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[dongbei united]

I recently worked at a school in Tangshan, Hebei. For the most part, it was good. I was paid on time, full salary, good housing, decent classes, and scheduling wasn't a conflict. I worked a full school year, no problems. Vacation was an issue in the sense they didn't recognize it, but I am not looking to return to my home county until next year. So, I didn't mind having to give them my passport in January to extend a shortened contract period the PSB in Shijiazhuang imposed. I bring this all up because Hebei is the area surrounding Beijing. If you want to move out of Beijing territory but still be near, Shijiazhuang is the next city you need to remember.

The problems started when I asked for release documents a few weeks ago. They gave 2 requested documents, but they stamped them with English on it. The PSB in Beijing didn't accept this (if not the PSB, then it is the place employers go to get the new FEC). In addition, they wanted something to prove I applied to live in Tangshan for my residence permit. After I gave my old school in Tangshan student grades and we went over them to verify I completed necessary work, they gave me these 2 documents and proof I lived in Tangshan with a Chinese stamp. However, I still needed something to officially release me from the school, which could only be obtained by going to the PSB in Shijiazhuang.

The director wanted my new school to pay for a flight because the trains were already booked. In addition, she wanted a hotel room. My new school didn't want to pay that amount, so there was a dispute between the schools. That's how that day started for me. At lunchtime, I found out the costs and offered to pay the difference. The old school then decided to move goal posts. Something urgent came up during lunch and the director couldn't go to Shijiazhuang to get this final document. Also, it was mentioned only her and another person could get this document. The new school tried to contact the director and an office worker to resolve the matter. Eventually, it was stated that the old school could write up some authorized letter to allow someone else (me) to pick this document up. Great, however, the old school wanted someone from the new school to come to Tangshan and apologize for their behavior and take responsibility for me if there were problems incurred with me getting this final document.

At that point, I was ready to leave China and just get a new Z visa. My current school told me to go to Shijiazhuang anyway and try to get this final document myself. I did just that. I got the first train ticket I could to Shijiazhuang. I forgot one thing, the FEC. You need the FEC!!! Luckily, an office worker at the old school brought the FEC to the train station about 10 minutes before departure. I stood for 4-5 hours on a packed train (literally couldn't move, a 75 year old Chinese guy was passed out under the train seats).

I slept on the streets from 3am until 8am when the PSB in Shijiazhuang was scheduled to open. After asking them which building to go to, I found out I went to the old location, and that I had to go to another PSB in Shijiazhuang. When I arrived there, the old school contacted me stating even if I had a letter of authority allowing me to pick up the final document the PSB in Shijiazhuang wouldn't accept it. I was standing right outside the building at that time, and the new school and I decided to just try it. When I talked with them, they supposedly called the old school to verify I finished working and in McDonald's time I was given the final document with some numbers and 2 lines of Chinese I couldn't read.

I took a taxi back to the train station and the taxi driver read these two lines to my new school over the phone. Apparently, this was it, this is what all the commotion was about. Why can't it just be mailed?

I have arrived at my new school and the final stage is showing a new residence and a new work permit/application. My last day on my residence permit was yesterday, so the computers showed I had left. I had to wait 5 hours at the new PSB to get the system updated, and with a new FEC I can stay in China for another year.

This is all true and I simply have documented it to inform others what to go through. I was near the end of a contract period, so time was a major issue this time. A teacher might quit/finish a school 6-8 months into a 10-12 month contract and have extra time to transfer. Why this is easier is beyond me, but when you fulfill your full contract period and only have little time on your current residence permit, hell breaks loose. Be ready.

[The Voice Of Reason]