Nicole, tell us what made you first decide to become an expat. I met my husband James on a blind date. He was a hotelier, and I was a television newsreader. I can distinctly remember him saying on one of our early dates that, ‘in his career, they like you to continue progressing and that … Read more

With a population of almost 1.4 billion people and some of the busiest cities in the world, China rarely draws in expats who are looking for peace and quiet! But if you’re after hustle, bustle, and a culture unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, China may be the place for you.Opening a bank account in China … Read more

China has the third biggest landmass and the largest population of any country, with over 1.4 billion people. Its vibrant culture and incredible history make it a fascinating place to visit. If you think that expat life in China might be for you, then you’ll need to consider your accommodation options. This article will take … Read more

Despite a decade or so of reforms to the system, healthcare in China is still often cited as “substandard” and largely “inconsistent”. Having said that, the system has seen plenty of progress, particularly throughout the rural regions of the country. It’s no secret that the standard of care differs greatly depending on where you are … Read more

China’s public healthcare falls under its social insurance plan. Since 2006, China has been undertaking large-scale reforms across its healthcare system. Under these reforms, around 800 million rural residents gained basic medical coverage, with the central and provincial governments covering between 30% and 80% of medical costs. By 2011, more than 95% of the total … Read more

China can be a challenging place in which to work and live. If you are an expat in the country, it is important to take care of your mental health. Please read on for tips on how best to do this, as well as for more general information about mental health in China.Mental health disorders … Read more

Note: This article assumes a normal state of affairs in China and cannot predict future developments concerning the COVID-19 coronavirus. As long as the coronavirus crisis continues, always check official government guidance before travelling.You will need insurance if you want any kind of medical treatment in China. Beyond a simple visit to the doctor, costs … Read more

Note: This article assumes a normal state of affairs in China and cannot predict future developments concerning the COVID-19 coronavirus. As long as the coronavirus crisis continues, always check official government guidance before travelling.Appointment apps If you need a doctor’s appointment, it is worth noting that these are in very short supply, will involve a … Read more

Over the last five years, China has put various measures in place to raise the quality of medical care and treatments. Historically, richer citizens have resorted to travelling abroad to receive treatment. For example, to Hong Kong, Japan or even further afield. This option is not available to poorer citizens, who have therefore sometimes seen … Read more

In China, expats can choose between public, private or international hospitals for their maternity care. Home births are rare, except in the case of Chinese families in remote rural areas. Although private health insurance is not mandatory in China, it will limit your options if you do not have sufficient medical cover.Average costs range from … Read more

Note: This article assumes a normal state of affairs in China and cannot predict future developments concerning the COVID-19 coronavirus. As long as the coronavirus crisis continues, always check official government guidance before travelling. China has a national healthcare system, but the healthcare provided varies significantly in terms of cost, quality, and accessibility to foreign … Read more

Note: This article assumes a normal state of affairs in China and cannot predict future developments concerning the COVID-19 coronavirus. As long as the coronavirus crisis continues, always check official government guidance before travelling. China has national health coverage, but there are significant variations in the standards of care, especially between urban and rural settings. … Read more

China is home to some of the most advanced complementary medicine in the world. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practised in the country for thousands of years, along with many other types of therapy, and you will have little trouble accessing complementary therapies if you are working in China or simply visiting.TCM includes practices … Read more

If you are between 14 and 70 years old, you will need to make your visa application in person at a visa application centre. As part of the application process, you will need to provide your biometric data (scanned fingerprints). Biometric data may also be checked/collected by immigration when you enter China, to register your … Read more

China’s buoyant economy offers good job prospects and the number of expats working in China rose from 180,000 in 1996 to over 950,000 by the end of 2018. Opportunities are expanding beyond language teaching to positions in IT, sales, media and marketing. Roles in politics, IT or finance tend to be concentrated in major cities … Read more

As an expat living in China, there is a lot to consider before sending your child to school. Besides the language barrier, other factors include school fees and proficiency to learn. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know about education and schools in China.The Chinese curriculum follows the American system of education. … Read more

International travel is an exciting adventure for business people seeking new challenges: however for children taken along for the ride, it can be a tumultuous experience. Stephen Spriggs of William Clarence Education, who work with families across the globe, will bring you a series of insights on expat life: first up we look at the … Read more

China is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and the world. The Chinese currency is known as the renminbi, and is one of the most competitive currencies in the Forex market. Renminbi (meaning ‘money for the people’) is the most commonly used term locally, although yuan is another word for money.Chinese money consists … Read more

The Republic of China has undoubtedly become a global superpower over the last decade or so. This country has come a long way in terms of economic development, having experienced an average GDP growth of 10% or so per year, right up until 2014. The per capita GDP growth has been almost 50-fold from US$ … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at China and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.China ExpatsFacebook Group With nearly 6,000 members, … Read more

For many thinking of moving to China, the first option that comes to mind is the capital city of Beijing. But there are many advantages to settling down in one of China’s other cities. One of the main advantages of moving to a smaller city in China is the reduced cost of living. Accommodation costs … Read more

China is becoming more important as a market for employers around the world and it’s also growing in popularity for start-ups too. However, regardless of business size here are some tips on how to succeed in one of the world’s biggest markets. Competition is fierce in business and it can be a challenge finding Chinese … Read more

Funky Chicken, you wrote Why The Chicken Crossed The World, a book of true stories. Tell us a bit about the book and its aims. Expats living in China are seeing, living, and breathing an amazing opportunity to see the world’s largest emerging market, while it is still emerging. How cool is that? My aim … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at China and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Speaking of China www.speakingofchina.com Ohio native Jocelyn’s blog was inspired by her … Read more

There are more expats leaving Beijing than arriving, with expats telling media outlets that increasing living costs and stagnating pay packages are among their reasons for going. Official figures reveal that the number of expats in Beijing peaked in 2010 and has begun to fall since then.In a concerted effort to understand why so many … Read more

China’s economy is one of the fastest developing economies in the world. Foreigners, especially those with specialized skills, are able to find lucrative employment due to the increase in job opportunities and business prospects that have occurred over the years. China has a huge number of foreigners living and working within the country, and for … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at China and some of the bloggers who write about living there. Travel Cathay http://travelcathay.com/ Gaetan is an expat living in South-West China and blogging … Read more

Living in Shanghai can provide a much-needed break from the dependence on too many processed and packaged foods. You will find that fresh food is available widely across the country. Most streets have small fruit and vegetable stalls and the wet markets are stocked with fresh meat and produce. Considering these healthy food habits, it … Read more

Your stay in China can be many things, but one thing it’s least likely to be is boring. This is a country where unexpected surprises greet you at every corner. The natural beauty is breathtaking and the cities are complex and sophisticated. The truth is that it may never be possible to truly explore the … Read more

Shanghai, being a global financial center and the commercial hub of china, is a busy city with a large population. The city caters to the needs of its citizens, expats and tourists through a wide network of public transportation services. Since adjusting to the complex grid of buses, trains and taxis in a bustling metro … Read more

Expats usually experience a subtler form of culture shock when living in China’s big cities because of the robust economy and rapid development. These cities have become global destinations for business and industry, and draw numerous foreigners to their shores each year. However there are some variations in culture and lifestyle that may take some … Read more

Driving in Shanghai can be tricky if you’re not used to it. The traffic is chaotic on city streets, drivers do not always stop at red lights or yield to pedestrians and common driving practices include tailgating, switching lanes without glancing into the rear-view mirror and signaling a turn only once the vehicle starts to … Read more