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doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

I would have a bigger problem with the first part of the clause, but different strokes and all that.

As to the second part, I think they're just informing you about something you need to know. The law here is that any foreigner arriving in China has to register their address at the nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival. If you change address for any reason you have to re-register. That's why you have to provide hotels with your passport details for instance, so they can register you with the local police. Your university will register your arrival as well. Similarly, if any foreign person stays the night with you, they are legally obliged to register with the local police since technically they have changed address for the night. They haven't really worded it very well, since it looks like anybody, including a Chinese national, would have to register. I don't believe that's the case, but any foreigner would. Of course, this being China, most of us either ignore things like that or just don't know about it.

I would either check the wording and intention behind it with the uni, or just ignore it.

adventious · Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Posts: 237 Location: In the wide

I live on a campus in residential housing (apartment complex in which teachers, retired teachers, and their relatives reside) and the language in my contract relating to professional behavior is focused on the delivery of lessons and "respecting the Chinese people's moral standards and customs". Nothing in it describes reporting to anyone, or addresses what I could interpret as limiting to my privacy.

So, my experience is more like the bear's than others in this thread. There is more drama on this website than in my life in China. And many who spin tales of China's particulars and idiosyncracies tell us more about themselves than China.

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

HZ88 wrote

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

doogsville wrote

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

Jim Pellow is correct. That's not really the morality clause. The morality clause is pretty vague, though. Most require the FT to "abide by and uphold local moral standards" (which doesn't say much). If I can find my contract, I'll quote it directly. Such wording has appeared in every contract I've signed and in almost every response to any inquiry. Some may not have seen it in every sample contract. They lay it on you when you arrive.

It's a lot like how in some school-provided apartments there'll be a sign in a room that stipulates that company must depart no later than a given time, though that's never stated in the contract.

I have always been asked for my passport whenever I stay in a hotel, and a copy of it has always been made by the counter clerk, so I assume that someone has an interest in knowing where I have been. Even Chinese citizens must show identification, despite the fact that they (like foreigners) must pay upfront. I do wonder, though, if the hotels are required to report our stays, or if the hotels are just required to keep a record.

I have found that the older the FAO, the more liberal she is regarding the FT's freedom. I always inform my FAO whenever I have company over for the day. I do that as protection from prying eyes and flapping lips. (Unfortunately, it doesn't always work).

Again, I wouldn't even make mention of that paragraph. That'll only draw attention to you.

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

adventious wrote

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou wrote

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

jimpellow wrote
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hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

I do understand your annoyance at what at the end of the day is an invasion of privacy but there is not much you can do about it.

We as foreigners are monitored, whether you are aware or not, we are. If you do make a big issue of it, you will simply draw unwanted attention to yourself before you even begin and thats probably not the best way to go about things.

I too am a very low key kind of guy and at first had exactly the same reservations and mild anger that you are intimating however if you just go along with it and don't take the piss as they say you will be left alone. Those in China a long time will say 'a little is more' the analogy being that if you tell your FAO or the powers at be something they will be happy and less curious than if you tell them nothing. Telling them nothing causes them to be suspicious and look at you more closely.

It is in the official rules about providing accommodation to foreigners and if pursued heavy fines can be imposed on persons who ignore it. In hotels it largely depends on where, often hotels will refuse foreigners not because they are full, simply because they don't want the trouble of registering them or they don't know how. I have been with Chinese friends at check in and in remote places they will simply use their ID card rather than my passport as it saves manual inputting of information. Most hotels can receive foreigners they just don't want to be bothered with the added hassles of it so simply say 'no foreigners' or 'sorry, we are full'. Take a look at the back of your arrival card when you come to China, this is mentioned.

Annoying as it is for you, I would dismiss it, getting worked up and making issues will make them draw adverse conclusions about you. Is it worth it?

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

asiannationmc wrote

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

hz88 · Joined: 27 Sep 2015 Posts: 162

It really is open to interpretation. If things are followed as the law stands, any guest Chinese or otherwise should be reported. It largely depends on where you are as to how rigidly it is enforced.

What is for certain is that your presence will be noticed and somewhere someone official will be notified and likewise if a new face is detected in or around your living quarters be they private or school provided. Unless there is some reason to investigate it, it is unlikely to be followed up.

You could ask for clarification about this clause but as I said, dig too deep and you might find quicksand below.

A new hire at my school this year had similar issues to you. There was nothing in the contract about it but when he arrived at school obviously saw the notices and was nonplussed about it. He was simply told thats the way it is, take it or leave it. The school argued that he did not ask the question at interview and he argued it is unfair. The saga went on for a few weeks even to the extent of him wanting to find private accommodation only to be met with a similar brick wall from landlords. He just travels to his girlfriends city now rather than the other way round. He said that previously nobody had batted an eyelid about anyone visiting and for how long, chances are they did bat an eyelid but he wasn't aware of it.

Really, it seems to depend on where you are and how it is enforced. Hinterlands, backwaters and smaller cities seem to be more prone to it than the big cities. I would just accept it and later if you are having a visit, Chinese, foreign, male or female test the waters and if you feel it is not being noticed then don't mention it. If someone does mention to you then clearly you are going to have to tow the line. Either keep your mole hill or make a mountain....