Since the population of the country is huge, each person has his own very narrow specialization: the driver of the delivery car postal items does not distribute it, the seller does not work with the cashier ... In general, China reminds me in many ways of Russia 10 years ago: - there is a possibility of quick earnings; - everything is decided by the necessary acquaintances; - the more expensive it is bought, the better thing(price is more important than quality); - boasting about how expensive you bought something or how much you spent on something is imperative (the amount that you will be told in this case may differ several times from the real cost), - restaurants and clubs in the most appropriate majority are good only the first six months after opening. P.S. Everything written is my subjective opinion, my own photos.

- The Chinese do not have any taboo on this - everyone relieves his needs wherever he pleases. Of course, public toilets are built at every step, and no one would think to charge for them, like some. But the sight of children peeing right in the middle of a brisk street or next to a cafe does not bother anyone, for sure. In children, the incision on the bottom of the pants, in theory, in order to change the diaper, but careless parents often leave the child for a walk just like that, naked.

- In everyday life, belching, blowing your nose, spitting, letting go of gas and other joys. Moreover, it looks especially "cute" on the adorned princess girls. Everyone makes loud and disgusting noises all the time when eating, after, and between meals. They say - “you can't restrain yourself, there evil spirits sit! ”. A deafening sneeze - in my opinion, one of the national sports - who is louder.

- It is an unwritten law that boys buy pads for their girls, and girls buy condoms. The sight of another fashionista with a hostoheir on his head, all perfumed and dressed up, with a focus on choosing maxi pads always makes me wildly amused.

It's okay if you live in a family with your parents and your mom buys you condoms (oh horror ....)

Cold.

This is something that wildly pisses me off, both in Japan and in China, and defies logic. In the cold season in shops, cafes, hotels, etc. doors and windows wide open. Apparently, so that no one would think that they are suddenly closed. Central heating no, or rather, it is sooo rare. Because of this, everything in public places is penetrating cold.

Asians warm themselves, the body, not the room. Doctors, students, service staff, everyone, everyone, everyone works, shaking from the cold, in street clothes with a uniform on top. I stubbornly don’t understand why it’s impossible to close the window and door - after all, the room will still get warmer? But they love fresh air too much.

With convulsions I remember the ice toilet in our hostel in Tokyo, the window of which was always open, no matter how much you closed it. I don’t know who does it. Also perfume, I guess. We, not giving a damn about the wildest dryness of the skin, never turn off the air conditioner, but the maid in our absence always opens the windows wide open. It's hot for you, poor, - he says.

My biggest breakdown happened in Shanghai, when we were given a huge room in which we could safely store frozen meat. In search of the source of wind and frost, it was discovered that wise people stupidly stuck the hose from the conduit into the half-open sash of the window. Accordingly, there is no way to close the window and the wind happily walks around the room. The hotel workers reacted to my indignation with undisguised surprise. “It's not cold,” they say. "Sleep." We plugged the hole with towels, shrugging our shoulders. But it was still the coldest night of my life. We made a wigwam out of blankets and slept there, clutching each other like koalas. The next morning we changed our room to a small one, but without national peculiarities.

Food.

- Yes, they eat all kinds of things. Both scorpions and caterpillars. But it's more of a delicacy, for fun. Here something else is more interesting - they eat all the time and just in incredible quantities. Any slender kunya eats a bowl of ramen and a 10-course meal in one sitting, showing the wonders of Asian metabolism.

- Choudofu. If you've ever been to the Chinese market, the first thing that literally knocks you off your feet is the wild stench from fried chowdofu - literally “stinky tofu”. This is old moldy tofu, a delicacy again. Like blue cheese. My friends say they don’t eat this, but they assure us that it’s wildly healthy.

- When eating, all garbage is thrown on the floor. "We are not pigs to put waste next to food!" - they say.

- Interesting stereotypes about food: they claim that potatoes contribute to a good figure, for example.

- They drink hot water all the time! This is generally a panacea for everything - for digestion, and for the throat, and warms, and you lose weight. From my own experience I know that it is hot water that Chinese doctors advise to drink from everything. Even if the leg fell off. Therefore, everyone goes with kawaii thermos. Water can be drunk everywhere - dispensers and thermoses with water are for everyone to use anywhere.

Clothing and style.

- Everyone wears ugg boots of all modifications and does not sweat. Ugg boots cost 25-30 yuan.

- In the Chinese winter (zero, plus ten) they wear a bunch of clothes (see Chill). Terry underwear is very fashionable, all sorts of undershirts with long sleeves and leggings with fur inside. I was given this at work, for the princess, I wear it and I am happy.

- What can not but rejoice - no matter how you dress, no one will point a finger. Grannies chase in hellokitti shorts, businessmen in pink sneakers, fashionable coons with women's bags.

- Asians have an amazing gift for combining things and colors. Anything that would look ridiculous or look on a European woman will be a premium on an Asian woman.

Relationship.

- Well, as usual, it is not customary to kiss in public.

- If a couple started dating, it is 90% of the time for life. Going through partners is bad manners.

- At the same time, the girl has the right to meet with several guys at the same time, if she has not decided yet. The guy has no such advantage.

It's okay if a girl at a bar comes with a guy and flirts with another. Chooses.

- Guys love slender girls. Girls complain to me that no one will date a chubby girl.

- The guys, in turn, complain to me about the frivolity and the huge demands of the girls.

- I saw the program where they asked the guys under 25 - who would they choose as a girl? 95% want a foreigner, but only a blonde.