Job Discussion Forums

[Happy Everyday]

@ steve b -- In other words, your saying that providing a link that does not clarify nor prove but is related to the topic is somehow better than not linking. And your saying by talking about personal experiences without linking, it is false information?

Look, I found that article interesting and informative. I learned something. Yet most people on this site do not always provide links and provide information based on personal experience and what they know. I'm not interested in wining arguments here. I'm more interested in people's experiences and information.

If one were to ask about what it's like to live on campus. One can read these forums and see that some people have no problems whereas other get the full brunt of the "rules." For one to deny that the rules can be restrictive in China seems more out of a desire to post negative comments towards people here as opposed to simply recognizing that living on campus, for some, is no cup of tea.

"when challenged" isn't exactly friendly nor good ettiquette for a discussion. I believe one can ask and get information here. I don't try to pretend to know everything. I can only share my experiences, the same as anyone else. If you were to find something that provides concrete information on the exact issues about living on campus, please link it. I have already stated that I would like to see it. I regard this as a discussion, a place to share information and experiences. I do not approach Dave's with a mindset to debate, control, or "challenge" people.

Even though sex in a hotel isn't legal, a lot of people do it without hassle. Take your chances. I don't feel obligated to link. I've never seen a link to a site that says it is illegal. Maybe it is bandying heresay to say that foreigners must carry their passport at all times. Or that it is a crime to have unwed sex in a hotel.

[Happy Everyday]

@ steve b -- It would be interesting to know what SAFEA has to officially say on the matter. Perhaps you will contact them and provide a link to their answer?

[steve b]

Happy, read my posts properly please and you will see what I said about the requirement for carrying passports.

Why should I do the legwork and contact SAFEA for you? You are the one making statements regarding the law yet are singularly unable to back them up. I am not.

[choudoufu]

happy,

unless i'm misteakden, the other poster wants the links when
someone claims the law says X is or is not legal. not when
relating personal experience.

not that a link to the specific law really matters, other than for
the purpose of debating. we all know that how the law is
written, and how it is enforced (depending on province, locality,
personal relationships, current national events, and phase of
the moon)........

[Happy Everyday]

@choudoufu -- you're right as usual. You're awesome.

When discussions become flames or meanspirited, then I'm out. There are plenty of people providing suggestions, their experiences, and so called knowledge of the law without linking anything. A select few of them are also trolls who have had their accounts deleted, only to re-emerge and try to continue targeting people. The MODS do a pretty good job in the site.

I'll phrase my answers more carefully in the future. However, I do note that more than one person has talked about what you can expect in China without anyone demanding links. There's no harm in asking when one wants clarification. I'm not singularly mentioning the laws of China on Dave's. That would be untrue. I don't aggressively go after people on Dave's either. I don't think confronting or intimidating people here is any good.

@steve b--- if you feel offended in any way, then my apologies. I'm only here to share, learn, and discuss. I learned something new from that article you posted. Thanks.

[steve b]

Happy I am not in the slightest offended, I too am here to learn on and debate topics that either affect or interest me.

As for my only asking here for links to prove statements, I am a newcomer to the site and thus far have contributed to only three topics, two of which I have requested links, the third was merely to relate first-hand experience of a hospital stay in relation to a school's own insurance.

If one states categorically that something is enshrined in legislature then this should indeed be reinforced with evidence. If not then surely the person concerned should qualify the remarks with "I understand/was told/believe" etc?

[steve b]

Apologies, I forgot to include an instance. For months here I was told that the law was that my school retained my FEC and reading discussion forums merely revealed conflicting views and no proof positive either way.

I am now in a position to state unequivocally - and with SAFEA correspondence to bolster my statement - that the only time a school should be in possession of an FEC is when they need to take it for renewal.

As for conditions on campus, I am intelligent enough to know that everyone's experience differs. All I have ever said is that my experience is absolutely fine and I would much rather live on-site than elsewhere plus I have encountered no restrictions. In fact, with an adopted wild puppy and two kittens I would be hard-pressed to be able to rent accommodation which would allow them elsewhere.

[rattie]

Each university is different. I have lived both on and off campus in a coupleof cities. At present am on campus and it is lovely. Freshly refitted flat with bedroom, sitting/dining room and study,lounge room, glassed in balcony, kitchen with mains gas, no gas bottle in a cupboard that requires replacing, and a very well appointed bathroom. Gates staffed 24/7 but unlocked 24/7, visitors come and go freely, and I have a dog.

And no students arriving on the door step at all hours as they live on the main (new) campus and all the teachers live in the CBD (old) campus on the main street of town.

My last experience in off campus housing was more invasive and restrictive than my current situation.

Ask them about the housing regulations, it can be really fun and comfortable or awful as described elsewhere. Just use the post replies you have received so far to help you read between the lines in the school's reply.
Cheers.

[Lobster]

We must be clear about some things.

SAFEA does not make law or interpret it. It issues guidelines and may mediate.

The School enacts its rules, they are not laws. They consider their students to be little more than overgrown babies (which in a way they are) who are sensitive to any whiff of moral decay. You won't be arrested; you'll be fired.

Most people, including those in the FAO, have no clue about the law, they may state that their rules are "law" as a matter of ending a discussion.

The actual laws regarding unwed cohabitation were repealed many years ago, along with the requirement to get the work unit's leader to approve all marriages.

When you marry, you go to a Notary to swear a statement regarding pre-marriage assets that remain untouchable in case of divorce. Without a marriage book (unwed cohabitation), any claim to a settlement or palimony will likely fail.

Being caught in a KTV, massage parlor or similar den of iniquity if it's raided can cause you some serious headaches. Steer clear of places that are obvious fronts for drugs and prostitution.

Don't take pictures of police officers, soldiers, military equipment or installations or sensitive facilities (e.g. power stations) without permission.

The final note, repeated ad infinitum on this forum, is that when you live on campus you abide by their rules. Most old hands would agree that if you're young and active and like to party, you get your own place off campus and conduct your affairs discretely and in private.

RED

[dakelei]

I'll try to keep this short.

I'm presently typing this while sitting in my on-campus apartment at my uni. My girlfriend, who has lived with me since the beginning of the school year, is sitting behind me watching a movie on her computer. She is much younger than me and looks it. She could easily be mistaken for a student but I assure you she is not. She has never once been explicitly asked, "Who are you?" but everyone here knows. She has a job she commutes to via motorbike so every time she comes or goes the security guys see her. She has never been asked to sign anything, nor have I. My GF is a semi-local person so we keep things sort of low key for social reasons more than legal. I've had absolutely no problems at all with her being here. Before we moved in here we rented a place in town for a few months and were never asked any questions at all about our status. And this city is a relatively conservative one. I've also visited a few other cities with my girlfriend and stayed with her in hotels. Aside from, "How are you paying?" no questions were asked. My point is a lot of what has been written here is either total nonsense or is outdated information. The Chinese police have much more to worry about than who is boning whom and the martial status of those doing the boning. As far as how closely an FT is monitored while living on campus I can only say, sure, the security guys give me a looking over when I come and go but mostly because there aren't many foreigners here. I have a relatively "normal" life here. I'm not a wild party guy type but there is another FT on my campus who is and he has been here two years and is coming back for a third. I guess what it boils down to is everything depends on where you are. I read horror stories about FT's being trapped and locked down in their on-campus apartments, yes. But it has never happened to me. I suspect many others would say the same. I like living on campus. It works for me. It might not work for someone else. That pretty much sums it up.

[chinanoodles]

[Lobster]

The notarized statement is not a requirement in any way. If you don't have any significant assets to protect (bank account or house), you may forego this. However, it's good to know about this. Once you have your red books, it's too late.

It's certainly good to advise your landlord of all residents of your place. As well, the police may come by to verify who's living there. If there's an occupant who's not PSB registered, there will be a problem. Happily, I don't have to deal with landlords any more.

RED

[choudoufu]

since we're now arguing about 'the law,' let's all remember
many laws are province-specific. is there even a nationwide
cohabitation law? or cohabitation definition? laws change,
they become obsolete, they can be ignored.

i remember back in college in virginia, it was still illegal
for two unmarried folks of the opposite sex to cohabitate.
the gay folks didn't get a free pass, as there were laws
against soliloquy. anyways, what exactly was cohabitation?
according to the law, the test thereof was do the two
individuals store their clothing in the same dresser.

this particular law was not enforced, but it was still on the
books. kinda hard for a politician to try to have it removed,
as that would be supporting unwholesomeness. i suspect
any chinese cohabitation laws would be similarly unenforced,
except in those special cases when a particularly loathsome
FT needed deportation.

[chinanoodles]