tonyontherock

There is no limit on taking money out of the U.S. , you just have to file a form and declare it with the U.S. government. Even if you are bringing in cash, open an account at the bank of china and convert it. Then you can use it at ATM machines. I normally convert with my bank in Hong Kong and there is no charge. Pick pocket is a major problem. One way to ensure safty is to have a sewn in pocket ( or several ) on the inside of your clothing.

Thanks again. This is great. My in-laws are the petitioners and trying to get my sis-inlaw over. They are visiting in China now. Sis-in-law did not want to immigrate with them but went to Europe instead for college and then returned to China on her own. Now she wants to go to the States and hence, the petition and immigration process.

Thanks for all the reponses. I guess I will get a new one. Her parents who did the I-864 are all now in China and I have copies of their tax returns etc. Only question is, does any one know if they have a notary public in GZ U.S. consulate? I know the citizen services place gives single certificate etc. Can they notarize stuff? Thanks.

Friend got notice to bring an notarized original of I-864 financial support document. But the original was submitted to Vermont long ago last summer. Does the petitioner need to get a new one to bring to Guangzhou?

It is the timing. I tried to get my son over to HK direct from NYC area. No seat. But able to get him to fly into Beijing. Do try a flight from west coast into HK or in the alternative into Guangzhou. My in-laws got in with a round trip from San Francisco and three nights hotel for 800 something.

Yes. That is the time when they can help find out some information. I checked my sister in-laws case on the internet and it still said " notice returned 2002" Then they were able to look it up in the computer and told me that the interview date has been set for July 19 and the date when the notice was sent out. Her parents are the petitioners, but marriage based petition should be the same.

Well, I once had my named spelled wrong. Correctly spelled it should mean iron tiger, but Amrican Lawyer in the big deal section in one issue spelled it wrong and if translated back into Chinese it sounds like, instead, as "iron slave". Even though it was a more fitting description of my relationshipwith the firm, I pointed that anyway out and they did promise to make a correction. I never saw the correction.

My last gf (25) has a "friend" that she hangs out with and always consoles her when I break her heart (I was told), till one night, he was found in her bed cause she thought some how I broke up with her. Having a friend on the side is always confusing.

Just could not help it. I just finished a memo on how to get $50mm out, legally. Hehe. But the transaction cost is high.

It is called foreign Exchage control. In China there are three ways to get it legally out. 1). current account. For import and export. 2). capital account for investment, but subject to central government approval. 3). personal account, with valid visa, only a small amount. Solution: Carrying the cash to HK is one way. It is illegal though. PM me and I can answer your question.

I tried it once when I was a teen. The needel got twisted inside and they had some trouble pulling it out. One doc. suggested that they may have to cut it open to get it out. Anyway, it was only in my hand.

How about the swastika. It is every where in old Chinese paintings or on buildings, which means never ending good fortune or something.

U.S. citizen hour, is that the Friday at 3 PM thing? I am planning on going this Friday, as the attorney for my sister in-law's application. Trying to understand where her case stands. Can you actually get any information from them? Thanks.

Well, my wife and her parents went to GZ in hope of finding out where my sister-in-law's case stand (adult daughter of U.S. citizen). They were told, no news for them, have to make an appointment or get their lawyer to come. Any one had experience with that generally, in case of physically going ove to find out? I believe I filed a notice to serve on the case as the attorney. Trying to find out how an attorney can find out and push the case along. Thanks in advance.

My wife refused to let me buy a porche or even a BMW convertbile. Neither are that expensive here in Hong Kong if you buy used ones. The mileages are very low, cause you can't really drive much. But the parking cost is too high. One guy buys used ones and ship over to Australia to make money. BMW convertible, last one I looked at, 1998, 40k Km, asking 90K Hong Kong. It was a beautiful little two seater. A yellow porche I saw was also such a heart breaker, it was at a car show in Shanghai. Could not afford it. But would definitely buy one a used one if I could get parking space, should I move to live in a less crowded place. Second hand boats, I heard are also pretty good deals here in Hong Kong. Once considered buying one with a partner of mine back in the states to use as our office.

Here is how I look at the market trends. In the short term, say about 2 -3 years or so the market will go down. It already started to show signs in some locations. In the longer term, it will be up. Simply because there is not sufficient supply compared to the population and the short term tightening of credit reduces supply a bit further. The currency will adjust about 5 to 10% in about one year. That is what I believe the market, at least the private equity funds are betting. They could be completely wrong, and if they are right, the timing may be a bit later. E.g. Morgan and others went into the Japan market three to four years ago, the market just improved after 13 years of no action.

Real estate lending by banks is always a problem. It is casued by the government. ABS (asset backed securities) is the solution. China can easily get some bonds sold backed by mortgages. There are so few investment products on the market now.

It really depends on the person. My ex wasn't forgiving at all. I am glad my wife is and that convinced me that she really loves me. She scolds me all the time and for everything like trying to skip showers, not wearing slippers, eating too fast, leaving stuff all over the place, etc. but she really cares and brings dinner to the office if I ended up working too late, etc.

Dan, the building just started construction and will top off by the end of the year. The rent is budgeted at $27 U.S per square meter, but near by building across the street (which is a much lower grade one) already shot beyong that. I anticipate it would be in the range of 35 to 40 U.S. per square meter/month. Unfortunately, that building is being leased out by the floor. If you are really interested in setting up shop in Beijing, PM me and I will see if there is anything in the developer other buildings. There is a restaurant section in the area being built with budgeted rent of US.35 to 40 /square meter. There are three super five star hotels, banks and international financial institutions in the 4 block area. It would be a gold mine. After several months of ponding on the table, arguing and well, bitching about each and every clause, I have become friends with the developer's sales and management. Unfortunately I can't do anything because of conflict of interest. Initially I was going to try get a lease once the deal is over and actually sent my finace over to start talks. But as soon as the first deal is over, the client is doing two more deals with them and the developer also is considering hiring us to set up financing structure for their projects outside of Beijing. A ton of conflict. The agony of being a transactional lawyer is to see opportunities and other people making a ton of money.

Just closed my first deal (one I took the lead) in China (over 100 million U.S.) in Beijing. I can point to the best office building in BJ and say, in a year when it is up, ya, I did that deal. It feels great! It does not look like the Westin on 42nd and 8th street at all ( the 2002 uglist building in the U.S., I was a member of the team).

Chinese wowen are darn expensive. Every one expect a guy to pay for dinner and stuff. In return, of course, most understand the price they may have to pay... No phone calls afterwards!

Having lived in this part of the world for 6 months, I do believe it is better living here than the states. I do work here. The pay is lower than say in New York city, but still pretty good compared with the cost of living. Air quality is bad and it is indeed crowded. What I hate the most is the import duty on cars. Otherwise I could buy a nice little yellow car Hong Kong and drive over. Food is cheap, so are most other services. If you turn a blind eye to what the government and officials are doing to the people, it is actually nice place to live. The people are very friendly and strangers can become close friends in a matter of hours. Every one lives like there is only today. What is not to like. If I get sick, I fly back to Hong Kong and see doctor Schwartz.

Well, how about age difference? I was walking around with some 24 year old who look like 19 or 20. I look like usual 40 year olds. I did not notice anything but the girl commented that she saw a lot of people look at her with that kind of look. I thought it must be the fact that everyone was in their winter wear and I was in my summer wear and carrying my roller blades and she was wearing combat fatigue outfit. Well, it made her uncomfortable and she said if in her home town with lots of people she knows, she would feel a lot of pressure. Any one got the same experience? It made me feel instantly old when I heard that comment.

know what, I am about to sneak into China this afternoon after my conference call. I will steal another one of them sticks and measure the three rings I have on hand and let you know for sure. They are bought in the U.S., a size 5, 6, and 7.

I don't think there is any difference, but I may be wrong. I stole one of those ring size measuring metal stick thingy in China for a toy and measured a ring from the U.S., it is the same size. But a 9 would be quite unsual for a Chinese lady, you better find out more information.