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This I agree with. The environment to start new business and products is much easier in China that US for many reasons (cash available, risk aversion, thinking short-term only, lack of tort reform, etc.). I am always amazed at how easily my Chinese friends and family will jump from one business opportunity to another when things are not working out even if they know nothing about the new business they go into. Somehow they make a little money until something else comes along and a few of them had make a lot of money and are growing their business. In that respect that definitely take more risk than Americans. So of it seems to be from a "it cant be any worse attitude" and from knowing their family will be there to pick them up if they fall until they are back on their feet. Just my observations and feelings. However when they are in a stable job/organization then they will rarely push back and usually are "yes" men to the boss but then go away and do it their own way. When you take about delivering on promises I see that too. You get a lot of promises but trying to keep the focus on the promise is difficult. A lot of times they meet the deadline but because they delayed and lost focus the quality is sub-par. I remember one of our marketing and sales expats telling me that the sales team would go out of sales trip and come back excited because they had increased sales. When asked how much more product they had sold the salesman would reply oh no more product but they would like a swimming pool so I told them we could do it for them. It was tongue-in-cheek but I got his point and I have seen similar examples. They are easy to become interested in a new business but also easy to lose interest. On the whole both cultures could learn from each other. For me I was sent here to start-up and optimize plants and teach the engineers international standards and efficient/safe plant operation. However I quickly realized there was a lot for me to learn and take back to the USA from here. I am sure back in the USA I will be saying things like "You got to be kidding me!! If I was back in China we could do that 10 times faster and 5 times cheaper without any bitching about needing to work overtime or on Sunday"

Great News Robert!!! This kind of news is what this site is really about ...... Wonderful to hear it from you.

Good observations and expressions Tsap.

What do you think she means by living "a quiet life" ? What I got out of it was probably she doesnt care about a big house, nice car, lots of nice things in the house. She just wants to live in a normal house, and have the necessities for living. I think the term is more like a "simple life." Well ya know, im just saying exactly what she told me Exactly -- "quiet life" is chinglish for "simple life" ...

The CCP sometimes fabricates or exaggerates national-level fears precisely for the purpose of distracting attention. Most Chinese people, left to themselves, care much more about their own daily lives than about distant places like Taiwan or Tibet. They wake up in the morning worried more about a corrupt local official than about the Dalai Lama. But when CCP propaganda tells them repeatedly that the wolf-hearted Dalai Lama is splitting the motherland, they tend to embrace the view that it is bad to split the motherland and that the CCP is the standard-bearer in opposing this splitting. The stimulation of a fear that did not previously exist has less to do with actual danger than with the CCP’s need to strengthen its popular image and divert attention from popular complaints. In recent years the CCP has used incidents involving Japan, Tibet, Taiwan, and the United States for this purpose. In the case of Tibet there is evidence that the triggering incidents themselves have been manufactured for the cause. I can look at our govt. and see both parties doing the same thing - diverting attention from the real problems and trying to gain votes by painting the other party or other countries as being the bad guy. It would be nice to see the evidence of the incidents being manufactured regarding the case of Tibet or any of the other claims they make in this article. Looks interesting to me more from the standpoint that a bunch of "self proclaimed experts" seem hell bent to start and flame a Cold War with China. {edited to remove the bullshit political cheap shot}

Great News!! Glad you guys made it safely!!!!

Maybe this is in their personal life. Having worked with the factory operators and engineers for over 3 years I would not say the Chinese are risk takers. If they can't CYA or push it up to the next level for a decision than nothing gets done. Trying to encourage team building and working across departments and at the same co-worker level can sometimes be really frustrating. If you don't have the correct "power" title you can find it a long battle to lead by example. Much different than in the States.

I did not want to be the first the say it but I will be the first to second it ...

If the I-130/I-129F were approved and arrived together at NVC then they may have closed the K3 visa case. You should call NVC during working hours and ask them directly and request for it to processed if you want to go this route. Now that you have the GUZ number for the I-130 you can OPTIN for electronic processing. From OPTIN until GUZ interview can be as short as 3 months if you stay on top of everything and have no delays on your end. NVC will not close a K-3 case. The automated phone system does not provide information for K-Visas, only IMMIGRANT visa cases like CR-1 and IR-1. You need to call and TALK to an operator to check status for K-Visas. So here is the deal you have a choice, since you know the GUZ number for the I-130 (CR-1) case you can proceed with electronic processing and more than likely get interviewed for CR-1 (IMMIGRANT) visa before or within days of a K-3. If you get the NVC processing of CR-1 done and on to consulate while the consulate is handling the paperwork for K-3, the consulate will drop the K-3 in favor of the CR-1. Electronic NVC processing here: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37703 The only advantage that I have seen for K-3 is IF you have a shaky case that may result in a denial (Lots of red flags not addressed when filing petition) holding the I-130 in reserve may give you a second attempt at a visa (Plan - . I did see one member have a K-3 DENIED and then move the approved I-130 through to an approval of CR-1 visa with the help of a lawyer. See link to previous topic regarding possible closure of K3. http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...st&p=541967 How will the Department of State process my K-3 visa petition? Important Notice: Effective February 1st, 2010, when both the I-129F petition for a nonimmigrant K visa and the I-130 petition for an IR-1 (or CR-1) spouse of a U.S. citizen visa have been approved by USCIS and sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), the availability as well as the need for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa ends. If the NVC receives both petitions: The nonimmigrant K visa will be administratively closed. The application process explained below will not be applicable and cannot be used. The NVC will contact the petitioner and you with instructions for processing your IR-1 (or CR-1) immigrant visa. For more information on the immigrant visa process review the Immigrant Visa for a Spouse webpage

If the I-130/I-129F were approved and arrived together at NVC then they may have closed the K3 visa case. You should call NVC during working hours and ask them directly and request for it to processed if you want to go this route. Now that you have the GUZ number for the I-130 you can OPTIN for electronic processing. From OPTIN until GUZ interview can be as short as 3 months if you stay on top of everything and have no delays on your end.

Don't forget the most important part: Open the packet of chicken feet and trim off any claws still attached. Just another example of how badly the translation from english to chinese for the word salad has been made in China. I cannot count the number of times I ordered and looked forward to a good salad from an expensive western food resturant and ended up with some slices of uneatable veg. covered in sesame seed oil. Oh, and don't get me started on Ceasar Dressings I've had. I guess shortly it will be payback time for my wife as I get to watch her eat Chinese food in the USA and give me the same "WTF is this" look I sometimes give her over here ...

I think it is a way of saying they need to move to a more transparent govt. in regards to this issue. One of democracies hallmarks is its transparency and requirement to answer to the people. I am just not sure it is really in practice ... anywhere ..

comments from the article: Expectations of higher wages and better working conditions from new workers are being blamed for the labour shortage. Some experts point out though that if companies are faced with a shortage of workers, that could force them to invest in new technology. In that way the shortages may actually help to speed up the transformation of the economy here into one that is less labour intensive, delivering higher value.

I found this in the link Tony n Terrific posted about labor shortage in PRD. This goes along with this topic. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8465901.stm However I don't know what population set or source the BBC used for this information.

You should know better than that. No government employee legally earns 200k per year. Cabinet level officials (i.e. ministers) have a net salary of about 6 - 7k. When you say state-owned bank it can be confusing because in one way or another the government owns every bank in China with the exception of those like HSBC, perhaps. If you mean employees of the traditional Big Four, there is no way anybody except for, perhaps, the very senior management to legally earn 200k per year. It would be a miracle if a branch manager or even an area branch manager took home 7k per month. The typical bonus for any of these people is a 13th month salary. I can echo Bill's point as the government workers in China are low-paid when compared with those who work in the private sector. They often receive a few other benefits though like housing and a lifetime pension. You forgot to mention graft. They do have a great pension program. Although free housing was supposed to be eliminated, they do get a thousand or two as a housing allowance (included in salary figures, above). The real benefit comes when they are sold properties at far below market value. A rather large group of individuals at one particular state-owned bank has been offered 70 m2 units inside the 3rd Ring at 2,500 RMB per m2. This is not uncommon. Bill, what is exactly the legally earned amount? Every year the government officcials, from fire to sanitation to neighborhood committee groups, to ¡£¡£¡£come over for a gift, typically a transit card or something. The amount is not big, say a few hundered RMB or for guys in charge a few thousands. How many businesses operate in that particular district? We had an operation and did not provide the gift cards in one particular district (police). We got a letter to shut down. I have a friend who invested 300,000 Rmb for a postion in government (he was switched from a chu zhang in light industrial to safty inspection) and recovered his investment within four month. I got into a fight with him when he threatened to shut down the junior high that I went to for safty reasons (failer to pay). Why do you think Chinese mines have some many accidents? He told me that if he try to enforce the safty regulations, he would lose his job. The mine owner pay directly to Beijing! Give me an example of any government employee that do not receive gift cards or some other benefits. Look at the number of people who apply for the exam to become public servants and one would understand why. Foreign funds like us are hard to compete. How much do bank employees really earn? Not that much, if you check the published stats. A typical loan, in harder time, require a payment of brokerage fee ranging from 0.8 to as high as 3% points. The broker, of course is not a bank employee but has good relationship with the one approving or disapproving the loan. The commission is shared with the bank employee£¬ who in turn, to avoid being thrown into jail, shares with the remainder of the bank employees, his boss and others in the office. It is an open secret. The only reason the head of the insurance guy who just been sentenced to 17 years got caught is because he did not learn a good lesson in sharing. Even with that, he was charged with mis-use of funds and taking a bribe of 2 mm RMB. The 9 mm RMB commission he received was not treated as a bribe. All these were in the Government newspaper. If you do DD in M&A on targets, you will understand how much off balance sheet payments are made by local companies. I understood Bill's point to be what you just made for him. Their offical salary is ~5-7K/month. The rest is from corruption.

Oh, I see - sorry, I thought that by "Money talks" you meant bribes. But even the "who you know" part of it I would take issue with - it seems to be a matter of WHAT THEY know, rather than who your friends are. We've been treated fairly, and have gotten a lot done, even when faced with a front line of people who DIDN'T know. The PSB and Customs officials have been VERY helpful. The COLLECTIVE knowledge of these people is what we needed and got. Yes, a foreigner can buy property. I was told a) told no I couldn't get a loan (if fact, neither could she, since she had an American green card), and B ) that I needed a residence permit (which I now have). This can vary in different areas. But, yes, what I'm saying for any foreigner is to talk to the local PSB to find out what you will need to do and what you will be allowed to do. My wife will stay a PRC citizen. This is her decision. Maybe after getting to America she will change her mind. Her thoughts now are that it is better if have citizen rights to each country as a married couple. I also think she does not want to give up her heritage and that she thinks in the future China will be more and more of a global player. I tend to agree with her on that. When I do retire and if we came back to China we would probably do it as USC/PRC citizen. If it looks like a revolution in China (or USA) we would probably get the hell out of dodge and retire in New Zealand. I agree, from my experience, 100% with Randy's comment. Once you find the people/office that you need you can get almost all matters resolved to your satisfaction in a fair way.

This is a major issue that often gets glossed over by those planning on living in China the "easy way", having your wife remain a PRCC. What if the totally unexpected happens??? We plan on starting to live in China in 3 1/2 years when I retire. Before that my wife will become a USC. We already own multiple homes in China that we can rent or sell as needs arise but let me tell you that rents in most of China are so low that it is not profitable to rent. Most are doing it waiting for the appreciation on their house to kick in. Having to travel out of China to renew our visas is not a problem since we plan on traveling in southeast asia anyway and may apply for retirement visas in Thailand or Malaysia... You mean like if the USA, as part of our new shift in anger China policy, implements a full ban (in contrast to the burdensome laws/BS that exists now creating a type of partial ban) on allowing PRC citizens to live in the USA with their spouse ...

First bold - Maybe true to some extent but in 1989 China was already opening up/moving to economic reform and had distanced itself from Russia in many ways. Second bold - I would agree with this. They will continue to move toward a "Chinese version" of a govt. that suits them and it caused by people's desires, protests, and movements. It will probably have more freedom and openess then today and some similarities to a western democractic govt.

I can only assume that Jesse did not bother to read the article or check out the credentials of the quoted expert... Been out in the sun too long I suspect... Read the article. Saw this: The latest edition of the newspaper Southern Weekend broke a two-decade taboo by publishing a photo of a youthful Mr Hu with his early mentor, former party chief Hu Yaobang, who was purged in 1987 for his liberal and reformist leanings. But Chinese internet search results for the names of both leaders were yesterday blocked for ''non-compliance with relevant laws''. Then searched for both of these leaders on the internet and founds tons of available information about each one and about their relationship/background. Did all this from my apartment in China using a China ISP.

Bad advise, SSN is NOT work authorization, this is given by USCIS via EAD or Green-card. A K-1 is technically "work authorized" for the 90 days after entry to the USA, primarily to get the SSN, some states require SSN before issuing a Marriage License. You may want to tale a close look at form I-9 it specifies that the work auth document be a photo document (EAD or Green-Card) when presented with a restricted-SSN card. The SSN card will be marked "Valid with DHS authorization only" which indicates to employers to require EAD or Green-card. I-9 http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf A K-1 is NOT a work visa, it is a fiancee visa for entry to the USA and marriage. Every visa type has it's pros and cons, in this case a K-3 would have been better because a K-3 can get a two year EAD before filing AOS, take a job and add income to self sponsor, the K-3 can then provide an I-864A. Thanks for the catch. I never realized that one could get a SSN that does not allow you to work.... But I thought that a K1 visa got a I-94 endorsed with an employment authorization stamp. I always thought this was one of the advantages over the K3 visa in that you could get work authorization and SSN right away. Just more proof of the confusion we call an immigration system.

Mmmm kind of sounds like I am screwed here then. This is why I wanted to wait till I go back to work, 'cuz when I file, it will look like I was never laid off. BUT she wants it as soon as she can so she can get out of the house and feel useful by even having a part time job. The problem is that I don't have anyone that would sponsor us. I don't have any friends that are close enough for something like that, my father passed away 4 years ago and my mother didn't like the idea of me getting married to an "non-american". I mean, she likes her, but still holds her doubts. But we have found a way to get the money to file for the AOS fee. She is selling her camera and all her equipment. Being a professional photographer she has some very nice lenses. It will be more then enough to cover the cost. I hate to be brutal here but based on this it seems you have problems on several fronts that are much bigger than paying the AOS fee. I know that there are a lot of problems, but sometimes it is better then being alone. Sometimes I feel that I am that battered woman you see on Cops, married to a drunk abusive husband that doesn't want to file any charges 'cuz she claims "i still love him'. She even told me that the money she is getting from selling the camera is enough to get a ticket back to china. But you know I still feel in my heart that we can work on this. I find it hard to believe that a man will wait in china for 10 years for a plan work out like that. There is a lot I look at what she did, said and how she acted when I was working. Yes, her whole attitude has changed since I was laid off but she won't admit it. Well I dont know all your story or why your AOS/EAD were rejected. However I can understand that your wife would feel very concerned about hers (and yours) future and it would show up in her dealings with you. Put yourself in her shoes. What are you referring to in a man in china waiting 10 years? BTW - I edited from original reply to you because I realized it was "harsh".

Mmmm kind of sounds like I am screwed here then. This is why I wanted to wait till I go back to work, 'cuz when I file, it will look like I was never laid off. BUT she wants it as soon as she can so she can get out of the house and feel useful by even having a part time job. The problem is that I don't have anyone that would sponsor us. I don't have any friends that are close enough for something like that, my father passed away 4 years ago and my mother didn't like the idea of me getting married to an "non-american". I mean, she likes her, but still holds her doubts. But we have found a way to get the money to file for the AOS fee. She is selling her camera and all her equipment. Being a professional photographer she has some very nice lenses. It will be more then enough to cover the cost. Look at David's advice. You need to have a joint sponser or find some work, even if just temporary, that allows you to get your wife the GC. Otherwise you will be screwed as you said. She can go ahead and work now as soon as get gets a SSN.