China is not so much a country as it is a different world. From metropolises to the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia—with deserts, sacred peaks, astounding caves, and imperial ruins—it is a land of cultural and geographic schisms.

Its towering mountains and epic landscapes have provided the background for falling and rising dynasties, emperors, and eventually the turning of the revolutionary wheel.

Each dynasty left a legacy—from the Xia (2200–1700 B.C.E.) to the Zhou period (1100–221 B.C.E.), from which Confucianism emerged.

The Qin dynasty (221–207 B.C.E.) standardized writing and saw the Great Wall completed.

During the Tang dynasty (C.E. 618–908), China retook control of the silk routes, and Buddhism flourished.

During the Song dynasty (960–1279), Marco Polo commented on the grand scale of China’s prosperous cities. Genghis’ grandson Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) at what is now Beijing.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in China (1516). Trade thrived, but in China’s favor, as British purchases of silk and tea far outweighed Chinese purchases of wool and spices. In 1773 the sale of opium began in earnest, and by 1840, the Opium Wars were on.

The resulting treaties signed in favor of the British led to the cession of Hong Kong and the signing of the Nanjing Treaty. Western powers carved China into spheres of influence, and the Chinese agreed to the U.S.-proposed free-trade Open Door Policy. China’s colonial possessions soon evaporated, with Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia falling to the French; Burma to the British; and Korea and Taiwan to Japan.

In the first half of the 20th century, chaos reigned. Sun Yatsen’s Kuomintang (the KMT, or Nationalist Party) established a base in southern China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was formed in 1921. Chiang Kaishek rose from the KMT in Beijing; he favored a capitalist state supported by a military dictatorship.

Mao Zedong established his forces in the mountains and by 1930 had marshaled a guerrilla army of 40,000. Chiang’s army routed the Communists, but in retreat they armed the peasants and redistributed land, and Mao was recognized as the CCP’s paramount leader.

On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, and Chiang Kaishek fled to Taiwan.

The Cultural Revolution (1966–70) attempted to increase Mao’s personal presence via his Little Red Book of quotations, the purging of opponents, and the launching of the Red Guard.

Beijing politics were divided between moderates Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping and radicals and Maoists led by Mao’s wife, Jiang Qing. The radicals gained the upper hand when Zhou died in 1976. Public anger at Jiang Qing and her clique culminated in demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.

With Deng at the helm, and the signing of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, China set a course toward economic reconstruction, though political reform was almost nil. General dissatisfaction with the Party, soaring inflation, and increased demands for democracy have led to widespread social unrest.

Now that the British and Portuguese have finally handed back the keys to Hong Kong and Macau, respectively, China’s “one country, two systems” plan shifts up a gear.

It is not that China has completely done away with its Maoist past—it is more that revolutionary zeal is being balanced by economic pragmatism, and the old-guard Communists are giving way to the new-wave “dot-commers.”

The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:02 AM

Occupying an area of about 3.7 million square miles, the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) is the third-largest country in the world, after Canada and Russia. It shares borders with North Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Laos, and Vietnam. Hong Kong and Macau (Aomen), situated on China’s southern coast, are now Special Administrative Regions of the P.R.C.

Two-thirds of China’s area is mountainous or semidesert; only about one-tenth is cultivated. Ninety percent of its people live on one-sixth of the land, primarily in the fertile plains and deltas of the east. The country lies almost entirely in the temperate zone. Only Hainan Province and the southernmost portions of Yunnan and Guangdong Provinces and the Zhuang Autonomous Region of Guangi lie within the tropics. A monsoon climate is a major influence in the south, but the north and west have a typical continental climate, although winters are extremely dry and summers quite rainy.

During summer, warm, moist, maritime air masses bring heavy rains to eastern China, and hot, humid, summer weather is typical. Winter offers a sharp contrast, when cold, dry Siberian air masses dominate and often reach the southern provinces. Little precipitation falls during the colder months; clear days with low humidity and low temperatures are the norm. Fog and air pollution often reduce visibility in the cities, especially during the winter although conversion to gas in some urban areas, including Beijing, has led to some improvement.

Selected climatic data for representative cities occupying roughly comparable locations in China and the U.S. are shown on the chart below.

Mean Mean Annual Temperature Temperature Precipitation Location January (F) July (F) (Inches) Beijing 23 80 24 Philadelphia 32 76 44 Chengdu 42 81 38 Dallas 46 84 32 Guangzhou 56 84 64 Miami 68 82 66 Shanghai 47 91 39 New Orleans 53 82 57 Shenyang 16 75 30

Population Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:03 AM

Over 1.2 billion people live in China, which has one-fifth of the world’s population. Population densities vary strikingly. Henan, China’s most populous province, at 90 million people, has one-third the population of the U.S. The Tibetan Autonomous Region in China’s southwest is many times the size of Henan but has a population of just 3 million people. The high mountains, plateaus, and arid basins of the Tibetan Highlands and the Xinjiang-Mongolia region comprise slightly more than half of China’s area but contain only about 5% of the total population. Population densities are high on the oases of Xinjiang, as well as on the densely populated farmland of eastern China.

The Han comprise about 94% of the population; the remaining 6%—about 50 groups—are termed “minority nationalities” by Beijing. Although non-Han peoples are relatively few in number, they are strategically located. Most inhabit strategic frontier territory. Some groups in the southwest—Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia—have religious or ethnic ties with groups in adjoining nations. However, the preponderance of non-Han groups in many parts of western China is lessening, because Han Chinese have entered these regions in increasing numbers since 1950. In the vast Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (population 17 million) in China’s far west, the size of the Uighur and Han populations is now about equal.

Although unified by tradition, written language, and many cultural traits, Han Chinese speak a score of mutually unintelligible variants of the Chinese family of languages. Even in the areas where the ethnic Han predominate there are wide European-like cultural and linguistic differences. Most Han Chinese use the northern dialect, commonly called Mandarin, or another one of its variants; a national vernacular based on the North China variant of this dialect, the common language (putonghua), is in general use.

The Chinese young people who have grown up during the past 20 years—the most peaceful and prosperous two decades in modern Chinese history—have a far different outlook than their elders. The pace of cultural and economic changes is far faster than in the U.S. Western pop music, the Internet, and Western sports stars like Michael Jordan are very popular among Chinese young people. Chinese cuisine, among the most varied in the world, has very wide regional variations. There are many Western-style restaurants in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, mostly in the major hotels. Fast food purveyors, such as Mac Donald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, are well established in China. A chain of Chairman Mao Family Restaurants serves Chinese nostalgia for the simple peasant fare of the Cultural Revolution.

Public Institutions Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:06 AM

The 60 million member Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dominates the nation’s political life, and many sectors of society. Party policy is implemented through the party structure that is present in all-important government, economic, and cultural institutions. Most government employees are party members, and the percentage of party membership runs very high at the senior ranks of the government. Party control is most effective in government institutions and in urban settings; it is considerably looser in the rural and national minority areas, where 70% of the Chinese people live and work.

The top party position is that of the General Secretary, who is a member of the Politburo. A seven-person Standing Committee heads the Politburo itself. The General Secretary also heads the Secretariat, which is responsible to the Politburo and helps handle the day-to-day work of the party center and its relations with regional and local party committees. The Politburo, aided by the Secretariat, oversees the work of various party departments, such as the Organization, International Liaison, Propaganda, and United Front Work Departments.

Politburo members are chosen by the Party Central Committee, which is selected every 5 years at a Party Congress. The Central Committee meets at least once a year in formal plenary session and holds informal work conferences on important topics as needed. In addition to the Central Committee, the Party Congress also selects members of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission. Provincial and local party structures are patterned on the central model. The party’s Central Military Commission, consisting of about seven members, oversees the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The direct subordination of the PLA to the party underlines the special status and political importance of the PLA. The Party also uses such mass organizations as the Young Communist League, the Women’s Federation, and the labor unions as conduits for policy directives.

The National People’s Congress (N.P.C.) is formally the government’s highest organ of power. A new NPC is selected every 5 years and meets in plenary session for about 2 weeks each year to review and adopt major new policy initiatives, laws, the budget, and major personnel changes. The State Council, an executive body corresponding to a cabinet, is the key element in the government structure and is charged with policy implementation. Members of the State Council include the premier, vice premiers, state councilors, ministers, and heads of the various commissions and special agencies. Other important government bodies are the judicial system and the procuratorate, both of which are subordinate to the N.P.C.

The Chinese constitution promulgated in 1982 guaranteed freedom of speech, press, and assembly, but these rights are restricted in practice. For example, citizens are not allowed to criticize the “four cardinal principles” (the Socialist system, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the leadership of the party, and Marxism-Leninism Mao Zedong thought). Nonetheless, in recent years there has been a steady expansion in official tolerance of political discourse. Chinese citizens increasingly have access to information from a variety of sources. Foreign books and periodicals are available in libraries, and Chinese translations of American and other foreign books are easily available in bookstores. Use of the Internet is growing at exponential rates. Despite these positive trends, the Government will not tolerate challenges to the party’s authority or efforts to organize opposition parties.

Arts, Science, and Education Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:36 AM

During the past 5 years, the Chinese Government’s modernization drive and its policy of kaifang (opening to the outside world) have continued at an ever-accelerating rate. These changes are bringing with them a degree of cultural ferment, which the conservative members of the old guard and bureaucrats—those wary of the onset of modernity, who cling to the past—are trying their best to slow. Though many of these old-guard bureaucrats still occupy key positions of power, their influence is being eroded not only by changes in the bureaucracy itself, but also by greater access to information made possible by advances in computerized telecommunications technology. Thus, there is a continuing tension between the new and the old, between the urge to rejoin the international community and the wish to protect China from its dangerous influences.

The impetus to modernize China culturally and economically stems, in part, from the desire to see China regain the position of influence it once held in Asia. The civilization and culture that developed in the Yellow River Valley of North China in the second millennium B.C.E. eventually came to dominate virtually all of East Asia, including Japan and Korea. Since 1949, however, many aspects of traditional Chinese culture have disappeared from the land of their origin or have been severely altered by the socialist transformation of China.

Prior to the violent suppression of the Democracy Movement in June 1989, China’s international cultural exchanges had been flourishing. The P.R.C. has signed formal cultural agreements with many nations, including the U.S. Private sector exchanges, such as those carried out by People to People, Sister City and Sister State programs, and U.S. universities, are too numerous to count. Hundreds of performing and visual artists, scholars of politics, economics, law, and literature, and interested citizens representing a full spectrum of professions came to China from the U.S. every month. Thousands of Chinese, too, traveled to the U.S. under Government and private auspices to enhance their expertise and make contacts in the international cultural community. Since the Tiananmen incident, Western cultural influence has been viewed skeptically by Chinese officials, and they have been very selective in their support for international exchange.

The cultural life of China takes place under the watchful eye of a variety of organizations, including the Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, the Ministry of Culture, the All-China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the local offices of these national organizations. During the past 10 years, China has restored many cultural institutions damaged by the Cultural Revolution and rehabilitated many artists and writers. However, the Government’s once-substantial support for the arts has been sharply reduced because of budget constraints and a policy of decentralization. Many cultural organizations, art schools, and performing arts groups have been told to become self-supporting. The full effect of the new policies is not yet apparent, as cultural institutions must now grapple with financial and artistic problems they have not faced since before 1949.

Under the policy of Kaifang, international cultural exchanges are flourishing. Many countries, including the U.S., have signed formal cultural agreements with China, but it is the private sector that has shown the most rapid growth. Privately arranged cultural exchange activities are now too numerous to count. Through them, numerous foreign performers and teachers of art, music, dance, and drama visit China; art exhibits are exchanged; and many Chinese artists go abroad. This has had a profound impact on Chinese arts, but this Western influence is not without controversy. The interest of Chinese artists in Western literature and art is upsetting to those with traditional ideas. Some avant garde or politically sensitive works continue to be banned and their authors silenced.

The Chinese cultural scene also includes a large number of art and history museums throughout the country. The museums include many important and exceptionally beautiful pieces. Particularly noteworthy are the museums in Liaoning, Xian, and Shanghai, along with the Beijing Historical Museum and the Palace Museum, which houses art treasures of the Qing Dynasty.

The Chinese film industry is at the forefront of Chinese creative arts. Mawkish socialist dramas have given way to serious films examining and questioning the political and ideological basis of Chinese society. A prominent group of directors, known as the “5th Generation,” has won international awards for its work.

For those who like to purchase artwork and handicrafts, China offers a wide variety. Antique ceramics, scrolls, carvings, and hardwood furniture are available, but prices are high, and objects predating the 19th century cannot be taken out of the country. Export of antiques is subject to close scrutiny by the Cultural Relics Department, which must approve any item before packers are permitted to pack it. Modern copies are widely sold, though the quality varies. Contemporary Chinese painting—both traditional watercolors and oils—is receiving increasing international recognition. Indeed, recent studies by Western scholars argue that the contemporary Chinese art market is substantially undervalued. The handicraft industry has flourished under the economic reforms and offers many regional specialties: Guizhou batik, Suzhou embroidery, carved chops, paper cuts, porcelain figurines, cloisonn‚, cinnabar, carved lacquer, wicker work, basketware, and others.

In an effort to overcome the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, China has made a large and continuing investment in science. Most scientific efforts are devoted to immediate developmental needs: defense, industrial technology, agriculture, and public health, but important advances are being made in basic science research. From 1949 to 1960, P.R.C. science was heavily dependent on support from the Soviet Union, where many Chinese scientists and technicians were trained. In 1978, China decided to adopt Western technology and expertise for its modernization effort and sent thousands of scientists and teachers to Japan and the West (to the U.S. in particular), for training in science and technology specialties. Despite the ideological break with the U.S.S.R., science in China continues to be organized largely along Soviet lines, with research concentrated at the various institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Chinese scientists now participate actively at international conferences, and thousands of Chinese scientific periodicals have resumed publication. The largest U.S. bilateral science and technology exchange program, by far, is with China, and the largest Chinese program is with the U.S.

Compulsory education is mandated in China for the first 9 years of schooling, particularly in rural areas. The current emphasis in Chinese educational policy is on improving secondary, technical, and vocational education and on extending educational opportunities to remote areas and undereducated populations. China is investing in teacher training to address a disastrous shortage of qualified educators. An educational television network and a TV university are broadcast throughout the country.

In order to develop a highly educated elite with the technological and managerial skills necessary for modernization, China has sent thousands of students abroad. The study of English is booming in China, and interest in the U.S. is intense. The Voice of America has millions of listeners in China.

Commerce and Industry Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:39 AM

China’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of about 9% since 1978, when economic policies of “reform and opening up” began. In the early years of reform, about 270 million Chinese lived in conditions of absolute poverty; official P.R.C. estimates in 1998 placed that number at under 40 million. Although growth accelerated in the early 1990’s, China’s leaders became concerned about an “overheating” economy and high inflation rates accompanying rapid growth. In 1993, following cutbacks in public investment and credit expansion, China’s GDP growth began a premeditated slowdown. The East Asian financial crisis left China relatively unaffected in 1997, as China’s tight controls on capital flows and policy-induced exchange rate stability ensured isolation from regional financial turmoil. China contributed to enhancing regional financial stability by its commitment to maintain a stable exchange rate as part of a long-term policy.

As demand for Chinese exports declined throughout the region in 1997–98, Chinese export growth stagnated, and leaders placed a new emphasis on stimulating domestic demand through public works spending and credit expansion. Despite these efforts, China’s growth declined to an official rate of 7.8% in 1998, with many private estimates of growth at 3%–4%. With this slowdown, Chinese firms in all sectors were left with excess production capacity that resulted in signs of deflation in the consumer price index. Although China continues to outperform other economies in the region, its unemployment rate is rising faster than anticipated, causing greater concern over future social instability.

China’s economic success has been accompanied by great regional income disparities. Average per capita incomes in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing (China’s three most affluent cities) are about $3,500, $3,000, and $2,500, respectively. However, 150 million Chinese still live on the equivalent of less than 1 U.S. dollar per day. The so-called “floating population” that migrates from the farm to urban construction sites, intermittently unemployed, is estimated at 100–120 million.

China’s heavy industries are concentrated in the northeast (China’s “rust belt”) and in Shanghai. Once poor agricultural regions in southern China, particularly Guangdong and Fujian Provinces, have emerged as dynamic light industry and trade bases. Although rural areas near the coast and urban centers have in many cases joined in the country’s rapid industrial growth, interior and western provinces lack the advantage of proximity.

Agriculture remains key to China’s economy, with roughly 80% of the population living in rural areas. China is the world’s leading producer of many food crops, including rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes, and is also a major producer of soybeans and peanuts. Major cash crops include cotton, tobacco, and oilseeds. Reform policies encouraging peasants to diversify into vegetable farming, poultry and fish breeding, and animal husbandry have not worked as quickly as had been hoped.

The need to provide food for over a billion people, as well as industrial crops like cotton, for rapidly expanding industries is a continuing challenge. China has already achieved relatively high per-acre yields. About 20% of China’s land is arable but frequently ravaged by droughts and floods. After a series of record harvests in the early 1980s briefly propelled China into the ranks of net food exporters, grain production dipped slightly. Rising domestic demand has forced China to again increase grain imports from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Major floods in 1998 necessitated a $90- million U.N. food relief effort to supply needy areas with wheat and other staples. Overall, China is succeeding in boosting grain production through increased investment, wider dissemination of scientific techniques, and some added incentives to peasants, but abundant production has also eroded prices and farm incomes, giving rise to complex subsidy and budgetary problems.

Beijing’s modernization drive has benefited from a rich natural resource base. The country’s coal reserves are virtually inexhaustible, but transportation bottlenecks and air pollution are major drawbacks to China’s dependency on this fuel. China is one of the world’s largest producers and an oil exporter, but production at some of the largest oilfields has peaked and is beginning to decline. Offshore drilling by Western oil companies has so far produced mixed results. China probably has large untapped oil reserves in the far west, but developing these fields and transporting the oil to markets will require large investments. With the economic slowdown, demand for energy products (oil, coal, gas) had declined by as much as 10% in 1998, according to Embassy estimates, pulling down prices and profitability in this sector.

China’s other mineral resources include iron, tin, tungsten, and many rare earths. China produces a full range of industrial products, from light industrial and consumer goods to satellite launch systems. Many Chinese products still lag behind modern standards in quality and design, however, and there is considerable demand for imported consumer durables as well as high-technology products. The policy of “reform and opening” has promoted the growth of joint ventures, where foreign-designed automobiles and aircraft are assembled, and a variety of other products are made for both the domestic market and export.

Foreign trade has grown by a factor of more than 200 since China “opened” to the outside world. At the end of the last decade, textiles overtook oil and coal as the main foreign exchange earner. China also exports light industrial products, machine tools, and some food products. China imports grain, timber, essential raw materials, high-technology goods, aircraft, and machinery.

Although ongoing reforms have brought about tremendous growth and societal changes, concerns about social stability have inhibited the full implementation of market reform. Moves to downsize the state-owned enterprises—needed to sustain China’s rapid economic growth—have been slow. China’s financial sector and capital markets are not adequately meeting its development needs. China will continue to face enormous social and economic challenges in the coming decades.

Transportation

Automobiles Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:54 AM

Beijing. Most employees in Beijing find it convenient to have a personal vehicle for shopping and local trips. Cars can sometimes be bought from departing diplomats. You may wish to bring one from the U.S., order a Japanese model to be shipped directly from Japan (this takes about 3 months from the order date), or order vehicles from the local dealers, who can import vehicles duty free. The Beijing Government will no longer register diesel vehicles. Vehicles more than 10 years old may not be imported to China and vehicle that is more than 10 years old by the time the employee departs post cannot be sold, and must be reexported or scrapped. Cars meeting U.S., Japanese, or most European standards may be imported, although right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be imported. When departing post, you can sell it to other diplomats or people with duty-free status, but unless your car is particularly desirable, resale prices are not favorable. Four-door cars seem easier to sell than two-door models. Only one personally owned automobile is authorized per employee. Vehicles are rigorously examined by the Chinese before registration. The cost of registration, including license plates, is about US$18. Additionally, there is another charge of about US$18 for emissions inspections. Diplomatic license plates are issued only for cars. Motorcycles cannot be registered in Beijing.

Chinese driver’s licenses are required to drive in China. To obtain a Chinese driver’s license, a foreign license—usually a valid U.S. (or other country) driver’s license—is used to establish proof of the driver’s knowledge. The foreign license will be kept by the Chinese but can be temporarily returned for trips outside China. Most new arrivals find it useful to bring a duplicate license from the U.S. or a license from their last post with them so that they do not need to exchange licenses for every trip to the U.S. In addition to a valid foreign driver’s license, a physical exam is also required. The Chinese will not authorize a driver’s license if blood pressure is not normal; if the applicant’s height is less than 155 cm (5’1”) or to anyone over 70 years of age. In Shanghai, prospective driver’s must also pass a perfunctory oral test on local traffic regulations.

Personally owned vehicles (POV) cannot be driven without third-party insurance. This insurance can be purchased only from the People’s Insurance Company of China. The cost is 1,000 RMB, or about US$120 for 100,000 RMB of third-party coverage. The traffic in China is often chaotic and always undisciplined. Defensive driving and use of seatbelts are imperative. China follows a right-hand-drive pattern, but a number of unique practices, in addition to numerous pedestrians and bicycles, can make driving hazardous and almost always stressful.

Popular vehicles are small sedans, compacts, and sports utility vehicles. Japanese models are the most common. Unleaded gas (93 octane) is available throughout China. The cost of gas is about US$0.28 per liter if purchased at designated filling stations with coupons obtained from the Embassy. Recommended equipment includes heater/air conditioner, front and rear defroster, windshield washer, both left- and right-hand outside mirrors, and rear fog light (cars without a rear fog light may not travel on any of the expressways, including the expressway to the airport). Spare parts are available. There is more available for Japanese cars, and major Japanese automobile companies have opened dealerships and repair facilities in Beijing and some other cities. Employees find it useful to bring air and oil filters, oil, points, spark plugs, radiator hose, brake fluid, and transmission fluid for automatic transmissions. Antifreeze/ radiator coolant and windshield washer solutions are available locally.

Employees should avoid bringing a car that is difficult to repair or is mechanically sophisticated. Repair facilities continue to improve but remain limited. Fuel injection systems are difficult to repair in China because of the absence of proper tools. The repair of standard Japanese vehicles is easiest. Repair facilities for Ford vehicles are located 2 hours away in the port city of Tianjin. There are repair facilities for other American cars, but the mechanics are not necessarily up to U.S. standards. Chinese mechanics can do simple repairs, and occasionally, mechanics at the Embassy do repair work in their spare time, but they are limited in the amount of work they can accept.

Guangzhou. The Chinese Government places no restrictions on the import of a personal vehicle by those with diplomatic passports. Many staff members have shipped personally owned vehicles to post. Vehicles should be equipped with air-conditioning and be easy to maintain. It should be noted that there are restrictions placed on the sale of vehicles. Moreover, it is probable that any sales transactions that could be made within legal parameters would be in RMB, a nonconvertible currency. Also, since it is difficult to get parts and because maintenance services are minimal at post, the owner should bring his/her own replacement parts and be prepared to perform routine maintenance. The majority of cars are Japanese models, and Toyota has recently opened a service facility in the city. Peugeot has a factory on the outskirts of town and has designated authorized service centers as well. This, nonetheless, does not preclude the aforementioned problem with parts and maintenance. Liability insurance costs about 200 RMB (US$24) a year.

Shanghai. Some staff in the apartments closest to the Consulate General have found that they can do without a car; however, others prefer having a private vehicle, as the public transportation system is terribly overcrowded (four passengers per seat is the official estimate), and taxis are not always available when you need them. The joint-venture housing does offer free transport to the American School, as well as limited schedule shuttle service into town. Taxis are located on site and can be booked for use in outside shuttle operation. Taxi fares are reasonable. About 75% of the Consulate General staff have automobiles. Right-hand-drive vehicles are not permitted in Shanghai. Local authorities have advised, however, that there are no restrictions on motorcycles. Any travel (official and unofficial) beyond 25 miles of the Consulate General must be declared to the local authorities.

Shenyang. Regulations similar to the rest of China apply. About one-half of the Consulate General staff members have private cars, but personal vehicles are not necessary for work. Gasoline is inexpensive; the supply is sporadic; and long lines are the rule at Shenyang’s few gas stations. Parts for all makes of car (including Japanese) are expensive and difficult to find. There is now an authorized Toyota dealership in town. Most repair parts are purchased from Hong Kong. Some staff members have bicycles for fair-weather excursions to various sites within the city.

Chengdu. In reversal from previous years, five out of six permanent Foreign Service employees have personally owned vehicles at post. The Consulate compound is just outside the city center, and cars are now used for daily activities in addition to special trips out of town. Parking spaces in the city are limited, and some employees still find it more convenient to ride a bicycle into town (bike parking is plentiful). The number of roads leading out of town that are open to vehicles with consular tags has increased, but there are other roads that are off-limits. No restrictions exist on the type of vehicles that may be imported. Chengdu has adequate repair facilities for the maintenance of Toyota’s, but most car companies are represented on the streets of Chengdu. Nevertheless, if bringing a car to post, it is advisable to ship a basic stock of spare parts, as inventories are limited.

Transportation

Local Transportation Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:54 AM

A well-developed rail system exists in most areas of China. Passenger service, including sleeping car accommodations, is available between all major cities. Domestic air service is extensive, and routes are now serviced almost entirely by jets, many of them American made. On less important routes, there is a mixture of Russian-built turboprops and Chinese or Russian propeller planes. Transportation, especially air costs, are high.

Most major Chinese cities have taxis. Language can be a problem. Even with handy guides for pronouncing your destination in Pinyon Chinese, taxi drivers may have difficulty understanding. Taxi stands with English-speaking dispatchers are available at most Beijing hotels, and taxis of all shapes and sizes congregate in areas frequented by Westerners in the hopes of getting a fare, or they can be easily hailed on the street. Most taxis are metered and charge US$1.83 at flag-down and US$0.32 a kilometer. The fares are set, and passengers need not worry about being overcharged, unless they enter a taxi without a meter. Receipts are given upon request. There is no tipping.

A shuttle bus is authorized for locations that have unreliable transportation. In Shenyang and Chengdu, the Consulate buildings and residences are adjacent to each other.

Transportation

Regional Transportation Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:55 AM

Nonstop international air service links Beijing with Japan and to many cities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. All employees and family members newly assigned to the Consulates General generally travel to their posts via 1 day of consultation in Beijng.

The Chinese flag carrier, CAAC, provides air service between Beijing and Hong Kong, Bangkok, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Osaka, Sydney, Manila, Karachi, Nagasaki, Tokyo, and Rangoon, as well as to cities in the U.S. Other airways represented in Beijing include Aeroflot, Air France, British Air, Dragon Air (to/from Hong Kong), Lufthansa, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Iran Air, All-Nippon Air, Quantas, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Swissair, Thai International, and Tarom.

Shanghai has nonstop service to Detroit, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, and Vancouver. Chinese and U.S. air carriers provide direct and indirect air service via Tokyo and Osaka between the U.S. and China. United Airlines offers routes between New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and/or Los Angeles, and Shanghai and Beijing. Northwest Airlines provides passenger service from Los Angeles, via Seattle, to Shanghai and a direct flight through Detroit. Airlines serving Shanghai also include Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air, and Shanghai Airlines (regional services only but separate from CAAC).

Communications

Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:56 AM

Many improvements in telephone service have been made in recent years. The Chinese telephone system is quickly becoming a system meeting U.S. standards. An example of this is the addition of IDD lines. However, the new arrival may experience some frustration when dealing with the Chinese system. All apartments have two telephone instruments installed. Extra telephones and IDD lines may be obtained for an additional fee. The monthly rate for basic service is comparable to that in the U.S.

International calls may be made to most parts of the world and English-speaking operators are on duty 24 hours daily. Connections to the U.S. and to other countries are good, and the cost is comparable to that in the U.S. AT&T, MCI, and Sprint offer access to the U.S. telephone system via a direct-dial number that can be accessed from apartment telephones and many public telephones in Beijing. Post recommends that employees obtain a commercial vendor card (AT&T, MCI, or Sprint are now operational in China), so that calls to the U.S. can be made at preferential rates. In addition, AT&T offers a discount rate (Military Savers Plus) for calls that originate in Beijing between 0800 and 2200 local time at considerable discounts to the standard rate, and at significant savings over telephone calls placed through Chinese IDD line or a Chinese operator.

Seek information on obtaining a calling card before departure for post. If this is not possible, post has calling card applications available, and the applications may be completed after arrival. A U.S. telephone number is not required to obtain a calling card, only a Mastercard or Visa card.

Domestic and international telex and telegraphic service is quick and reliable but can be expensive. The Embassy currently has seven FAX machines. Since IDD lines can be obtained for residences, FAX machines will operate in apartments.

Communications

Internet Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:57 AM

Internet is now available all over China. Local internet providers are available, with connection time charged at an hourly rate plus a one-time registration and connection fee. In Beijing, there are a variety of Internet Service Providers (ISP) to choose from, typically with dial-in modem speeds up to 33.6 KBPS. Charges are generally based on usage, and, although more expensive than in the U.S., are reasonably priced. Connection speeds to websites are slower than in the U.S. but are steadily improving, and leisurely “surfing,” with patience, can be attained.

Communications

Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:59 AM

International mail service is reliable and quick. The average transit time to the U.S. is 10 days. An average first-class airmail letter of 1 oz. to the U.S. will cost $1.25. The cost of international mail is calculated by the gram. One ounce is equal to about 30 grams. For example, envelopes containing bills or a one-page letter cost 10.40 Yuan, or about $1.25.

International addresses are as follows:

Beijing (Employee’s Name) American Embassy Xiu Shui Bei Jie #3 Beijing 100600 People’s Republic of China

Shenyang (Employee’s Name) American Consulate General #52 14th Wei Lu Heping District Shenyang 110003 People’s Republic of China

Shanghai (Employee’s Name) American Consulate General 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Lu Shanghai 200031 People’s Republic of China

Guangzhou (Employee’s Name) American Consulate General #1 South Shamian Street Shamian Island Guangzhou 510033 People’s Republic of China

Chengdu (Employee’s Name) American Consulate General Renmin Nan Lu, Si Duan #4 Lingshiguan Lu Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China

China posts have access to the Military Postal System via the FPO located in Hong Kong for sending and receiving personal mail and packages. Packages should not exceed 40 pounds in weight or 100 inches combined length and girth. Postal regulations require the use of gummed paper tape or filament tape for packages, and a supply of these items should be brought to post, as they are difficult to obtain locally. U.S. postage stamps for letter mail may be obtained at post, but it is recommended that a small supply be brought to post.

Private use of the pouch is not authorized if post has access to the Military Postal System. Unofficial mail received in the Department will be returned to the sender. Please advise your correspondents of the correct FPO address for your post. The average transit time for both letters and packages in the FPO system is 13 days from the U.S. to Hong Kong. Transit between Hong Kong and China adds an additional week.

FPO mail has the following addresses:

Beijing (Employee’s Name) PSC 461 Box 50 FPO–AP 96521–0002

Chengdu (Employee’s Name) PSC 461 Box 85 FPO–AP 96521–0002

Shenyang (Employee’s Name) PSC 461 Box 45 FPO–AP 96521–0002

Shanghai (Employee’s Name) PSC 461 Box 200 FPO–AP 96521–0002

Guangzhou (Employee’s Name) PSC 461 Box 100 FPO–AP 96521–0002

For dependents receiving pouch mail, the addressee’s name should appear on the first line, followed immediately below by the full name of the employee, and the remainder of the address as given above.

Employees with spouses, children, or other eligible family members who have different surnames should advise their post of this fact before having mail sent to post. Unidentified mail will be returned to the sender.

Communications

Radio and TV Last Updated: 12/10/2003 11:59 AM

In addition to Chinese-language programming, local AM and FM radio stations have daily news and feature programs in English and regularly broadcast Western classical and pop music. A shortwave radio will provide you with the opportunity to listen to VOA, BBC, Radio Australia, and other English-language broadcasts.

Several TV channels can be received in most cities, with virtually all programs in color. Although most programs are in Chinese, the national network, CCTV, and municipal stations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou now broadcast English-language news programs. Several popular American television programs are regularly broadcast in Chinese. Cable TV, with programs from the U.S. (CNN, HBO, etc.), Asia (Star TV), Europe, and Japan, is now available in most diplomats’ housing and modern apartments.

TV made for the U.S. or Europe will not receive Chinese broadcasts that use the PAL system. Multisystem, Japanese-manufactured TV sets and VCR players that can play both American and Chinese programs can be ordered through PX facilities, AAFES catalog, or purchased at local department stores at reasonable prices.

Communications

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:00 AM

Since 1981, the Chinese authorities have been publishing the English-language China Daily, which appears 6 days a week. This newspaper contains local and international news, business reports, a sports page with scores from around the world, and several local features. The China Daily publishes a weekly supplement, Beijing Weekend, that provides information on art, cultural, and general entertainment events.

The International Herald Tribune, the Asian Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, and most other American and European periodicals can be purchased in hotels and bookstores in many major cities.

You can subscribe to the International Herald Tribune or the Pacific editions of Stars and Stripes, Time, and Newsweek. For these publications, international mail or the post’s local address is used. Other U.S. publications may be sent via FPO.

Because English-language books and videos are limited, you may want to bring a good supply, although it is convenient to order these items over the Internet.

Health and Medicine

Medical Facilities Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:01 AM

Beijing. The Embassy Medical Unit is staffed by a Foreign Service regional medical officer (RMO), two expatriate nurses, a Foreign Service regional medical technologist, and one Chinese receptionist.

The Embassy Medical Unit provides care similar to that available in a small family practice clinic in the U.S. In an acute emergency when hospitalization is necessary, the patient can be hospitalized at a small, American joint-venture hospital (Beijing United Family Hospital), or stay for short periods at a large, joint-venture clinic (AEA Clinic). One of the local (Chinese) hospitals might also be used for stabilization of more complicated medical problems—Peking Union Medical College, Sino-Japanese Hospital, or the Beijing Hospital. Due to the large expatriate community and foreign tourists, the Chinese hospitals have become much more experienced in caring for foreigners. Nevertheless, in recent years, more and more of the expatriate medical care is being handled in the expatriate hospitals and clinics. Patients who need more advanced levels of care that cannot be provided locally will be medically evacuated to Hong Kong or to the U.S.

The Embassy Medical Unit is located behind the Ambassador’s residence. Services in the Medical Unit include a small pharmacy stocked with medicines for most acute illnesses. Individuals on chronic medications (including birth control pills, Ritalin, and contact lens solutions) should bring their supplies with them. Check medical insurance policies for mail-order pharmaceutical service, since those services offer considerable cost-savings. There is also an excellent laboratory that can do most of the tests required in an outpatient primary care clinic. Specimens that cannot be processed in the Embassy laboratory are sent to outside laboratories, either in one of the expatriate medical clinics or to the U.S. The Medical Unit does not have an ambulance, and the local ambulance service is not at all satisfactory, though the expatriate clinics do provide some basic ambulance services.

Although there are no expatriate hospitals, there are several expatriate clinics. The International Medical Center is a joint venture with several expatriate physicians and is open 24 hours daily. The Asia Emergency Assistance (AEA) medical evacuation company also has a clinic near the Ta Yuan diplomatic housing compound. It has a particularly wide range of excellent clinicians. The Beijing United Family Hospital is close to the International School. This facility provides 24-hour emergency outpatient and inpatient care. The excellent laboratory, beautiful d‚cor, and advanced medical equipment make it popular with many patients.

Like everything imported into China, the care at these clinics is relatively expensive, but it is also of an “international” standard. They have had some problems importing vaccines and medicines, but these problems are being rapidly resolved, and they are providing greater pharmacy support for American patients. When the RMO is out of town due to regional responsibilities or off duty or on personal leave, these expatriate clinics provide back up. Patients are generally satisfied with the level of care they receive.

The level of care available in the dental facilities in Beijing has increased over the past few years. The foreign dentists (including one American dentist) at all three of the facilities described above provide a wide range of dental care that is of high quality but can be expensive. Of course, individuals are always well-advised to have any routine dental work done by their personal dentists before coming to Beijing. Although patients needing very complicated orthodontic care should probably not expect to find that available here, there is a surprising range of orthodontic care available now. Patients should query the Embassy Medical Unit about the level of care available to meet their particular orthodontic (or dental) problems.

Health and Medicine

Preventive Measures Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:04 AM

Everyone’s basic immunizations should be current. In addition, the following are recommended for China: Hepatitis B, Japanese B Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, and rabies for individuals who work in high-risk occupations (animal husbandry, for example).

Overall, China is a healthier place than most countries in South Asia or Africa. Cholera, typhoid fever, intestinal parasites, and dysentery are not at all common, and most childhood diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria are quite rare. Malaria prophylaxis is not needed except for overnight, rural exposures in the Hainan Islands and in areas near the Vietnam border.

Hepatitis is a major problem in China (type A, B, and E). Japanese Encephalitis is still a threat during mosquito season. Since vaccines for these diseases require several shots to provide full protection, start the immunization series as soon as possible. Air pollution is bad in China, and anyone with a chronic respiratory problem such as emphysema should not come to China. In the winter months, severe dryness aggravates mucuous membranes, and colds are common. Improvements in the windows in the Embassy and Consulate General housing in recent years have dramatically decreased the amount of particulate pollution inside our homes. Humidifiers are essential for winters in Beijing and Shenyang—both posts provide them. China is a breeding ground for “Asian epidemic influenza.” Annual influenza vaccine is strongly recommended, especially for those with chronic illnesses. Upper respiratory infection is the most common disease seen at the Medical Unit.

While tests done on the water from the municipal systems in most of the major cities have not shown any major medical problems, that water must nevertheless be boiled before drinking. Water distillers are provided by several of the posts, and these are sometimes easier to use than boiling and filtering the water. Many people also use commercial bottled drinking water. Nightsoil is still used for vegetables, and all vegetables should be soaked in a chlorine solution. The fluoride level in China is low, and a supplement is necessary for young children at all of our posts.

Bring plenty of over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol), cold medicines, and skin lotions or creams. These items are also all available locally. An extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses is recommended. The dusty atmosphere is especially hard on contact lenses.

Families with small children are advised to bring a cold mist vaporizer that is helpful in dealing with the winter respiratory illnesses of the young. A heating pad may also be useful. The electric current in China is 50-cycle, 220-volt.

Consulates General. The regional medical officer (RMO) from Beijing provides coverage for all of the Consulates General in China and the American Embassy in Mongolia. The Foreign Service Nurse Practitioner from Hong Kong also covers Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Chengdu. Most of the posts have a locally hired expatriate nurse working part-time at the Medical Unit. Chengdu has a Peace Corps medical officer (nurse or a physician assistant). The medical capability is limited at these Medical Units, and individuals at posts outside of Beijing must rely on Chinese physicians and facilities more than is the case in Beijing. An excellent expatriate clinic is available in Shanghai. All of the Consulate General cities have basic dental facilities for very simple dental emergencies, but most dental problems at the Consulates General must be managed in Hong Kong. All medical and dental evacuations must be coordinated through the RMO in Beijing. Individuals headed for Guangzhou should note that the criteria for medical evacuation are the same for all posts in China. (While Hong Kong’s proximity to Guangzhou provides relatively easy access to Hong Kong’s medical services, this does not mean that every medical or dental problem in Guangzhou can be referred to Hong Kong.)

Employment for Spouses and Dependents Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:06 AM

There are frequent full- and part-time job openings at U.S. Embassy Beijing and Consulates General for eligible family members (EFMs) who have professional, administrative, and clerical skills. There is often a demand for private English instruction in the foreign diplomatic and business communities, as well as teaching positions at various local and international schools. Please refer to a current Overseas Family Member Employment Report (FAMER) and the annual Family Liaison Office (FLO) Report for more details on positions available at the Embassy and Consulates General. It is based on information collected from posts worldwide and lists positions within Embassies or Consulates General held by eligible family members (EFMs).

There is no bilateral work agreement between the U.S. and the P.R.C. The Chinese Government requires diplomatic family members to waive all diplomatic immunity—criminal as well as administrative—in order to work on the local economy. Naturally, the Embassy and Consulates General do not allow family members to waive their diplomatic immunity for any reason.

For practical purposes, this means Embassy and Consulate General family members are limited to working within the American Embassy or Consulates General at the American Employees Association, other Embassies or Consulates General, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and the international schools. A teaching certificate and experience is usually required for fulltime teaching positions (see Education, school sections, for contact addresses). The number of vacancies varies greatly each year; qualified eligible family members are urged to contact schools as early as possible.

American Embassy - Beijing

Post City Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:06 AM

Beijing is on the northern edge of the North China Plain. To the west and north are hills, rising to 11,000 feet while flat, fertile farmlands stretch to the south and east. The city has five ring roads (some sections are raised highways) which allow for easier access around the city and to the outskirts. Despite the construction of several expressways and the extension of the fourth ring road, worsening overall traffic congestion, caused by a proliferation of taxicabs and privately owned vehicles on city streets, is an ever increasing problem.

Pockets of splendid old buildings—notably the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing Dynasties—still preserve the charm of premodern Beijing. In all sections of Beijing, though, new high-rise office buildings, hotels, shopping complexes, and apartment houses are either under construction or recently completed. Nonstop change is evident everywhere, although certain sections of the city are still largely characterized by narrow streets fronted by gray walls, beyond which gray roofs with slightly upturned gables mark courtyards and residences, intersected with blocks of brick apartments for workers.

Change is not only evident in the overwhelming number of construction projects. Trendy nightspots, restaurants of all cuisines and classes (including more than 40 McDonalds), shopping plazas crammed with imported goods, and Internet cafés all reflect China’s leap into the modern world. Beijing has always been the “center” of things Chinese. Today, it is the central meeting place for the international business and diplomatic worlds. Being part of this fast-moving social and cultural tide is itself half the fascination of being in Beijing.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:08 AM

The Embassy opened officially on March 1, 1979, replacing the U.S. Liaison Office at Beijing, after full diplomatic relations were established between the U.S. and the P.R.C. on January 1, 1979. The Mission has three separate compounds. The Chancery, known as “San-Ban,” is located at Xiu Shui Bei Jie #3 in the Ritan diplomatic area, 2 miles from the center of Beijing. It houses the offices of the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, Political, Economic, Science and Technology, Communications Sections, Regional Security Office, Programs and Plans, and the Defense Attaché Office. The Bruce Compound, or “Er-Ban,” is across the street at Xiu Shui Dong Jie #2 and houses the Consular Section, the Administrative Section, the CLO Office, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Embassy Employees Association “Locker” (commissary), and GSO offices and shops. Nearby at Guang Hua Lu #17 is Yi-Ban, which houses the Information and Cultural Section, the Health Unit, and the Ambassador’s residence. The Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) offices are located in the FCS Office Building adjacent to the Chancery at Xiu Shui Bei Jie #3. Directly behind the FCS Office Building is the Embassy Recreation Center with a snackbar, indoor swimming pool, and sauna. All compounds are within a 15-minute walk from the two oldest permanent diplomatic housing areas at Qijiayuan and Jianguomenwai. Additional Embassy housing is located in the Sanlitun area about 3 miles north of the Chancery, at Ta Yuan, Capital Mansion, and Pacific Century Place.

The recent growth of the Embassy has necessitated rental of both office space and apartments on the commercial market. The American Center for Educational Exchange is located on the 28th floor of the Jingguang Center, a modern high-rise office building a short driving distance from the compounds at 2801-05 Hujia Lu. The Federal Aviation Administration, INS, Customs, and APHIS all have office space in commercial buildings located about 10 minutes from the Chancery.

The Embassy switchboard number is 6532–3831 for San-Ban and for Er-Ban. During working hours, Er-Ban operates its own switchboard at 6532–3431. Both the Information and Cultural Center and the Health Unit have a direct switchboard number at 6532–1161. The number at the American Center is 6501–5242, and at FAA/INS/Customs/APHIS building it is 6595–8093. Embassy office hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Embassy’s web site address is: http://WWW.USEMBASSYCHINA.ORG.CN The web site is maintained by the Public Affairs Section, has interesting and up-to-date information (such as pollution indexes).

Employees and spouses should bring to post at least ten 2” x 2” passport-size photos, to be used for Ministry of Foreign Affairs identification cards, driver’s licenses, and occasional third-country visas.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:08 AM

Newly assigned employees should inform the Embassy of arrival plans as far in advance as possible. Employees are urged to arrive on weekdays. For the last several years, the Embassy has been able to put most new arrivals directly into their permanent housing upon arrival or within 2 or 3 weeks thereafter. If permanent quarters are not available immediately on arrival, temporary housing is usually in an apartment at one of the diplomatic compounds. Hotels are rarely used.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:09 AM

The Embassy’s Interagency Housing Board assigns permanent quarters based on a combined point and space criteria system that takes into account (in order) family size, date of arrival at post, and any unusual medical problems. Length of service and grade can influence housing assignments in case of ties based on the top criteria.

The Embassy has made great strides recently in improving both the quality and variety of housing. Now only personnel who, for reasons of convenience, desire to reside in Housing Services apartment housing continue to do so. Most families now live in USG leased- or -owned housing concentrated in downtown highrise apartment buildings. Responding, however, to the International School of Beijing’s relocation to the suburbs, we have begun to acquire housing for families with children in single family dwellings outside of town. While this gives Embassy children easy access to school, the trade off is a 25–40 minute commute into the Embassy for the employee. All Embassy housing is located in buildings and areas reserved for the exclusive occupancy of foreign residents.

Though our apartments have generally improved, kitchens are still, on average, too small to entertain efficiently, and insufficient storage space remains a problem.

The Ambassador’s residence has a master bedroom, a bath, a living/dining area, a small kitchen, and two small guest bedrooms upstairs; a library, large entry hall, reception, dining room, guest bedroom with bath, lavatory, kitchen and laundry on the ground floor; and storage and utility rooms in the basement. The reception area opens onto a partially covered patio used for large gatherings in the spring through autumn months.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 9/16/2005 3:53 PM

The apartments are adequately furnished by the Embassy, and additional furniture usually cannot be accommodated. There are few or no storage areas for unwanted items, and employees are encouraged to limit their shipments to essentials. Following is a list of furniture provided in a typical apartment:

Living room: 1 or 2 sofas, 2 or 3 occasional chairs, coffee table, 2 or 3 lamps, shelving unit

Dining room: Dining table with extensions, 8 chairs, china cabinet, buffet/side board

Kitchen: stove, microwave oven, refrigerator (freezer), washer, dryer

Master bedroom: queen-size bed (some apartments may have twin beds), 2 night tables, dresser, mirror, 2 lamps, occasional chair

Additional bedrooms: single bed/couch with bed, chest of drawers, 1 night table Furnishings also include rugs, lamps, draperies, humidifiers, air-conditioners, vacuum cleaners, and transformers. Transformers are furnished only for Government-issued appliances and computer equipment. Bring linens (bed linens for queen-sized and single beds only), dishes, kitchen equipment, and personal objects for decoration.

Storage and closet space is minimal in all apartments. An extra set of shower curtains, with hooks, will be useful as they are hard to find in Beijing and after a year of use, appear soiled from the mineral deposits in the water. Nonslip bath mats and bathroom rugs are also useful.

Beijing’s dust and pollution are a problem year round, but especially penetrating and pervasive in the winter and spring, when dust storms occur. Soft coal, though being supplanted with natural gas in the heart of Beijing, is still widely used as a winter fuel outside the Third Ring Road and adds an oily, gray quality to the air. Needless to say, the dust and pollution can ruin fine rugs and tapestries, and electronic equipment needs to be protected as best as possible at all times.

Most people bring pictures, lamps, knickknacks, etc., to give a personal touch to their apartments. A variety of Chinese furniture, scrolls, paintings, rugs, porcelain, trunks, and souvenirs can be purchased locally. Many employees try to save some weight in their household effects to accommodate their purchases in China.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:12 AM

Beijing electric current is 220v, 50 cycles. Wall sockets are typically designed for three-sprocket plugs, with the top two sprockets angled out at 45 degrees, but the plugs in different apartments, and even in the same apartment, may vary widely. American-style plugs can usually be twisted to fit the top two receptacles but provide no ground. The Embassy provides some transformers that permit use of 110v equipment and appliances. Most modern appliances (including TVs, cassette recorders, boom boxes, compact disc players, answering machines, FAX machines, etc.) with 60-cycle name plates will run on 110v, 50-cycle power without a problem. Similarly, computers and monitors will also run on 50-cycle power through a transformer without any difficulties.

Some Embassy staff have encountered problems with miswired transformers that have caused equipment to fail. One Embassy staffer recommends that if you bring equipment with U.S. three-prong plugs, purchase a three-prong plug wiring checker, which is available at most hardware stores. This checker, through easy to read lights, will diagnose whether a transformer is correctly wired and will not damage equipment connected to it. Surge protectors for computers and FAX machines are also highly recommended.

All apartments in diplomatic compounds have hot and cold running water provided by a central system, but reliability in individual buildings varies widely, and lack of adequate hot water often occurs without notice. Some apartments seldom get adequate hot water, despite constant complaints from tenants. In late spring or early summer, the city’s hot water system is closed for a variable period (usually about 1–2 weeks) for maintenance, leaving all residents with only cold water. A small capacity hot water heater has been installed in all apartments which, during this period, will supply hot water for basic bathing needs. Apartments located outside diplomatic compounds do not have their hot water turned off in the spring.

Stoves use city gas. Radiators give more than ample heat in the winter and supplemental heaters are not required. Electric clocks, record players, tape recorders, etc., will not work properly unless designed for, or adapted to, 50-cycle power.

Conversion plugs can be obtained from the Embassy or purchased locally. Several heavy duty extension cords will be useful in most apartments. The electrical supply is dependable, but wiring is inadequate, and only a limited number of appliances may be used at the same time, especially in the older, diplomatic compounds. Fuse boxes are locked, and fuses can be replaced only by building personnel, who may not come immediately, especially at night. Many 220v appliances (coffee makers, blenders, rice cookers, TV, VCR, DVD players, etc.) can be purchased locally for reasonable prices.

Food Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:27 AM

Growth of the retail trade business has made it possible to find locally a wide array of imported goods and most of the components of a typical American diet. Besides the outdoor neighborhood market stalls, where prices are almost always cheap (bargaining for a price is a must), there are now several larger supermarkets as well as smaller neighborhood-style convenience stores selling local and imported items. Imported food is expensive. You will find local products at prices comparable to the Washington, D.C. area. Warehouse shopping, a new trend in China, offers imported as well as locally produced items for sale at reasonable prices. Some of these stores require a membership fee.

Fresh and frozen meat, including beef, pork, and lamb, are easily available. Various delicatessens around town, newer supermarkets, and a German butcher offer Western cuts of meat, as well as fresh and frozen chicken (both whole and cut-up) and turkey and duck (frozen poultry products are also sold at the Locker). Hormel offers a delicious selection of hot dogs, bacon, ham, and sausage. Fresh and frozen seafood comes in many varieties (and quality). Shrimp, scallops, squid, and imported fish such as rainbow trout, to name a few, can be found. Imported cheeses (at very high prices), deli meats, and fresh baked goods are also available.

Fresh pasteurized, homogenized milk is sold almost everywhere. UHT (long-life) milk (low-fat and skim, as well as full fat) is also available (imported mainly from Australia). Butter, margarine, and cheddar-style cheese are available in both locally made and imported varieties. A Swedish-Chinese joint-venture company produces a heavy cream similar to crème fraîche, yogurt (plain and limited selections of flavors), cottage cheese, and sour cream. With the exception of yogurt, however, these items are rather expensive (imported brands at higher prices are also available).

Fresh fruit and produce is abundant. Outdoor markets and supermarkets stock a variety of fruits and vegetables year-round. Produce available year round includes cabbage, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, beets, carrots, garlic and bean sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, corn, eggplant, lettuce, green peppers, spinach, and string beans. The popularity of “hothouse farming” has made available such diverse items as fresh white mushrooms, Italian parsley, okra, zucchini, Japanese eggplant, and beautifully ripe tomatoes. Boutique fruit stands offer seasonal and expensive fruits such as mangoes, lemons, imported apples, cherries and Asian pears. Chinese-grown fruit—banana, watermelon, peaches, lychees, strawberries, persimmons, pineapples, plums, and mandarin oranges—are available at different times of the year.

Supermarkets sell frozen vegetables at considerably higher prices than in the U.S. Canned items are also available; their quality may vary but the prices are consistently high. A variety of juices are regularly available either fresh, canned, or in cartons, including orange, grapefruit, pineapple, tomato, guava, grape, and various juice blends. All are expensive compared to prices in the U.S.

All of the following are easily found: grains (several varieties of rice, cornmeal, oatmeal, macaroni, spaghetti, millet); spices (bay leaf, cinnamon, coriander, non-iodized salt, pepper, curry powder, chili powder, sesame seeds and paste, anise); nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, cashews); granulated sugar, cooking oils, cookies, jams, honey, vinegar, catsup, beer, wine (both imported and Chinese), soda water, mineral water, imported spirits, and many Western brands of candy and gum. Bagels and catered gourmet food are also available.

You may wish to bring along some convenience foods you particularly like, especially any gourmet items.

Infants’ and children’s products. If you have infants, bring sufficient supplies of baby food. The local supply is limited, and baby cereals contain added sugar.

Infant formula is available in many American, European, and Asian brands, including Enfamil, Similac, Isomil, Dumex (Australian), Isolac (Dutch), Nan (sold all over Asia), Snow (Japanese), Frisolac, and Nursoy, at prices similar to those in the U.S. You can also purchase lactose-free, soy-based formulas (soy-based are a little harder to find). Other European brands are also available. Kraft and Nestle powdered milks, imported and domestically made (full-fat), can be purchased here. Fresh and long-life (UHT) milk is available in low and full fat. If you must have a particular brand, check with post before you make bulk purchases; it may have appeared on the local markets.

Infant formula can be purchased at all joint-venture hotel supermarkets, at the Friendship and Duty-Free stores, and at more upscale Chinese stores.

Diapers are available, both imported and Chinese brands. Disposable diapers in most sizes, at reasonable prices, are available locally. Other products for infants (e.g., baby wipes, diaper cleaning solution, pacifiers, toothbrushes, bottles, lotions, powder, shampoo, clothes, etc.) are usually available, although they can be expensive. Try to bring a good supply of infant products with you, and then plan on ordering more or having relatives send supplements from the U.S.

Baby juices, biscuits, cereals, and baby food are available but are expensive, in limited selection, and often have added sugar. Powdered rice, wheat, and other grain cereals are widely sold but may contain added sugar. If you plan to rely heavily on canned or jarred foods, you should definitely bring them with you, or order through the Locker.

For older children’s food needs, you should just be aware that staples like American breakfast cereals, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, juices, etc., can be very expensive locally and should be bulk-ordered whenever possible. Good local jams and jellies are available.

Locally made bottles and nipples are available and inexpensive, although the quality of the plastic may not be up to U.S. standards. Imported bottles, brushes, and nipples are sometimes available at the Duty-Free Store, the Friendship Stores, and the larger department stores, like Gui-You, Yaohan, and Landao. Baby goods supplies can be irregular. If your child likes a particular brand of pacifier, nipple, etc., buy as much as you think you will need before you come. If you want a bottle sterilizer, breast pump, bottle warmer or caddy, be sure to bring those with you as well.

Personal care items (for adults and children/infants): lotion, powder, shampoo, etc., and any over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, vitamins, cold remedies, etc., are available but expensive and of a different quality.

A good rule of thumb: if you have a favorite brand of some specialty items, where possible, include a supply in your shipment. Any item that must be imported will be rather expensive. Here is a quote to consider: “There is the occasional depression that overtakes the staunchest spirit here.” For those down periods, wedding anniversaries, or other special occasions, bring some luxury items near and dear to your stomach!

The American Employees Association was founded to conduct activities primarily for the benefit and welfare of the employees and their families of the U.S. Mission in Beijing and extends such activities to other persons (such as temporary duty personnel and Consulate General employees and families), as designated by the Board of Directors. Employees are welcomed and encouraged to join AEA, for which a refundable membership fee is required. This allows access to the Locker and various other services, including video rentals, travelers checks, and bill-paying services to local vendors. AEA services include:

Great Wall Locker. Imported from the U.S. is a variety of foods, soft drinks, chips, paper products, cleansers, canned goods, cereals, coffee, powdered milk, juices, mayonnaise, condiments, wines, and liquor. Stock is designed to complement goods available locally, furnishing basic needs and popular products. Local products are also stocked, such as meats from the German Butcher and Hormel, bagels, cheese, and ice cream.

Bulk orders. The Great Wall Locker places orders for U.S. goods about four times a year. AEA members can add a personal order for products by caselot.

Snackbar. “Fan-Ban” (snackbar that is run by a concessionaire) is open for breakfast and lunch and offers both Chinese and America-cuisine. The food is moderately priced and of good quality. Outdoor seating is available during warm weather.

Internet bill-paying service. Many members enjoy Internet service on their home computers. For a small monthly fee, AEA offers a “bill-paying” service freeing members from paying their individual bills personally.

Summer camp. AEA sponsors a summer day camp for kids ages 5–12 from mid-June through the beginning of August. The camp is professionally run by fully trained counselors from the University of Northern Iowa’s Camp Adventure program and is open to the Embassy and expatriate community. The camp features field trips, swimming, crafts, and games with a new theme each week. Counselor-in-training positions provide opportunities for teens to work with the Camp Adventure staff, and Li’l People Camp, for ages 3 and 4, provides age-appropriate activities, games, arts and crafts, and swimming. Camp spaces fill up fast; E-mail AEA at: aeabeij@eastnet.com.cn.

America Community Preschool. AEA manages the contract for the America Community Preschool (ACP), which was established by a group of parents in 1993 with the objective of providing quality preschool education within the American community. The school runs half-days Monday through Friday for 3- and 4-year-olds. The daily routine is designed to develop the socialization skills of 3-year-olds and prepare the 4-year-olds for kindergarten. ACP is run by a board composed of the parents of the students and taught by certified teachers. E-mail: aeabeij@eastnet.com.cn

Clothing Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:29 AM

Summer months and even late spring and early fall can be very hot and humid, much like Washington, D.C. Spring and autumn are pleasant, but seasons rapidly change. Winters are dry with usually very little snow, sometimes only a small number of snowfalls of not more than a few inches or less. Windy conditions, especially in winter and early spring, can make it bitterly cold. The drought of the past few years has increased the frequency of dust storms and most people now find it necessary to use air cleaners in their homes. Dust mixed with rain has even produced a mud rain day.

During hot sunny days, protective clothing is a must, along with moisturizer and sunblock. Though it seems to rarely rain at all these days in Beijing, when it does, it rains in torrents so a long raincoat and waterproof boots are useful, especially since drainage on Beijing streets is not so good. Prepare your wardrobe with extremes in mind, especially if you will be doing a lot of traveling in China—from the northeast where you need as many layers as you can wear in the winter to the desert in the northwest during the summer, where maximum temperatures go to 117ºF.

For outdoor winter activities, people generally wear long underwear, warm tops, and pants, with a variety of wool, down-filled, and other coats, hats, and scarves. Boots only need to be ankle high, unless you want higher boots for warmth. In summer, you need to have layers just as in Washington, D.C. to go from home air-conditioning to hot, muggy streets, and into the air-conditioning at the office or in shopping malls.

Working men and women should bring a wardrobe of business clothes. Both men’s and women’s business suits can be tailored here for moderate to expensive prices in local or imported fabrics. Women’s dressy tailoring is also available and quite good. This said, most people still replenish their wardrobes on R&R or home leave travel to the U.S.

Foreigners’clothing is fairly informal and reflects prevailing fashions in Europe and the U.S., or in their native country with a variety of national costumes seen in the diplomatic compounds and at international events. Business suits, street-length and long dresses, and pantsuits are worn at banquets and dinners for visiting delegations where there are Chinese hosts or guests. Only rare occasions will be black tie affairs. There are several balls every year in the foreign community. For men, you may want to bring a tuxedo or you can have one made here. For women, at least one ball gown or ankle-length dressy outfit for the annual Marine Ball in November would be nice to have. Daytime requires sturdy, practical, and generally washable clothing. Beijing tends to be dirty and dusty. Dry-cleaning is reasonable and readily available.

Bring at least a year’s supply of footwear; good quality shoes are hard to find. Bring tennis shoes, walking shoes, boots, and hiking boots with you. Many interesting outings require sturdy footwear. Bring all your underwear, stockings, socks, etc., since local items can be of poor quality, expensive, and may not fit well.

Local department stores and markets do carry some underwear, sports and dress shirts, silk underwear, down and other jackets, and sweaters. Most employees prefer to bring or order their favorite brands and styles from the U.S. for the bulk of their wardrobes. Shopping in the free markets for down and other jackets, silk items, sweaters, scarves, and hats is very popular. Some Western companies contract with Chinese firms to have items produced in China, and some, often seconds, show up in the flea markets at bargain prices compared to their U.S. equivalents.

Baby clothes are very inexpensive here. Keep in mind that for children under age 2, most Chinese clothing comes with split (open in the back) pants, since they do not generally use diapers. Bring an initial supply of baby clothing and supplement with local clothing and by ordering by catalog or the Internet. Bring good sturdy climbing clothing for toddlers.

For older children, the flea markets carry a large selection of jeans, sweaters, T-shirts, and other “teen” things at inexpensive to moderate prices. Clothing for school should include sweatsuits for physical education class and sneakers. Bring children’s shoes or plan to shop by catalog or the Internet.

Ordering with U.S. companies over the Internet is popular, and clothes can be received in as little as 2 weeks through the FPO in Hong Kong and the branch FPO in Beijing.

Because of the dryness in winter, static electricity can be a problem. Static spray is available; people keep it in their office drawer for daily use.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:31 AM

Almost every category of supplies is available in Beijing, although your preferred brand may not be. Most Western items can be ordered in bulk through the American Employees Association (see Food) from the U.S. New supermarkets and warehouse supermarkets (some with memberships) have opened in recent years, offering a wide choice of items that are close to U.S. prices, especially for bulk purchases.

Bring at least an initial supply of brands of toiletries and cosmetics you prefer. Local products can differ widely from what Americans are used to, but some brands are acceptable. Western cosmetics and toiletries are available in a number of stores at reasonable prices. Bath oils and lotions, moisturizers, and creams are popular, because skin becomes exceedingly dry and itchy in the dry winter climate.

Most local household cleaning products are not up to Western standards. The Embassy Locker and local supermarkets carry American cleaning products, and the prices are reasonable. Since the water in Beijing is exceptionally hard, American-style detergents such as Tide do a much better job cleaning clothes than local detergents. Other good European and Asian cleaning products are available as well.

Cockroaches can be a problem, especially in the summer, depending on where you live. Bug killer, roach traps, and insect repellants are available locally, although roach traps (sticky type roach “motels”) can be hard to find. Flies and mosquitoes are not as much of a problem, although in July and August you may need mosquito killers and bug repellants.

Resealable plastic bags (including freezer bags), aluminum foil, wax paper, and plastic wrap are available, although sometimes more expensive than the U.S. (Some apartments have large freezers.) Glass, plastic, or steel canisters are convenient for storing food stuffs. Some items are sold in reusable containers, but a good supply of Tupperware-type containers is very handy. Some local paper products are acceptable, especially joint venture products. Some satisfactory feminine hygiene supplies are sold locally; including Western brands, but they tend to be expensive and are in small-quantity packages.

Bring party favors, cocktail napkins, gift wrap and ribbon, and shelf paper. Also bring picnic gear and supplies.

A scale (pounds/kilos) is helpful if you buy much of your food on the local market. Supermarket packages have weights in kilograms printed on the labels.

Basic sewing supplies are available, but the quality and range of colors for items like buttons, zippers, and thread can be poor. If you sew or plan to have things made, a basic supply or contact for ordering supplies can be useful, especially if you have favorite brands. Local yarn is not good for needlepoint but is nice for crocheting and knitting. If you bring a sewing machine, bring extra needles, bobbins, belts, etc.

Artists’ supplies are available and inexpensive, but again, you may prefer to bring your own favorite brands. Watercolors, poster paints, and some oils can be found, but few acrylics are available here. Brushes are excellent, but not usually for oil work.

Bottled water and some groceries can be delivered to your apartment from various sources.

Internet or catalog shopping for English-language books, videos, coffee, clothing, spices, and other items is popular.

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 12/10/2003 12:32 AM

There are many hotel and joint-venture company laundry and dry-cleaning facilities. Service is usually good.

Professional carpet cleaners are available locally at moderate cost and are used by some because of the extraordinary amount of dust and pollution in the air.

Although most personnel prefer to replenish wardrobes during a visit to the U.S., good tailoring and dressmaking can be done locally. Tailors can copy clothes from pictures or favorite clothing items, and with a fitting session or two, they can produce good results. Good silk, wool, linen, blended suit fabric, and brocades (inexpensive by U.S. standards) are available, but cotton, men’s shirt, and wash-and-wear fabrics can be hard to find and should be brought from the U.S. Most people have been pleased with the clothes they have had made here.

Men’s barbers and women’s beauticians are located in separate establishments, hotels, and at the International Club. Professional hair coloring is available. Prices vary.

Shoe repair shops can be found on Wangfujing, the downtown shopping street, at other small establishments sprinkled around town, and at the Lido Hotel, a half-hour’s drive from the Embassy.

There are an increasing number of quick photo-developing shops springing up around Beijing. Film, including APS film, can be developed locally. The quality of the prints and slides is good. One-hour service is available for normal 35mm film processing and reprinting and is not expensive by U.S. standards. APS film takes about 2 days to develop, since it is sent to a central processing factory. Some mail-order film developing services are quite good but they take time. Film is available at the Duty-Free Shop and at various department stores and hotels.

Electrical appliances can sometimes be repaired, but depending on the type of repair or equipment, this can be difficult. Shop personnel are not likely to speak English and may not be familiar with the product. Some people have had TVs, VCRs, and stereo equipment successfully repaired at reasonable rates.

Several car service shops are available but can be limited in spare parts, diagnostic equipment, and knowledge of more sophisticated car systems. New tires are available from Good Year. There is a car rental company, but you must have a Chinese driver’s license. See Transportation Section for more car repair service information.

Express mail service is offered by FedEx, EMS, and DHL-Sinotrans. Telephone calling card services are offered by AT&T and GlobalPhone.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 12/10/2003 1:52 PM

Domestic help is available, but quality varies. Most domestic employees do not speak English. While some employees are still hired through the Diplomatic Services Bureau, many employees now make their own private arrangements for domestic help. This is not without risk, however, since Chinese authorities posted outside the diplomatic housing units periodically become more aggressive in conducting identification checks and other forms of harassment to keep non-DSB domestic workers out of the compounds. The DSB (and reportedly FESCO) is willing, however, to “enroll” a privately-hired domestic worker so that the worker can receive documentation necessary to get past the gate guards. For the current situation, please contact the CLO. Help can be hired on a full-time or part-time basis, and often single employees or couples with no children will share an ayi (pronounced AH-YEE). A full-time DSB ayi costs about $250 a month, and a cook about $400. (Generally, if you hire a cook you will need an ayi to clean up after the cook as well.) Some ayis can do a little cooking as well, such as making dumplings (jiaozi). This needs to be negotiated with the ayi during the employment interview. DSB ayis may request subsidies for purchase of their noon meal, and/or work clothing. For large parties or official functions, cooks or waiters can be hired from the International Club or the DSB on an hourly basis.

DCMs generally find that a cook, waiter, and ayi are necessary. Section chiefs, and some other personnel, find a cook and/or an ayi desirable. Almost all find an ayi useful. The main responsibility of the ayi is to look after small children. Some are willing to assist with housework or do light cooking.

Full-time domestics work a 40-hour week, 8-hour week days. A 1-hour lunch and rest period is given. Cooks prepare only two meals, and, if they work late in the evening, they may request compensatory time off the following day as well as overtime. Their repertoires are usually limited.

Catering service is available through the International Club, some hotels, the occasional local restaurant, and from expatriate caterers who work on a freelance basis.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 12/10/2003 1:53 PM

Catholic Mass is offered in English every Saturday evening at the Canadian Embassy and in Spanish every Sunday at the Philippine Embassy. A Catholic Mass is offered Sunday morning at two Chinese cathedrals in Beijing; the churches are independent of Rome, and some services are in Latin.

Nondenominational Protestant services in English are also held here. Beijing International Christian Fellowship services are held at the Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center Sunday mornings. Sunday school for ages 4 through high school meets during the fellowship hour. Congregation of the Good Shepherd meets every Sunday morning at the Capital Club, Capital Mansion. There is Sunday school for children and fellowship activities. Most Chinese Protestant Church services are in Chinese.

Muslim services are offered in Arabic and Chinese at three Beijing Mosques.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds services every Sunday morning at Capital Mansion, 4th floor.

Jewish services are held every Friday evening at the Capital Club, Capital Mansion.

Informal Christian Science meetings are also held.

Other groups meet in people’s homes. There is a women’s Bible study group that meets at the Lido Hotel on Thursdays and a BICF Men’s fellowship group, with monthly and weekly meetings. Contact the National Spiritual Assembly of Baha’i in the U.S. before you arrive to find a contact in China.

There are a number of working Buddhist Temples in Beijing.

Information on religious services is available from American Citizen Services or CLO, American Embassy or through the American Community Club.

Education

Dependent Education Last Updated: 12/10/2003 1:59 PM

With the rapid growth of the foreign community, Beijing has experienced a deficit of educational opportunities for children, especially in the upper grades. Fortunately, this has not affected Embassy children who are granted priority status at the International School of Beijing (ISB), which is attended by Embassy children.

Most offer ISB preschool through high school grades. Please be aware that ISB accepts students only with very mild learning disabilities that can be met with minor modifications to instruction within the regular curriculum and only after testing and evaluation as to whether ISB can meet the student’s needs. Beijing has several other schools. A number of families have children in WAB, Western Academy of Beijing, which provides education for grades prekindergarten through 8. As in the case of ISB, WAB accepts students with mild learning disabilities but it is a good idea to contact the school in advance to determine if they can meet your child’s needs. Another English-language school based on American and British curriculums is BISS, Beijing BISS International School, through grade 12.

Bilingual schools include the Beijing Yew Chung International School (BIS), which uses a British-based curriculum (K-form one to 13 years of age), and NSCL, the New School of Collaborative Learning (PreK–10).

There are also Japanese, French, German, Indian, Pakistani, Scandinavian, and other nationalities’ schools. Parents with particular interest in these schools may contact the CLO.

There is also a choice in preschools ranging from the American Community Preschool (ACP) on the Embassy grounds to various English-speaking preschools, such as the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) to the Beihai You’er Yuan preschool, where only Chinese is spoken. If you desire the full Chinese experience for your child, you may want to consider two schools—Fang Cao Di Elementary School and Middle School No. 55—which have sections specifically designed for foreign students. These programs often have limitations on enrollment capacity (i.e., one foreigner per classroom at Beihai). Other preschools are located in the Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center, Lido Hotel, Asian Games Village. Please do not wait until arrival at post to inquire. For more information, consult the OBC China boxes, CLO, or contact schools directly:

International School of Beijing: Building #7, Lido Complex Ji Chang Road, Jiang Tai Road Beijing 100004 The People’s Republic of China Tel: (86–10)–6437–6688, ext.1242 Fax: (86–10)–6437–6989 ISB web site: www.isb.bj.edu.cn E-mail: admissions@isb.bj.edu.cn, Also isb-info@isb.bj.edu.cn

The International School of Beijing (ISB), founded by the Embassies of the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada in 1980, offers classes from prekindergarten (PreK 4-year-old) through grade 12. The ISB is a fully accredited, private, nonsectarian, coeducational, American curriculum, college preparatory day school. ISB also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, with a 2-year preuniversity course of studies. The ISB is constructing a new campus in the suburbs to the northeast of Beijing and plans to relocate for the 2001–2002 academic year. Contact the CLO or the school directly for updates.

Western Academy of Beijing: 7 A Bei Si Huan Dong Road Chao Yang District Beijing 100015 The People’s Republic of China Tel: (86–10)–6437–7295/6/7 Fax: (86–10)–6437–5936 WAB web site: www.wab.edu E-mail: wabinfo@ns.wab.senet.gov.cn E-mail: admissions@ns.wab.senet.gov.cn

Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), provides education for grades prekindergarten through 8. WAB is a fully accredited, independent, not-for-profit, coeducational day school, which opened in 1994.

Beijing BISS International School Anzhen Xili, Area 4, Bldg. 17 Chaoyang District Beijing 100029 The People’s Republic of China Tel.; (86–10) 6443–3151/3152/3153 Fax: 6433–3156 BISS web site: www.biss.com.cn E-mail: admissions@biss.com.cn

BISS, with the support of its parent school, the ISS International School Singapore, provides coeducational preschool to grade 12 through an integrated American and British curriculum. BISS, established in 1994, has an IB program.

Beijing Yew Chung International School (BIS) Honglingjin Park No. 5 Houbalizhuang Chaoyang District Beijing 100025 The People’s Republic of China Tel.: (86 100 6594–1731 Fax: (86 10) 6594–1734 BIS web site: www.ycef.com E-mail: ycbis@public.bta.net.cn

BIS, a bilingual British-based curriculum school, provides education for children from ages 3 to 14 years.

New School of Collaborative Learning (NSCL): Shangdi XiluWest Road Haidian District Beijing The People’s Republic of China Tel.: 6298–5758; 6298–1620 Fax: (8610) 6532–4296, 6298–20 NSCL web site: www.erols.com/xischina/nscl.htm E-mail: nscl@netchina.com.cn

NSCL, a bilingual school with grades K–10, shares a campus with a local Chinese elementary school. In 1998, enrollment was 46 students.

Contact the American Employees Association, American Embassy, Beijing for more information on:

American Community Pre-School (ACP) and American Embassy, Er Ban AEA Tel.: (86 10) 6532-3831, ext. 5423 AEA Fax: (86 10) 6532–2483 E-mail: aeabej@eastnet.com.cn.

Children’s House (Montessori Kindergarten): China World Trade Center South Lodge, Level 1 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie Chaoyang District Beijing 100004 The People’s Republic of China Tel.: 6505–3869/2288, ext. 1299 Fax: 6505–5457

There are two locations for the Montessori school. For children 20 months to 6 years old:

International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) MSB Sanlitun Campus and Offices: 7 Sanlitun Beixiaojie Chaoyang District Beijing 100027 The People’s Republic of China Campus and office: Tel.: 6532–6713/4518 Fax: 6532–6997 E-mail: montessoribj@attmail.com

For children 2 to 9 years old, preK to grade 3.

The Beijing Lufthansa Center Campus Chaoyang District Beijing 100016 The People’s Republic of China Campus Tel.: (86 10) 6465–3388, ext. 4477

Note: For further information about schools, please contact the CLO or the Office of Overseas Schools:

DOS Office of Overseas Schools (DOS) website:www.state.gov/www/ about_state/schools/ E-mail regarding East Asia Schools, Carl L. Bentz at bentzcl2@ state.gov.

For parents of children with special needs: There is an informal parents’ support network for families of children with disabilities, including contacts for special services available in Beijing such as speech therapy, physical/physiotherapy, psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational assessment, and dentistry. Contact CLO for current information.

Education

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:00 PM

A number of interested dependents in Beijing have arranged to study the Chinese language and culture, including traditional arts and music at local institutions and universities or in classes in homes. Occasionally American universities offer U.S.-led extension courses in Beijing, such as Rutgers’ MBA program.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:06 PM

China presents limited participant sports and recreational opportunities. The Embassy has an indoor heated swimming pool that opens onto a patio in summer, a sauna, a basketball/tennis court, and a simple children’s playground. The Embassy holds frequent pick-up volleyball, basketball, and softball games and sometimes schedules international matches.

The Beijing Sports & Recreation Council, an expatriate volunteer organization, works with the schools to offer youth football, little league baseball, swimming teams, ice hockey (youth and adult), roller hockey, Boy Scouts, girls’ winter basketball league, ponytail league girls’ softball, girls’ badminton (E-mail: expatsportrec@hotmail.com), and more as volunteer availability permits.

Cycling, hiking, tennis, bowling, golf, and ice skating are enjoyed by some. Several private tennis clubs have both indoor and outdoor (lighted) tennis courts with varying hourly fees. Local tennis equipment is adequate.

Biking is a very popular mode of transportation in Beijing. Members of the diplomatic community find cycling a convenient way to exercise and sightsee at the same time. Chinese bicycles are heavy and have simple gears, but are sturdily made and comfortable, and some people use them to commute to work. An increasing variety of made-for-export mountain bicycles and accessories are available at about 50% of the cost in the U.S. Since Beijing is flat, gears are not really necessary, but bicycles with gears have their advantages, especially for bike trips outside the city or on windy days. Imported bikes are more subject to theft, both within the diplomatic compounds and outside, so a good locking system is highly recommended.

Sports facilities include several golf courses close to Beijing (45 minutes–1 hour away). The cost is moderate to expensive. Not far from the Embassy is a putting range. There are roughly 6 weeks of ice skating in Beijing every year, with outdoor, unimproved rinks at the Summer Palace and Beihai Park; bring skates and equipment if you like to skate. A new ski center on the west side of town offers an artificial ski slope with skiing, snow boarding, go-cart center, mini golf range. Putt-Putt mini golf has also opened downtown. A children’s swimming club is available at the Sino-Japanese Pool through the International School’s sponsored program. Other facilities include a paintball shooting range, gun and archery shooting ranges, horseback riding, skateboarding, scuba diving at a local Underwater World, hang-gliding, rock-climbing, bungee jumping, and more.

Embassy employees play intramural volleyball and frequently organize a spring/summer softball team, which plays teams from other embassies and joint-venture companies. The Latins, Europeans, and Africans have cobbled together a soccer league, which Americans can join. There is a group of Hash House Harriers, a dart league, and a bridge group. A bowling league plays once a week and from September through June at the Lido Hotel.

Spectator sports in Beijing include basketball, volleyball, Ping-pong, badminton, football (soccer), gymnastics, and hockey, but tickets are very hard to get. They become available sporadically through the DSB for contests between Chinese teams and visiting foreign teams held at local gyms and at the Worker’s Stadium.

Health clubs are available in many of the better hotels, including facilities such as indoor swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, a range of aerobics equipment and weight machines, and sauna, steambath, and locker facilities. Membership fees vary, as does the equipment or facilities in each club, but there is generally something for everyone, from the hard-core to the occasional club-goer, in terms of facility and budget.

Dance, music, and exercise classes are offered around town at schools, health clubs, hotels, and sometimes in the Embassy.

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:07 PM

Sightseeing in and around Beijing and the rest of the P.R.C. is one of the favorite activities at post. The CLO usually offers one or two trips/events a month to sites around Beijing, guided shopping tours, or cultural events. The CLO organizes two or three trips per year to other cities-such as Inner Mongolia, Xiamen, Tianjin, Guilin, Qingdao, Yunnan, etc.

Private groups also offer sightseeing, but arrangements are often difficult. For a variety of reasons—the language barrier, frequent delays, logistical difficulties—travel in China is a real adventure, more fun to accomplish in groups than on your own. Fortunately, there are many fascinating sights in the P.R.C., which make the challenge of travel worth the effort, but travel is rarely relaxing or restful. For R&R, Embassy personnel usually head off to other Asian destinations of interest or back to the U.S. or Canada.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:08 PM

There are lots of interesting activities going on all over Beijing—symphonies, operas, acrobats, theater groups, sporting events. However, hearing about events in time and obtaining tickets is difficult. They often are not publicized ahead of time, or ticket distribution is unknown. On the other hand, tickets are sometimes provided to the Embassy at no cost or very low cost and distributed through CLO to interested employees. When information for popular events is available, sometimes the CLO can organize a group outing and purchase tickets. Those who have special interests, such as the Peking Opera or symphony, are willing to spend the time and effort to obtain tickets.

Popular activities include visiting local aquariums, a craft center geared for kids, parks around town, and then there is Camp Adventure in the summer organized by the American Embassy Employees Association. There is a Chinese film series (with English subtitles) with weekly showings at a hotel in the northeast part of town.

Home videos are popular for family entertainment. Sources are the Locker rotational video program and video library and by ordering videos from the U.S.

Bars and nightclubs feature local rock bands, and Karaoke clubs are also located throughout the city.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:10 PM

Social clubs and organizations exist for various purposes in Beijing. The Beijing International Society (BIS web page: www.wayx.com/bis) aims to present programs and offer outings to its expatriate English-speaking members about Chinese culture. Organized by the American business community, the American Community Club’s primary mission is to foster togetherness through social, cultural activities, and charity work. Their monthly publication is The Peking Post. The International Newcomers Network (INN), a more informal group, meets monthly to hear speakers on various topics geared toward surviving well in Beijing for the expatriate.

Other informal groups exist for more specific purposes: the International Communicators Network; the Professional Women’s Network; the Peking Players (amateur theatrical group); the Beijing Foreign Healthcare Network; and others.

Embassy staff members are usually very busy with activities after-hours related to their work. Spouses are typically not invited to business functions, including on the Chinese side. Within the Embassy and with other social contacts in the American and diplomatic community, invitations to each other’s houses are common. Dining out in groups is even more popular at the many good Chinese and other restaurants. The CLO often arranges weekend day-time outings (usually on rented buses or vans with participants sharing in the costs), where staff members and families can go out into the nearby countryside to see the local sights.

The Embassy’s Bar Ban facility is usually open every other Friday night using volunteer bartenders, which provides a few hours of socializing time after work, over softdrinks, beer, wine, and popcorn. Occasionally, this is also the venue for theme parties organized by the American Employees Association. The Marines sometimes sponsor Friday night parties as well in the Marine House.

Official Functions

Nature of Functions Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:13 PM

The Chinese pay strict attention to rank order, seating arrangements, and motorcade sequence. Banquets and other social functions are meticulously programmed and carefully managed. Officers can expect to be invited to banquets whenever important American groups in their areas are in town. Spouses are frequently, however, left out of normal working lunches or dinners because Chinese officials tend to keep their official and private lives much more separate than Americans, and do not choose to bring their spouses.

Official Functions

Standards of Social Conduct Last Updated: 12/10/2003 2:13 PM

Calling cards, generally printed in both English and Chinese, are available locally. Calling cards are particularly useful, since locations and telephone numbers of foreign Embassies and Consulates General are not readily available to most Chinese. It is standard practice to exchange cards at every introduction in both official and unofficial settings.

For personnel in representational positions, invitation cards are used extensively. Printed cards are available in Beijing.

Consulate General - Chengdu

Post City Last Updated: 4/12/2004 10:54 PM

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan, one of China’s most populous provinces, and the traditional center of Southwest China. The Chengdu consular district is made up of the Provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, as well as the Tibet Autonomous Region and Chongqing City Municipality.

Chengdu serves as the air hub of Southwest China, with air service to all major Chinese cities, being between a 2- and 3-hour flight to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Lhasa. There are daily flights to Hong Kong, as well as twice-weekly service to Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul.

Chengdu’s climate can politely be described as cloudy and moist. The spring and autumn periods are the most pleasant, with warm days and cool nights. Summers are hot and humid, similar to that of Washington, D.C. Winters are cool, even chilly, although snow is very rare in the Sichuan Basin. Winter nights often merge imperceptibly into foggy, gray days, with visibility further reduced by smog, much as in 19th-century London. The near-perpetual winter overcast can result in ennui and depression. This condition is attributable to Chengdu’s location in the Sichuan Basin, one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions. Pollution, caused primarily by the burning of coal in winter, is also an irritant.

Chengdu has been a governmental and cultural center since at least 400 B.C.E., undergoing numerous name changes during the course of its long history. During the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.–C.E. 220), it was known as the “City of Brocade,” becoming so prosperous that it gained the nickname “Storehouse of Heaven.”Under the Five Dynasties (C.E. 907–960), the local warlord planted so much hibiscus on the city walls (since destroyed) that it was known as the “City of Hibiscus.” Present-day Chengdu has a population of about 4 million. A great deal of new and unimaginative tile-faced, high-rise construction has been done over the past few years, as is the case with most of China’s cities. Nonetheless, the city retains a great deal of charm, with several nice city parks and areas where old-style buildings have remained. In Chengdu’s alleys, one can amble for hours, on foot or bicycle, going from small shop to small shop. Several important historical sites are well preserved and open to the public. The city remains a great place for biking, with major roads reserving special lanes for bicycles.

Chengdu’s role as a regional center of government, transportation, and culture, as well as of electronics and other industries, has brought increasing numbers of foreigners. Sichuan is slowly attracting American investment, much of it in the form of joint ventures. New hotels and restaurants are opening up to accommodate the increasing tourist trade. Chengdu airport has daily direct flights to Tibet, and many foreign tourists pass through the city on their way to Lhasa. Numerous Americans living in the Chengdu area work primarily as English teachers or study Chinese at local universities.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 4/12/2004 10:58 PM

The American Consulate General at Chengdu opened on October 16, 1985. On August 2, 1993, the Consulate General completed its move from the Jinjiang Hotel to its new facility just south of the city center. The new compound consists of a large office building, a residential building containing 12 apartments (two-, three-, and four-bedroom units), and a four-bedroom consul general’s residence. The compound has a swimming pool and tennis court. Children enjoy the playground equipment situated in a large grassy area within the compound. Twenty American direct-hire employees are on the Consulate General staff: consul general, consul general office management specialist, consular, administrative, political, economic, public affairs, communications, GSO and FMS officers, as well as one commercial officer. About 70 Chinese employees are on staff. The Peace Corps started operations in China for the first time in the summer of 1993 and are limited to Sichuan. The country director and 12 staff are based in Chengdu, while 44 volunteers are posted at various sites throughout the province.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:01 PM

Most new arrivals are settled immediately into permanent quarters upon or shortly after arrival at post. In the event that permanent quarters are not available at the time of your arrival, you may be placed either in a temporary apartment or in a hotel until your quarters are ready. Should it be necessary to house you and your family in a hotel, temporary quarters subsistence allowance (TQSA) will be provided.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:04 PM

About 2/3 of and their families are housed in the six-story apartment building. It has two 2-bedroom, six 3-bedroom, and four 4-bedroom units. Each apartment has a living/dining room, kitchen, laundry room, balcony, and two full bathrooms. Some units have additional large balconies ideal for dining al fresco under the stars (or, more commonly, clouds).

The Consul General and the rest of the employees live off compound in the China Garden's (Zhong Hua Yuan) neighborhood, a short fifteen minute walk from the Consulate. China Garden's is conveniently located near both international schools and shopping. Housing at China Garden's ranges from townhouses to apartments.

Housing assignments are made on the basis of position, rank, family size, and whenever possible, employee's preference.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:05 PM

Furnishings include: furniture for living room, dining room, bedrooms, gas stove and range, refrigerator, full-size freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washer, dryer, vacuum cleaner, water distiller, air filters, and transformers.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:06 PM

Electricity is 220v, 50 cycles. Outlets are designed for Australian-style, three-prong plugs. Post will replace plugs on 220v appliances if desired. Post supplies a limited number of transformers for use with 110v appliances. Bring whatever small appliances you are accustomed to. If at all possible, bring a multisystem TV (China uses the PAL-D 625 line system) or buy a television locally. Satellite TV stations from Hong Kong and other points in East Asia and AFN are received on the compound. Each apartment is equipped with a direct-line phone and a Consulate General extension phone. Monthly telephone rates are reasonable, and AT&T, MCI, Sprint, and other calling cards may be used for calls to the U.S. for less than Chinese rates. Telephone connection to the U.S. from Chengdu is generally reliable.

Food Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:11 PM

Chengdu is acknowledged as the center of authentic Sichuan cuisine, although Chongqing, which has its own cooking style, disputes that assertion. A number of good local restaurants and countless xiaochi or traditional snack restaurants exist. The major tourist hotels have Western restaurants. McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken have opened numerous franchises in town. In addition, there are several locally owned Western restaurants near the Consulate offering Western fare ranging from Tex-Mex to pasta.

The ever-expanding retail trade has brought an increasing number of canned and dry goods onto the market, most produced in China. There is no commissary at post and while there are more and more western goods available in Chengdu, the selection is still very limited.

Examples of available products include Nescafe and Maxwell House instant coffee, granulated sugar, non-iodized salt, powdered milk, fresh milk, Nabisco Brand cookies and crackers, peanut butter, jams, Pringles' potato chips, cereals, granola, raisin bran. Procter & Gamble detergents, shampoos, Colgate and Crest brand toothpastes and cleaning supplies are also available. Dairy products are becoming available including yogurt, milk (occasionally including skim milk), and some cheese. Butter and ice cream are also widely available. Infant supplies are more readily available, but expensive and still limited in variety. It is advised to include baby supplies, formula, and food in your consumables shipment. As a general rule, if there are certain brands or products you cannot do without, ship them. Gourmet spices, baking supplies, sauces, special detergents, cosmetics and toiletries are often included in consumable shipments.

Clothing Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:12 PM

Clothing and shoes are available at both small stores and large department stores, although generally not in large sizes. Include a variety of clothing and shoes in your initial shipment of effects. This can be supplemented by catalog orders. Bring a pair or two of long underwear. Although winter temperatures are not extreme, it is nonetheless a damp and penetrating cold. Most public buildings do not have heat, and the Chinese customarily leave windows open during the winter. The hot, humid summers make it necessary to bring an adequate supply of light cotton clothing and shorts.

Clothing can be made inexpensively at local tailors.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:35 AM

Some Western hair-care items, toothpaste, and other toiletries are available. You will probably want to include your favorite brands of toiletries, cosmetics, laundry detergent, and household cleaning products in your consumables shipment. Some U.S. brands of laundry detergent are available. Other locally produced cleaning supplies are readily obtainable.

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:35 AM

Barber and beauty facilities are adequate both in hotels and in town. Simple and inexpensive shoe repair is available. Personnel have used local tailors/dressmakers with varying results. Small neighborhood dry-cleaning establishments are everywhere and do an adequate job at cheap rates. Both color prints and slides can be developed locally, although slide film is often difficult to find.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:13 PM

Non-English-speaking maids and cooks are easily obtained. Full-time maids are currently paid about $120 a month.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:36 AM

Chengdu has two Protestant churches and one Chinese Catholic cathedral. All services are generally conducted in Chinese. Mass is said in Latin. Chengdu has one new mosque (replacing a lovely 330-year old mosque destroyed by the city government in 1998), but no synagogue. Numerous Buddhist and Taoist temples were closed during the Cultural Revolution but are now open again. Wen Shu Yuan, a Buddhist temple, and Qing Yang Gong, which is Taoist, are thronged on auspicious days. The teahouses on the grounds of these temples are fun places to lounge and enjoy the renao (general hubbub).

Education Last Updated: 4/12/2004 11:14 PM

There is a small international school in Chengdu for kindergarten through grade 8. Consulate General preschoolers have attended local Chinese kindergartens with good results. Some older children have used Calvert home-study correspondence courses and other similar programs. The school situation is fluid, as the international school may add higher grades according to demand.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:37 AM

The new compound has both a tennis court, used year-round, and a swimming pool, available May through September. A basketball half-court is located in the parking lot. Basketball and soccer are both popular in Chengdu, and the Consulate General has played against Chinese teams in friendly rivalry in the past.

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:38 AM

Most people ride bicycles, both for practical and recreational purposes. Within Chengdu, a bicycle is actually more convenient than a car. Bring safe child seats and bike helmets to post. Some sights, such as the Du Fu Thatched Cottage, make for a nice cycling outing. Basic one-speed bikes and tricycles, as well as multispeed, export-standard mountain bikes, are all available at reasonable prices.

Sights of tourist interest within several hours’ drive are Emei Shan, Le Shan (the world’s largest stone Buddha), and the Wolong Panda reserve. Mountainous western Sichuan is largely Tibetan in culture and well worth visiting if you are up for a long bus ride. Yunnan and Guizhou provinces are home to many diverse minority groups amidst stunning rural scenery. UNESCO has declared Lijiang town in Yunnan, a Naxi-minority warren of timber and stone buildings, a world heritage site. Huangguoshu Waterfalls in Guizhou is the highest waterfall in China. Tibet, which is also part of Chengdu Consular district, contains not only a unique culture, but towering peaks and vast upland plateaus inhabited only by nomads.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:38 AM

Those who come to Chengdu should be capable of entertaining themselves, although there is also quite an active social scene. Coffee shops, teahouses, and bars often feature live music, all within walking distance of the Consulate General. Popular Chinese pop stars frequently visit Chengdu and play to enthusiastic audiences. Professional and amateur sporting events, such as basketball and soccer, are popular. Chengdu boasts both indoor and outdoor go-cart courses, and there are dozens of bowling alleys.

Opportunities to view local cultural events include Sichuan opera. Consulate General personnel can often be found spending an evening at one or another of the thousands of small restaurants in town that dish up Sichuan food. Bicycling is a good way to explore the city’s neighborhoods and get into the near countryside.

Official Functions Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:39 AM

See Beijing.

Business Cards. Business cards with English on one side and Chinese (including your Chinese name) on the other are a must in both business and social circumstances. They can be obtained in Chengdu within a few days, and the quality is good.

Special Information Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:39 AM

Transportation

In reversal from previous years, 5 out of 6 employees have privately owned vehicles at post. The new compound is just outside the city center, so cars are now used for daily activities in addition to special trips out of town. Since parking spaces in the city are limited, some employees still find it more convenient to ride a bicycle into town (bike parking is plentiful). The number of roads leading out of town that are open to vehicles with consular tags has increased, but there are other roads that are off-limits.

No restrictions exist on the type of vehicles that may be imported. Chengdu has adequate facilities for simple repairs on most vehicles; both GM and FORD have representative offices as well as Japanese automakers. Parts for Toyotas (and its U.S. counterpart the GeoPrizim) are available though expensive. Due to limited inventories, parts may have to be ordered, taking several weeks to arrive. Post suggests that you bring a supply of various filters and other parts you may need for your vehicle during your tour.

Consulate General - Guangzhou

Post City Last Updated: 7/18/2005 1:57 AM

Well-known as Canton, Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is the southern gateway to China and the largest city in this vital agricultural and commercial region. Being one of the 14 open coastal cities—granted a high degree of economic autonomy in China under its “Open Door” policy, Guangzhou is one of the most prosperous cities in China, as well as an important seaport of foreign trade. China’s well-known twice-yearly Chinese Export Commodities Fair, the largest of its kind, is held here every spring and fall. It is also an interesting city, with nearly 3,000 years of history.

Located in the northern Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou is 1,150 miles south of Beijing and only 82 miles northwest of Hong Kong. On about the same latitude as Havana, Cuba, Guangzhou has an average annual temperature of 72ºF. August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 82ºF, and January, with an average of 55ºF, is the coolest. The rainy season is from March to late May, during which time about 80% of the yearly rainfall occurs.

The area of Guangzhou Municipality (including the outlying Huangpu district and the four nearby counties of Huaxian, Zengcheng, Conghua, and Panyu) totals over 4,500 square miles, with a population of 6,000,000. The city proper has an area of 21 square miles and a population of 2,200,000. The city is cut through horizontally by the Pearl River, and during recent years, Guangzhou’s residential and industrial complex has greatly expanded, particularly south of the river and east of the city, Tian He District, where most of the skyscrapers in the city have been built. The surrounding Pearl River Delta is a fertile agricultural region, supporting two yearly rice crops. In addition to rice, the agricultural mainstays are jute, sugarcane, wheat, fruits, vegetables, oil-producing plants, pigs, chickens, ducks, and fish.

The principal heavy industries include tool manufacturing, shipbuilding, sugar-refining equipment manufacturing, cement production, chemical processing, light industrial machinery manufacturing, and steel production. Honda has an auto assembly plant in a suburb of Guangzhou. Light industry includes food-processing, textile and woodenware production, and furniture-making.

Guangzhou is the best place for Cantonese food in China, with its bustling food markets and busy restaurants, which are a big part of the Guangzhou street scene. Cantonese cuisine is renowned, and restaurants, both local and Western, are packed daily with patrons. Free markets thrive, and the Friendship Stores are popular with local residents as well as with foreigners. Recently, several new upscale shopping malls and supermarkets have opened up around the city. Brightly decorated store fronts, brisk trading in local markets, pedestrians dressed in bright colors, and the lush green of the surrounding countryside contribute to the lively atmosphere of this prosperous subtropical city in South China.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:42 AM

The Consulate General was officially opened on August 31, 1979. The post performs the full range of consular functions and currently has 37 American staff members. At present, State Department offices occupy the entire 14-story tower adjacent to the White Swan Hotel, on the banks of the Pearl River. The offices of the consul general and the Consular, Economic, Political, and Administrative Sections occupy the first four floors. Staff housing is located on the remaining floors.

The Public Affairs Section is located in the Garden Hotel, which is about a 20- minute drive away. Their local address is:

Public Affairs Section Consulate General of the United States Garden Hotel Huanshi Dong Rd. Guangzhou, P.R.C. Tel. 86 20 8333–8999 ext 7351

Shamian Island, where the post is located, once flourished as a 44-acre (18- hectare) international enclave in the second half of the last century. European merchants had for many years established warehouses and offices in an area they called Canton. The island rapidly became a bustling township, as trading companies from Great Britain, the U.S., France, Holland, and others built stone mansions along the waterfront. In recent years, the island has resumed much of its old character. Many of the colonial buildings have been restored; the Catholic and Protestant churches have reopened; and a park with shady walks has created an area ideal for morning tai chi exercises.

The White Swan Hotel, where the Consulate Tower is located, is linked to the city by a 635-meter causeway. It is about a 30-minute drive from the Guangzhou Train Station (East) and a 30-minute taxi ride from Baiyun International Airport. The White Swan is about 20 minutes by car from the Garden Hotel, where the Public Affairs Section is located. And it is about a 15-minute drive to the China Hotel, a major office center, where the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) and the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) are located. FCS and FAS are on the 14th floor of the China Hotel Office Tower. Their addresses are, respectively:

United States Foreign Commercial Service China Hotel Office Tower, 14/F Liu Hua Lu, Guangzhou, P.R.C. Tel. (86–20) 8667 4011

United States Foreign Agriculture Service China Hotel Office Tower, 14/F Liu Hua Lu, Guangzhou, P.R.C. Tel. (86–20) 8667 7553

FPO mail from the U.S. takes at least 10–14 days. The State Department requires posts with FPO privileges to use the FPO to send and receive mail. See addresses listed in the Communications section.

Note: For dependents receiving mail, their name should appear on the first line, followed immediately below by the full name of the employee and the rest of the address. This is particularly important in cases of different surnames. When using the FPO be sure to include the 0002 in the ZIP code.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:42 AM

Currently, all direct-hire Americans and their families are located in the Consulate Tower.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:43 AM

All apartments are furnished. The furniture is high-quality rosewood, purchased locally. The dining area contains a rectangular table with six or eight chairs, china cabinet, and buffet-server. Most apartments have built-in closets, though storage space is often inadequate, especially for families. Each apartment has at least one desk with chair. The master bedroom has large chests of drawers, night tables, and a queen-size mattress and box spring provided by the Consulate General. Currently, at least one queen-sized bed is supplied for each family. Other bedrooms have one or two twin beds each. All apartments have drapes with sheers, lamps, and wall-to-wall carpeting. Most of the two-bedroom apartments have 1½ baths and a laundry room. These units have a small but newly renovated galley kitchen with adequate counter and cabinet space and a pleasant view.

The three-bedroom apartments have three full baths, laundry room, and maid’s shower. Some have a large kitchen with a table and four chairs. The kitchen window (144” x 56”) has a louvered shade. Most apartments have a small pantry area with utility shelves.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:44 AM

The apartments are all electric and the current is 220v, 50-cycle. All apartments have new GE appliances, such as washer/dryer, dishwasher, frost-free refrigerator, and microwave. The larger apartments have small second refrigerators. Each apartment has at least two large-capacity transformers.

Food Last Updated: 7/18/2005 2:06 AM

Guangzhou is the home of Cantonese food. A wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats is available most of the year. The local markets and delicatessen shops in the hotels have a moderate selection of packaged foods. Fresh milk (USDA standard), ice cream, cheese, breads, and cold cuts, though somewhat expensive, are of good quality. In addition, a number of Hong Kong- and Japan-based supermarket chain stores have opened in Guangzhou, providing a large variety of Western and oriental food products. Gaps can be filled by shopping the many supermarkets in Hong Kong; or by Internet orders shipped via FPO.

Environmental pollution and public sanitation are problems in Guangzhou. Pay strict attention to washing all fruits and vegetables. Guangzhou offers a fairly wide variety of vegetables, and the produce is organically grown without the use of night soil, so it does not have to be soaked in a sterilizing solution. Most employees distill their drinking water or buy bottled water.

Clothing Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:45 AM

Because the climate of Guangzhou is very hot and humid much of the year, lightweight natural-fiber garments and shoes are highly recommended. Cottons, silks, and lightweight suiting are ideal. During the cooler, rainier months, the high humidity can make for a penetrating damp, and a sweater is often needed, or even a heavy jacket at night. Rainwear is essential. Cold-weather wear, including a heavy overcoat, is necessary for anyone traveling to Beijing from October to March, for business or pleasure. At the office, standard business suits or dresses are worn. Entertaining is generally informal and dress is casual. For sports and traveling, dress is like that in any other part of the world. Bring any special sports clothing you may need.

Buying shoes and clothing on the local market is not as difficult as it used to be for foreigners, since famous American brands like Nike all have stores here. Sizes tend to be smaller than the average American frame though, and styles are cut quite narrow. Fabric is available. Many employees have found tailors who can make Western suits and dresses. The workmanship is good and very inexpensive. Children’s clothes are readily available. Shopping in Hong Kong is also an option for Consulate General employees, and bargains can occasionally be found there too. Some families order clothing for their growing children from U.S. outlets such as Sears or J.C. Penney.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:46 AM

Household cleaning products, laundry soap, and paper products are all available locally at supermarkets, or the Hong Kong-based Watson’s drugstore. Cosmetics, shampoo, and such can be purchased locally or in Hong Kong, though brands or types may be unfamiliar.

The best rule of thumb on any of these consumable products is to ship an adequate supply if you prefer a particular brand or style of product.

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:48 AM

Dry-cleaning facilities are available at the White Swan and at all other major hotels. All provide an acceptable quality of service. Barber and beauty shops are readily available. Service is good and prices are reasonable.

Some good shoe repair can be done locally, and extremely difficult repairs are easily handled in Hong Kong. Most picture-framing and printing jobs can be done in Guangzhou. Repair of most equipment and appliances, such as cameras and television sets, must be done in Hong Kong. Most brands of 135 color print film can be purchased and processed at local outlets. However, the price of film can be higher in Guangzhou than in Hong Kong. Kodak has recently opened a large film production facility in China. Black-and-white as well as color slide film is difficult to find and have processed. Ektachrome and Kodachrome are both available in Hong Kong. However, only Ektachrome is processed in Hong Kong. Kodachrome is sent to Australia and takes about 2 weeks to be developed.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:48 AM

The Guangzhou Chinese Catholic Cathedral and the Shamian Island Lourdes Chapel have masses in English at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Protestant services in English and Chinese are held at Shamian Church across from the Consulate General at 11 a.m. There is also an International Christian Church that meets in Tian He. The LDS Church has an active foreign community. Huaisheng Mosque holds services at noon on Fridays.

Education

Dependent Education Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:49 AM

The International American School of Guangzhou is centrally located in the Tian He District, about a 30-minute drive from the Consulate General Tower. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and teaches kindergarten through grade 12. Current enrollment is about 300 students from 21 countries. Instruction, except for segments of the Chinese culture class, is in English. The school has formal programs in English and Mandarin Chinese as a second language. Further information is available directly from the school’s principal.

American School of Guangzhou American Consulate General Box 100 FPO San Francisco 96655–0002 Principal: David Shawvers Website: http://www.aisgz.edu.cn Tel: (86–20) 38810001, 38812711 Fax: (86–20) 38811102

Several preschools are available too. Regular morning programs are held Mondays to Thursdays. Some foreign children attend Dong Fang Hong, a local Chinese-managed preschool and kindergarten.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:50 AM

The White Swan Hotel has sports facilities, including a health club, swimming pool, and squash courts for the use of hotel guests (including Consulate General members). Every Saturday the local branch of the Hash House Harriers holds an excursion to the countryside for joggers and walkers. Some women have arranged for tai chi instruction at the American School twice a week. When interest is sufficient, basketball and softball games are organized.

Shamian Island has both indoor and outdoor tennis courts available day and evening for a reasonable charge. Badminton is a popular local sport, and there are badminton nets strung in many parks. Consulate General staff members are hoping to organize a basketball team to play in an indoor court on the island. Many local children study martial arts in the evening. Shamian Island is closed to traffic, and the central area is a pedestrian zone. Many employees jog or walk around the island in the early morning or at dusk; some employees enjoy rollerblading as well.

Guangzhou also has several large parks that are pleasant for walkers, and nearby Baiyun Mountain Park has hiking trails. There is an immense sports complex at Tian He. Occasionally, the Consulate General is offered tickets to sporting events such as international bodybuilding. The British Consulate has organized a rugby team.

LuHu Golf and Country Club is situated 30 minutes away from the Consulate General. It has an 18-hole golf course and also offers 9-hole night golf on weekday evenings. Membership is expensive but a special arrangement may be negotiated. There is also an excellent driving range at Luhu. The Pearl River Delta has several other golf courses as well, some of them of professional quality. There are package golf deals available for Macau and Hainan Island.

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 7/18/2005 2:22 AM

From Guangzhou it is easy to arrange trips to Guilin, Hainan, Macao, and Zhuhai for a weekend or a few days. Going to Hong Kong for a weekend of shopping is convenient from Guangzhou.. Door-to-door by bus or train takes 3–4 hours each direction. In addition, trips by car to Conghua Hot Springs, Seven Star Crags, Xin Cun Village, etc., take only a few hours. Zoological and botanical gardens are located in suburban Guangzhou. The botanical garden has an impressive collection of species.

Guangzhou’s Baiyun Airport has direct connections to most cities in China, as well as to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Los Angeles, and other international destinations. Many people take advantage of the opportunity to travel around China. The CLO has in the past organized sightseeing and/or shopping trips to Chinese cities, as well as Bangkok, the Philippines, and elsewhere. The CLO Office in Beijing has welcomed Guangzhou employees’ participation in their outings, for example, a Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges.

Travel to Tibet requires a special permit and additional fees for diplomatic passport holders, but those who have gone say it is well worth the effort. Local travel agencies also offer reasonably priced package tours to cities within China and to Mongolia and Southeast Asia.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 7/18/2005 2:24 AM

Guangzhou has some interesting activities for foreigners, such as classical concerts by local artists, as well as foreign classical, jazz, and ballet groups and performers on tour. The new concert hall is beautifully designed with excellent acoustics, and the neighboring art museum sponsors high-quality traveling exhibitions. Complimentary tickets for cultural and sporting events are often made available to Consulate General members, or may be purchased at a reasonable cost. Private lessons in Cantonese or Mandarin, music, as well as traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy for both adults and children, are easy to arrange. A piano can be rented locally, and art supplies are available.

Western movies are screened in local movie theaters but are usually dubbed into Cantonese or Mandarin. Many people take the opportunity to go to the movies when in Hong Kong. VCD’s and DVD’s are very popular (though many are counterfeit). Multisystem DVD players are available locally or in Hong Kong for a good price. All apartments are issued 2 TVs.

Internet service is available at a fee averaging $20 a month for unlimited usage. Hourly rates vary. Line connections can be slow but are improving. The Consulate General has a few stand-alone computers with Internet connections that can be used after working hours, so a web-based E-mail account is useful to have before your shipment arrives.

A major form of entertainment consists of going out to dinner at the many restaurants around town. Not only Cantonese dimsum, but also Sichuan, Shanghaiese, northern cuisine, and Xin-jiang food are available and delicious. There are Indian, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese eateries. Shamian Island has several good Western and Chinese restaurants, and the White Swan has six high-quality restaurants, including one Japanese.

There are McDonald’s restaurants on almost every street corner, and pizza is available for delivery from Pizza Hut or Danny’s Bagels. The White Swan deli serves cheap eats at a small outdoor cafe‚ area. In the evening, the city is host to a lively bar and disco scene.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:52 AM

The Guangzhou Women’s International Club organizes various activities for its members and their guests. Everyone is invited to participate in its activities. The American International School of Guangzhou is a social focal point in the international community even for those without children. Some avid and not-so-avid bridge players organize games throughout the month.

The Australian Consulate, across town at the GITIC Hotel, hosts a Friday night happy hour every week. It is open to foreign passport holders and is well attended by other diplomatic corps members working nearby, as well as Western businessmen and their spouses. Many people round out the evening with dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Shopping and browsing is a favorite pastime for nearly everyone in Guangzhou. Bargains in pottery, down coats, antiques, and silk can be found in every corner of the city. The trade fairs provide a great opportunity to examine and occasionally to buy products from all over China. Carpets and baskets are the most popular items with casual fair-goers.

Several shops offer fine-quality new or antique Chinese furniture, especially chests, armoires, and hall tables made of rosewood, ash, oak, and other hardwoods. There is a furniture trade fair once a year in April. The CLO frequently organizes shopping trips to nearby cities such as Foshan, which specializes in ceramics, glassware, papercuts, and other art objects.

Official Functions Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:52 AM

See Beijing.

Special Information Last Updated: 7/18/2005 2:16 AM

Health and Medical Care. Before coming to Guangzhou, you and your family should try to take care of all medical problems, including dental and eye care. Although these matters can be handled in Hong Kong, it is expensive and often inconvinient to do so.

Check with the Office of Medical Services and obtain required inoculations. The Consulate General has a contract nurse position to provide emergency first aid and routine consultations. Currently this position is vacant. Those in need of medical attention can visit the CanAm medical unit located on the fifth floor of the Garden Hotel or wait until the regional medical officer/nurse practitioner visits post. Post is visited quarterly by the nurse practitioner from Hong Kong and occasionally by the regional medical officer from Beijing. The Consulate General keeps a small supply of typical over-the-counter medicines and first-aid supplies.

Although stomach complaints are relatively infrequent, colds and flu are quite common, probably due to the humidity, air pollution, and other factors. All apartments have air cleaners and dehumidifiers, but those who are allergy-prone should stock up on medications before arriving, since they are often hard to find at post.

For routine care and long-term conditions, many people travel to Hong Kong to consult with the medical unit or local hospitals. Bring your own first-aid supplies, as well as patent and prescription medicines. Arrange with a drugstore in the U.S. through the FPO to have prescriptions renewed as necessary. If a new medical condition develops while at post, the nurse practitioner in Hong Kong can arrange to have medication bought in Hong Kong and sent to Guangzhou by pouch, or the prescription can be sent back to the U.S. to be filled.

Employment for Spouses and Dependents. Dependent employment in Guangzhou is limited. Chinese regulations forbid paid or volunteer employment outside the Consulate General without special permission.

There are positions available for family members inside the Consulate General, especially in the visa and adoption units. Completion of the 6-week consular course is required for some, but not all, of these positions. Check with the Consulate’s administrative officer for more information about current vacancies. The American International School often has positions available. Secretarial/clerical jobs are the easiest to obtain. Few opportunities exist in specialized professional fields. Come prepared to face a period of unemployment and to get paid less. Hand-carry previous education, employment and training records, résumés, and documentation of certification in special fields.

Consulate General - Shanghai

Post City Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:56 AM

Shanghai is developing as one of the most dynamic cities in Asia. Not only is it the commercial center of one of the largest economies in the world, it is also the metropolitan destination of China, with monthly theater performances, concerts, and art exhibitions, as well as wine tastings and food promotions. Shanghai is the premier choice for the urbanite. Its history lends the city a wealth of influences that only add to its exotic flavor. The French, British, Germans, and Japanese gave Shanghai a legacy that other port cities envy. Its rise and fall make Shanghai’s resurgence an attraction for entrepreneurs and historians alike. Great architecture, adequate infrastructure, and business savvy keep this 16-million-inhabitant city desirable and interesting. If you are looking for the Paris of the Orient, you will find echoes of it alongside modern infrastructure and Chinese style. Shanghai is the China of the future, with a hint of history that lasts and lasts.

If one tires of the modern China in Shanghai, a few nearby cities offer green space, historical sites, and fabulous silk and pearl shopping. For the urbanite, there is the city Nanjing, about 3 hours away by car, which has several times been the capital of China. It has parts of its old city wall standing and a number of other historical sites.

Suzhou, about 1 hour from Shanghai, is China’s historic garden city. It is located in one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze River Basin. It is a center for tourism, and many of its historic parks have been restored and reopened to the public. Suzhou is also famous for its centuries-old tradition of silks and embroidery.

Hangzhou, located on the banks of West Lake (about 2 hours by car or train from Shanghai), is one of China’s scenic spots and a major tourist center. In addition to being the capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou is one of China’s major silk-producing centers. Hangzhou silk is well known throughout the world.

Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, in southern Anhui Province, offers scenery of breathtaking beauty, like stepping into a Chinese landscape painting. After a 60-minute plane ride, you can enter into another dimension of rest and relaxation.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:57 AM

The main Consulate General building is housed in an early 20th century mansion located in the French Concession of the city at 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Road. Designated an historical landmark, the stately mansion, reputed to be originally owned by the finance minister in the Qing Dynasty government (1644–1911) and one of China’s more prominent entrepreneurs, is a two-story structure with beautiful, ornate wall carvings and a delightful décor. The building carries an air of diplomacy at its best—subtle, elegant, and majestic.

Housed in the main building are the offices of the Political/Economic Section, RSO, a segment of the Administrative Section, and the office of the Consul General. The General Services Office and the Consular Section are located in separate buildings on the compound. Currently the post is growing at a rapid pace with the rest of Shanghai, there are plans to move the Consular Section to a location off the compound.

The Foreign Commercial Service, Agricultural Trade Office, and the Public Affairs Section lease offices in the Shanghai Centre, located about 15 minutes away from the Consulate compound.

Mail. At post you can use FPO facilities and international mail services. The mail room is located in a small building behind the main building of the Consulate. Packages can be mailed via Hong Kong, where correct postage will be calculated and added. You will be billed monthly for the cost of the postage, plus a small service fee. Post currently receives FPO mail delivery every Friday. Plans are in the works, however, to make FPO delivery a twice-weekly event. (Post advises that new arrivals make arrangements to pay U.S. bills electronically.)

The mailroom does not provide postage stamps, so bring enough stamps for your outgoing mail. You may also order stamps on-line. Forms for ordering stamps from the U.S. Post Office are available at post. Bring an adequate supply of envelopes, small boxes, and stationery for your mailing needs. Locally produced supplies do not meet U.S. standards. Other options for international mail are DHL and Federal Express. UPS is expected to arrive soon.

Canteen and snacks. The employees canteen, located on the main compound, serves a simple, inexpensive one dish Chinese meal daily around noon. A refrigerator and microwave oven are on the second floor of the main building and are available for your use. Drinks and snacks are also available. Western restaurants located near the main compound include Sasha’s, O’Malley’s, TGIF, and the Hilton Hotel.

Employees working at the Shanghai Centre have many lunchtime options. The Portman’s Tea Garden offers a pricey, but delicious buffet which includes Eastern and Western cuisine. Other restaurants within the Portman are the Italian Palladio, the Japanese Hanagatami, and the Chinese Summer Pavilion. Also, more affordable restaurants are less than a 10-minute walk from the Shanghai Centre. These include Irene’s Thai, Henry’s Home, and Malone’s. Across the street there is Bi Feng Tang for Chinese dimsum.

Housing Last Updated: 12/11/2003 8:59 AM

Shanghai has some of the best housing available in China. Staff housing is composed of locally leased apartments and houses. The apartments are generally small but adequate. Housing units are fully furnished and include lamps, carpets, range (with a rather small oven), washer, dryer, refrigerator (with attached freezer), vacuum cleaner, at least one television, microwave, water distiller, transformers (2), and air-conditioners. Although bed linen is provided, many people choose to bring their own. Most beds at post are queen and twin sizes. However, king-size beds are available at the Shanghai Centre apartments.

Consulate staff housing is determined by the Consulate General’s Interagency Housing Board in accordance with interagency regulations and standards, based on family size, position, rank, date of arrival, housing availability, and other relevant factors. Although temporary housing is an option, the board attempts to assign incoming personnel to permanent housing prior to their arrival. A Hospitality Kit with linens, an iron, dishes, glassware, flatware, and a coffee maker is available for use until the arrival of UAB. Preference may be expressed by letter or E-mail to the administrative officer, GSO, CLO, or to your office sponsor at least 100 days prior to arrival.

Generally, families with children are assigned to houses, and childless singles/couples are assigned to apartments. Small dogs and cats are acceptable at the Shanghai Center. Larger animals must be housed in larger quarters. No fenced-in yards are available. There are currently four housing locales for Consulate employees:

Shanghai Centre: A large modern apartment and hotel complex centrally located about 15 minutes from the Consulate. Residents enjoy Western living standards in addition to upscale shopping and a Starbucks coffee shop. They also have free access to a world-class health club. Most singles/couples are assigned to the Shanghai Centre, also called the Portman.

Hong Qiao Villas: A Japanese-managed complex located about 20–45 minutes (depending on the time of day) drive from the Consulate. These three-bedroom houses are fairly small but have good-sized yards and green spaces. The compound includes tennis courts, a large, outdoor pool, a grocery store, and a restaurant. The complex operates a shuttle service to and from the Consulate, as well as service to various other hotels in Shanghai.

Windsor Park: The villas on this compound have three to four bedrooms. The green spaces are not as large as Hong Qiao Villas, but the compound has a small indoor swimming pool, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, snackbar, and a small gym facility. This community usually has a 100% occupancy rate and can be difficult to get new people in due to the lack of available units.

Hong Mei Villas: These villas are located 20–45 minutes from the Consulate, near Hong Qiao Villas. Many of the villas are four-bedroom, although the bedrooms may be small.

Please note that post does not offer storage for excess furniture or household effects. Storage space is quite limited in all housing units. New arrivals are encouraged to bring decorative items and electrical appliances for their homes. Large and/or valuable furniture may be placed in permanent storage at Government expense in Washington (see 6 FAM 170). Be sure to insure all of your effects before shipping them to post. Check the Overseas Briefing Center or contact the administrative office or CLO at your current post to arrange for insurance.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:00 AM

Shanghai offers a comfortable living environment in terms of utilities and equipment.

Electricity. Electricity is accessible and reliable. Electrical power is 220v, 50 hertz. Outlets are not standard; however, adapters are readily available. Sensitive electrical equipment (such as computers, VCR’s, and stereos) is subject to damage from voltage surges. Post highly recommends that you purchase surge protectors. One can purchase reasonably priced 220v models locally.

Water. Overcoming contaminated water is one of China’s greatest obstacles. In Shanghai, the water is not potable. Everyone must drink distilled water. The Consulate provides water distillers, and bottled water is readily available.

Telephone services. Telephone service is reliable. Monthly costs, especially long-distance tolls made from the staff apartments, are expensive. Long-distance calls made from staff houses are probably cheaper than in the U.S. Most residences can have a second line, but the employee may be liable for the connection fee. (Post suggests that new arrivals bring U.S.-brand international calling cards to make calls from home.) New IP cards available locally charge less than 3 RMB per minute to the U.S. The tie line, available only at the Consulate, can also be used with U.S. domestic calling cards.

Internet. Internet services are available in China and cheap. American Internet service providers are not licensed to operate in China. However, five local service providers—Bell South, Uninet, Shanghai On-Line, China Net, and Eastern Web Services—provide an array of services and prices from which to choose. The service is relatively slow due to infrastructural limitations in China. However, Shanghai is investing millions to upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure. Internet service providers are also seeking creative solutions to increase transmission speed. Most Consulate employees have internet access in their homes. ISDN service is available at the Shanghai Centre. ADSL service is now becoming available in Shanghai.

Television. Shanghai has Chinese broadcasts on five channels, including half-hour newscasts in English at noon and in the early evening. All housing has cable with premium channels, including HBO, ShowTime, Hallmark, Turner Classics, Star World (in houses), MTV, the Cartoon Channel, and foreign-language broadcasts. The TV system is PAL-D, 625 lines. Most lessors include a PAL-D color television and cable hookup for satellite reception as part of the furnishings. U.S. standard televisions and VCR’s may be used with a voltage step down transformer to view NTSC tapes but not local programs.

To view or record local TV, a multisystem TV and VCR are recommended. The VHS format is universally used at post, and the CLO has a videotape library for sharing with others. China has leapfrogged over VHS technology to VCD and DVD; therefore, VHS tapes are not readily available on the local market. Most post personnel purchase U.S. standard DVD players upon arrival, which range in price from US$300 to US$600.

Food Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:02 AM

Shanghai offers an ever-increasing number of food shopping locales. Although shopping can sometimes be an adventure, fresh fruit, green vegetables, U.S. standard beef, chicken, pork, duck, veal, and lamb are available year-round. Consumers can purchase their meat from several upscale delis, which specialize in imported meat from the U.S. and Australia. There are also several large supermarkets that offer Sam’s Club-style shopping. Local Chinese-style markets, which sell live chickens, ducks, and fish cleaned and cut to order still exist, but due to hygiene concerns are rarely the shopper’s choice. Produce available year-round includes apples, bananas, bean sprouts, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, celery, dried mushrooms, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, and white radishes. Produce available seasonally includes oranges, beets, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, fresh mushrooms, green bell peppers, strawberries, tangerines, and tomatoes.

The CLO also orders fresh vegetables from the American Garden, a local producer which uses only U.S.-approved organic fertilizers and pesticides. Orders submitted by noon Wednesday are delivered on Fridays. The CLO will send you a monthly bill for your purchases.

Imported Western foods are available, though they are priced three to four times as much as they cost in the U.S. Some locally produced Western foods are available at a reasonable price; however, they may not be completely suitable substitutes. A wide range of locally made Western-brand beverages, such as Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew, soda and tonic waters, and beer, are also available in almost every store. Although table wines are also produced locally, most people prefer imported wines and liquor. Imported wines and hard liquor can be purchased at several shops at prices above the discount liquor stores in the U.S. Also, one may order wines from local distributors, who hold monthly wine tastings.

Decent-quality whole, low-fat, and skim milk and butter are available at prices roughly comparable to those in the U.S. However, cheeses and sour cream, most imported from Australia or New Zealand, are expensive. Most American staff use local ingredients for baking, but some prefer to purchase high-cost imported flours and sugars for specialty baking. Many find locally made Italian sauces and fruit preserves inadequate. For special items and personal favorites, such as Mexican food, breakfast cereals, Dr. Pepper, premium coffees and teas, and candies, employees are advised to take advantage of the consumables shipment, as it will result in savings where only imports are acceptable.

Clothing Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:02 AM

Shanghai has four seasons, and its weather is comparable to that of Washington, D.C., although the winter is milder. In the spring, the weather is pleasant, but often rainy. The dress code for Shanghai is much like that of Beijing, except during the summer when it is more casual. Summers offer heat and humidity. Prepare by bringing clothes made of porous materials such as cotton and linen. The most unpleasant season is the winter. Although it rarely snows in Shanghai, days tend to be cold, wet, and dark. Bring heavy coats and rain gear for this time of year.

Western-sized clothing is becoming more available in Shanghai. However, post cautions new arrivals to do necessary shopping before coming to Shanghai. It takes time to understand and take advantage of the shopping scene in Shanghai. The average American adult will face some difficulty finding suitably fitting clothes in Shanghai malls and shops. However, skilled tailors and unlimited materials are readily available for special occasions and that must-have suit. Stockings and undergarments are especially expensive and hard to find.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:03 AM

Locally made cleaning supplies—laundry detergents, dish soap, shampoo, and cleaners—are adequate, but some people prefer shipping them in the consumables shipment. Specialty soaps, such as unscented and environmentally friendly products, are not available. Although heavier in weight, ship liquid detergent instead of soap powder because powder has a tendency to permeate consumables (e.g., flour and packaged products) with its strong odor. Locally made toilet paper is adequate, but of a more limited range than in the U.S. Diapers and feminine products should likewise be shipped.

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:03 AM

Shanghai has Western-standard drycleaners throughout the city. Ask post personnel for their favorite locations.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:04 AM

A locally hired housekeeper and/or child minder, the ayi, is common in many homes. Ayis usually work 5 or 6 days a week and are paid a monthly salary, plus a “13th month” at Chinese New Year. Finding someone experienced in keeping an American household can save on “training” time; however, ayis who speak English are rare. Normal practice is to have someone come for a 1- or 2-week trial period before making a long-term commitment. The most effective way of finding an ayi is by word of mouth. Also, the management office at the housing compound can often arrange for household help or recommend an ayi service company.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:04 AM

Shanghai offers a variety of worship services including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Islamic. The avid churchgoer will have no problems finding a place of worship within the city limits.

Education Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:06 AM

There are several English-language, foreign-run schools. The Shanghai American School (SAS), about 30 minutes by car from the Hong Qiao housing area, provides a U.S. curriculum from K through 12 grades for about 1,300 students. The Shanghai International School (Yew Chung SIS), located about 15 minutes by car from both the Consulate and Hong Qiao housing area, has a British-style bilingual curriculum for pre-K through high school and currently has about 600 students. The centrally located Shanghai Changning International School offers an American curriculum for grades pre-K to 8 for about 300 students. Concordia International School, opened in 1998 in the Pudong New Area (about 1 hour from Hong Qiao housing area) has about 45 students and is an international school affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It has an American curriculum for grades pre-K through grade 12.

Schools in Shanghai are not equipped to accept children with severe learning disabilities. Children with mild disabilities whose needs can be met with minor modifications to the instruction within the regular curriculum may attend some schools. If your child has a mild learning disability, contact the school before arrival to determine whether or not they will consider accepting your child and whether they believe they might be able to meet your child’s needs. After arrival, a child with a mild learning disability will still need to be evaluated to determine whether or not the school will accept him or her.

Preschools are plentiful in Shanghai. There are English-speaking play schools, preschool programs associated with the various international schools, as well as bilingual and Chinese (often Taiwanese-run) programs. Tuition costs vary considerably, from about US$120 to US$1,000 per month.

It is also possible to enroll children in Chinese public schools. Young children can be enrolled in local preschools. Also, the local public Shanghai High School International Division has an English-language and IB program.

For more information, consult the OBC China boxes, CLO, or contact the schools directly:

Shanghai American School (SAS) website: www.saschina.org e-mail: shaamsch@public.sta.net.cn Fax: (86–21) 6221–1269 Phone: (86–21) 6252–3688

Concordia International School—Shanghai website: www.ciss.com.cn e-mail: aschmidt@uninet.com.cn Fax: (86–21) 5899–1685 Phone: (86–21) 5899–0380

Shanghai Changning International School website: www.uninet.com.cn/userhome/scis/index.htm e-mail: scinet@uninet.com.cn Fax: (86–21) 6212–2330 Phone: (86–21) 6252–3688

Yew Chung Shanghai International School (SIS) website: www.ycef.com e-mail: ycsis@public.sta.net.cn Fax: (86–21) 6242–7331

DOS Office of Overseas Schools (OOS) website: www.state.gov/www/about_state/schoolsemail e-mail regarding East Asia Schools, Beatrice H. Cameron, CameronBH2@state.gov Phone: (86–21) 6242–3243

Education

Dependent Education Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:08 AM

There are several Eligible Family Member and PSC positions at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai. Some of these positions require specialized training and the ability to speak Chinese. The consular associate positions in the Consular Section require satisfactory completion of the Basic Consular Course and the ability to speak Chinese. Those who wish to work in the personnel assistant position are advised to take the personnel course. For the General Services office assistant, the procurement course is helpful, although no formal training is required. There are also PSC positions at the Agricultural Trade Office and the Foreign Commercial Service. If you are interested in working or want to know when particular positions will become available, please contact the administrative officer or the CLO.

To apply for positions, you must be at post. However, post recommends that you send your resume or completed Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), and a cover letter ahead so that post is aware of your skills and interest in working.

Professional opportunities are limited outside of the international schools and some freelance work. The U.S. and the P.R.C. do not have a bilateral work agreement. The Chinese Government requires diplomatic family members to waive all diplomatic immunity—criminal as well as administrative—in order to work on the local economy. The State Department’s regulations prevent post from waiving an employee’s immunities. For the most part, Consulate dependents are limited to working within the Consulate, at other Consulates, or at one of the international schools in Shanghai. Providing private English lessons is also an option. Post requires that spouses who work outside of the Consulate do so in a way that does not require loss of diplomatic protection.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:09 AM

Shanghai is a shopper’s paradise. Antique furniture, silk carpets, Tibetan chests, fresh-water pearls, shoes, fabric, cashmere sweaters, and porcelain ware, though not the bargains they once were, are here for the asking.

Shanghai offers a variety of theater-going options, including first-run American movies and revival foreign films that can be seen at the Shanghai Film Art center, Paradise, and Hai Xing Cinema. Recent acts at the National Theatre include European opera companies, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, Placido Domingo, and Yo Yo Ma.

In recent years, Shanghai’s art community has blossomed. Small galleries filled with a mix of traditional and modern sculptures and paintings abound. In addition, the Modern Art Museum, the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai History Museum, and the Shanghai Museum of Natural History provide fabulous venues for the art lover.

Shanghai in the 1920s was notorious for its wild and varied nightlife. Today’s Shanghai is not as wild but it is certainly as varied. Everything from local “hairy crab” and “divey dumplings” to American fast food to the finest in continental cuisine sit side by side. Twenty-four hour bowling alleys, go-cart tracks, a firing range, teahouses, karaoke, bars, and nightclubs of every description are just some of the amusements that Shanghai has to offer. Shanghai has everything from Bach to Techno. Chamber music, symphonies, jazz, salsa, pop favorites, hip-hop, and techno keep Shanghai’s nightlife pulsing. Though the “chabuduo syndrome,” almost but not quite, rears its head from time to time, Shanghai’s quirky night life is enjoyable.

Special Information Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:13 AM

Employment for Spouses and Dependents

There are several Eligible Family Member and PSC positions at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai. Some of these positions require specialized training and the ability to speak Chinese. The consular associate positions in the Consular Section require satisfactory completion of the Basic Consular Course and the ability to speak Chinese. Those who wish to work in the personnel assistant position are advised to take the personnel course. For the General Services office assistant, the procurement course is helpful, although no formal training is required. There are also PSC positions at the Agricultural Trade Office and the Foreign Commercial Service. If you are interested in working or want to know when particular positions will become available, please contact the administrative officer or the CLO.

To apply for positions, you must be at post. However, post recommends that you send your résumé, a completed Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), and a cover letter ahead so that post is aware of your skills and interest in working.

Professional opportunities are limited outside of the international schools and some freelance work. The U.S. and the P.R.C. do not have a bilateral work agreement. The Chinese Government requires diplomatic family members to waive all diplomatic immunity—criminal as well as administrative—in order to work on the local economy. The State Department’s regulations prevent post from waiving an employee’s immunities. For the most part, Consulate dependents are limited to working within the Consulate, at other Consulates, or at one of the international schools in Shanghai. Providing private English lessons is also an option. Post requires that spouses who work outside of the Consulate do so in a way that does not require loss of diplomatic protection.

Pets

For new arrivals traveling through Beijing before coming to Shanghai, the U.S. Embassy Beijing no longer provides assistance with bringing pets to China. Employees should notify Asian Express (China) LTD (Tel: 8610–6510–1035 at extension 1039; Fax: 8610–6510–1049; e-mail: Beijing@aemovers.com.hk). Asian Express representatives will arrange customs clearance at the airport. Asian Express fees are US$150 for pets traveling on the same aircraft as the owner and US$250 for pets traveling alone. New arrivals traveling directly to Shanghai can bring their pets along with them. Please alert Shanghai’s GSO well in advance if pets will accompany you to post. E-mails can be sent to GSO, Shanghai@state.gov.

Medical Information at Post

The Consulate has a nurse available for consultations 3 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. She is capable of administering immunizations and other basic health care. She is also well-connected with the medical community in Shanghai and provides current information on the quality of care in local facilities and current health scares and issues. You can contact the current nurse, Mrs. Susan Hine, at the Consulate (86–21) 6433–6880, extension 2304 or 2244. You can also contact her by e-mail at hinesa@state.gov.

The regional medical officer (RMO), based in Beijing, is responsible for establishing overall medical policy in China. The RMOs from Beijing and Hong Kong try to make quarterly visits to Shanghai. If you need to speak with a regional medical officer, please call Hong Kong at (852) 2841–2309 or the Beijing Medical Unit at (86–10) 6532–5063.

Limited Western-standard health care is available in Shanghai. Most minor emergencies or infections can be treated locally by the Consulate nurse or by local medical facilities. For serious health concerns, most Consulate employees return to the U.S. or go to Hong Kong. Post recommends that those on long-term medications (including birth control pills) bring an adequate supply or establish means of maintaining their supply from a pharmacy in the U.S.

Dental care in Shanghai does meet U.S. standards. Prices are comparable to those in the U.S. Payment for services rendered is usually lump-sum. Services available locally include X-rays, cleaning, fillings, repairs, and orthodontics.

Transportation

Shanghai, like most metropolises, has a wide variety of transportation options: taxis, buses, and a subway. Taxis in Shanghai are relatively inexpensive. Buses, though cheaper than taxis, are crowded and inconvenient. Shanghai’s subway is fast, cheap, new, clean, and safe. The routes are limited, but new stations are being added constantly.

Half of the Consulate personnel have cars in Shanghai. Driving in Shanghai is relatively hectic, due to unclear and ever-changing traffic regulations and congestion. Narrow Shanghai streets are full of pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and fare-hungry taxis. One must be alert and quick at all times. However, it is relatively simple to get a driver’s license in Shanghai. One must provide a valid U.S. driver’s license, pass a battery of hand-and-eye coordination tests, and pass a written examination. To drive in Shanghai, one needs nerves of steel. However, to really explore the surrounding countryside, a car is a must.

Parking in Shanghai can sometimes be a challenge. On-the-street parking can be difficult to find. Also, parking on the Consulate General compound is quite limited, but all housing units have adequate parking space.

Consulate General - Shenyang

Post City Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:15 AM

Located in the heart of the Manchurian Plain, Shenyang is the hub of commerce, industry, politics, transportation, and communication for the three provinces of China’s Dongbei, or Northeast. The city and its surrounding rural areas boast China’s fifth-largest population of over 7 million people.

Formerly a gritty metropolis second only to Shanghai in industrial output, Shenyang has modernized significantly beginning in the 1990s, with skyscrapers, upscale condominiums, and five-star hotels increasingly dotting the city center. Old factories and their coal-fired smokestacks are being torn down, some replaced by wider boulevards and city parks. New Shenyang has an art institute, a conservatory of music, and a number universities. Its Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, drama troupe, and ballet troupe enjoy national reputations.

Manchuria, or the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang on China’s northeastern frontier, has been a strategic battleground and center of intrigue between Russia, Japan, Chinese nationalists, and Mao’s communists during the past century and a half. The region shares long borders with North Korea, Russia, and Inner Mongolia. Ethnically, historically, and architecturally, Manchuria is a land of diversity. Han, Manchu, Mongol, Japanese, Russian, and Korean peoples have intermingled over the years to create a distinctive frontier culture. Shenyang’s city center still holds the 17th-century seat of the first Qing emporer, who built palace similar to Beijing’s Forbidden City before capturing Beijing itself in 1644. Shenyang’s 20th-century buildings, many dating from the Japanese occupation era, imitate almost every European architectural style from Rococo to Bauhaus.

China’s Dongbei is one of the world’s most densely populated regions; Consulate Shenyang serves a district of 120 million people. With more than one-half of China’s petroleum and one-fifth of its heavy industrial output, Manchuria is pivotal to China’s development. The area’s tradition as a breadbasket counterbalances its emphasis on heavy industry. Jilin is China’s principal producer of corn; Heilongjiang leads in soybeans; and southern Liaoning’s peaches and pears are exported around the world. Northeast herbs, particularly ginseng, have fortified Chinese traditional medicines through the centuries.

Shenyang has four distinct seasons: Mild springs and autumns alternate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average daily high temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes the temperature drops as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. From November through March, Shenyang’s average precipitation is only 2.25 inches per month, with occasional snowfalls.

Security Last Updated: 6/30/2003 5:06 AM

For security information, please see the post report for Embassy Beijing.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:15 AM

The U.S. Consulate in Shenyang originally opened in 1904 and was closed in 1949, reopening on 30 May 1984. The address of the office is 14th Wei Lu, No 52, Heping District, Shenyang. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m to noon and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m, Monday through Friday.

The Consulate currently has 14 direct-hire American staff and 75 FSN staff. Americans include the following: Consul General, Office Management Specialist, Economic Officer, Political Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Commercial Officer, Administrative Officer, Consular Chief, two Consular Officers, General Services Officer, Facility Manager, Information Programs Officer, and Information Management Specialist. The Consulate is located in downtown Shenyang on a compound including a main office building, an annex, and the Consul General’s residence.

Consulate General Shenyang is a constituent post of Embassy Beijing and provides support to the China Mission’s goals: Protecting American citizens in China, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, promoting open markets, supporting democracy and human rights, and regional stability.

Further information is available at the Consulate’s Intranet website, http://10.145.128.30/Shenyang/default.htm.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 7/1/2003 6:50 AM

Shenyang seldom uses temporary quarters; the goal is to put everyone into permanent housing immediately. In the unusual event of a temporary assignment there are three 5-star hotels in Shenyang offering suites and serviced apartments.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:18 AM

The Consulate’s housing pool is composed of apartments in the city and single-family houses in the suburbs. All units are fully furnished. The Admin Officer and General Services Officer make housing assignments in consultation with Shenyang-bound employees. Your housing is generally based on your rank, family size, and location preference; however, since Shenyang is a relatively small post we also assign housing depending on what is available at the time of your transfer. Normally your housing unit will be ready for move-in when you arrive. We will provide a Welcome Kit with an assortment of items for your use until you receive your airfreight and household effects.

InterCon apartments: The Hotel InterContinental apartments are custom-designed as apartments rather than hotel rooms, with two or three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and large Western-style kitchens. Closet and storage space is somewhat limited. Recreation facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, an indoor driving range, and a work-out room. Pets are not allowed. Most staff transferring this year will be housed at the InterCon.

Civic Moon houses: Detached houses are located at Civic Moon Resort, about 15 minutes’ drive south of the city. These two-story houses have three or four bedrooms and good-sized yards. The complex has two tennis courts, an exercise room, a indoor pool, two restaurants, and a convenience store. Shuttles run to and from downtown throughout the day.

Electrical current is 220 volt /50 Hertz. We will provide you with a limited number of transformers, but because of frequent voltage fluctuations we advise bringing surge protectors for computers and other delicate equipment.

Internet access: Both housing areas offer broadband and/or dial-up connections. Service is usually fast and the cost is reasonable. Your sponsor or the Admin Officer can provide current details. All Internet access passes through Chinese government servers that sometimes block websites, but most Western news sites are now available.

Pets: Please contact the Management Officer before planning to bring a pet. Local veterinary services are not up to Western standards and we would have to arrange for housing in a complex that accepts pets.

Domestic Help: Many Consulate officers employ a domestic helper, either full-time or part time. Cost ranges from $40 to $150 per month. Your sponsor can give you ideas if you’re interested.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:18 AM

All housing units are fully furnished; for more specific information on furnishings please contact the General Services Officer. The post provides Welcome Kits for all arrivals.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 7/1/2003 7:01 AM

Electricity is 220 V, 50 cycles. Post supplies transformers for each housing unit. Each apartment has a telephone; monthly phone rates are reasonable and international rates are similar to those in the United States.

Food Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:19 AM

Shenyang restaurants offer a wide variety of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese foods, and some Western choices as well. American fast food includes McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and DQ. The large hotels have Western-style restaurants.

For ideas on what food items you can buy locally, please see additional information under Supplies.

Clothing Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:19 AM

Shenyang has a short, warm summer sandwiched between an extended spring and fall. The winter is long and cold, comparable to the northern Midwest. Most buildings are heated, but not to U.S. standards. Sweaters and long underwear are necessary for meetings in Chinese offices and factories. Employees traveling in the consular district during the winter months need warm shoes and heavy clothes, as most such travel is on poorly heated trains.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:23 AM

Persons assigned to Shenyang are entitled to a consumables shipment in addition to their regular household effects shipment. Since some Western products are not available here, we suggest you take advantage of this opportunity to ship your favorite foods and personal needs items; we have included some suggestions below (paragraphs 34–36). Because storage space is limited, we advise that you split up your shipment, half to arrive when you get to post and half to arrive later in your tour. You may arrange the second shipment any time before your last year in Shenyang. You may also include some food items in your airfreight and/or household effects shipment.

Availability and selection of Western items in Shenyang is constantly expanding; what was not available yesterday may be available tomorrow. This section describes the current situation based on our best knowledge. Shenyang has several large shopping centers offering groceries, electronics, clothing, hardware, sports supplies, and just about everything else you can imagine. Shenyang is also home to Wu Ai market, reportedly one of the largest wholesale market in China. Of course, prices and quality vary widely.

Fresh foods are available in open-air markets located throughout town. Most employees seem to enjoy doing at least some of their own shopping. Those persons employing maids often have them shop for local products, since the maids usually will get a lower price. Fresh chicken, pork, beef and lamb may be purchased year-round. The local markets offer both live and frozen seafood. Dalian seaport, about four hours from Shenyang by train or car, has excellent seafood.

Fruits and vegetables: In Shenyang we enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, including the following: bananas, peaches, melons, oranges, tangerines, lemons, watermelon, apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, peanuts, walnuts, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, cabbage (Chinese and round head), onions (bulbs, scallions and sprouts), green peppers, eggplant (snake and pear variety), bean curd, bean sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, radish (white and red), spinach, leaf lettuce, celery, mushrooms, peas, ginger, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, bamboo shoots, and lychee. Produce that is not available or is hard to find includes limes, parsley, cherries, artichokes and iceberg lettuce.

Dairy Products: Fresh milk (whole and skim) and UHT cream are available locally, though slightly more expensive than in the U.S. You can also find sweetened yogurt, butter, and more common types of cheese. Good ice cream, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, ricotta and other special cheeses may sometimes be available and may also be purchased in Beijing.

Utensils: Some good-quality cooking tools and stainless steel cookware are available locally. The “Liaoning Steel” brand of stainless cookware is comparable to medium-quality U.S. brand stainless. However, many baking utensils are not readily available, so you may want to include pizza pans, cookie sheets and bread and cake pans in your shipment.

Baked Goods: Several of the hotels have bakeshops, but most local bakeries offer only cakes and sweetened bread quite different from American tastes. Many of us choose to do our own baking and find that bread machines and bread machine mixes are useful here. Please be aware that not all bread machines will work on transformers. It is possible to purchase 220 volt bread machines from several catalogue companies.

Bring an adequate supply of any hobby materials you might need, including art supplies. Many hobby supplies are not available here or in Beijing, but may be ordered over the internet.

Beijing shopping: To get a general idea of what is available in Beijing, check out the German butcher and Welcome Supermarket in the basement of the China World Hotel, Jenny Lou’s near PCP, the Friendship Store, and the Embassy Locker (commissary).

For your consumables shipment: We have found the following items either unavailable in Shenyang, hard to find or available only in a limited number of varieties: cake mixes, brownie mixes, baking chocolate, coconut, molasses, corn syrup, whole-wheat flour, yeast, baking powder and soda, breakfast cereals, whole bean and ground coffee, bread machine mixes, Western spices, vanilla and other extracts, canned corn, canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix and other holiday foods, special ethnic foods (kosher, Indian ingredients, etc), and diet/health foods (caffeine free, sugar free, fat free).

Also consider bringing: Household cleaning products, spray disinfectants, dishwasher detergent and rinse agents, liquid laundry detergent, spray starch, water softener and powdered bleach, baking cups (for cupcakes), food coloring, waxed paper, shelf paper/liners, vitamin and mineral supplements, decorative candles, holiday decorations and greeting cards, moisturizing skin creams, cosmetics, feminine hygiene, and dental and hair care products. Water in China is not fluorinated, so families with young children may want to bring fluoride supplement tablets.

Available but expensive: The following items are available locally, but some are specialty items marketed for foreigners and are more expensive than in the U.S. In some cases flavors and textures may differ from U.S. brands, and quantities may be limited. If you have favorite brands or use these items in large quantities, you may want to include these items in your shipment: ground coffee, jam/jellies, cocoa, pasta, pasta sauce, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, pickles, some spices, oatmeal, powdered skim or low-fat milk (powdered whole milk is the only kind available locally), evaporated milk, white and brown sugar (the sugar here is damp and coarse and not good for cakes), noodles, juices, feminine hygiene products, dental and hair care products, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, and furniture polish.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:23 AM

Many Consulate officers employ a domestic helper, either full-time or part time. Cost ranges from $40 to $150 per month. Domestic employees speak little or no English and few have extensive housekeeping experience.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:24 AM

The Chinese government recognizes the official “patriotic” Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim religions, as well as traditional Chinese Buddhism and Taoism. There are two Patriotic Catholic churches in Shenyang and several official Protestant churches; a few of these offer services in English. Shenyang also has a mosque and several Buddhist and Taoist temples. There is no synagogue.

Many people hold services in small groups at home rather than attend the official churches.

Education Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:24 AM

There is an international school (grades 1 to 6), with a staff of U.S. teachers. The school includes kindergarten through grade 7; curriculum is standard American.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 7/11/2003 2:20 AM

All housing areas have fully-equipped professional gyms with exercise equipment and swimming pools; use is free of charge for residents. On compound, the Consulate has ping-pong tables and a limited number of exercise machines for employee use. Shenyang has a sports stadium and a soccer team; some trials for the 2002 World Cup were held here. Chinese people can be found in the public parks playing badminton, dancing, or praticing Taichi.

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:25 AM

Shenyang has many interesting parks and monuments, and the city government is daily increasing the amount of green space. There is a new city park just behind the Consulate compound, as well as Nanhu and Lu Xun Parks within walking distance, which provide good jogging paths areas. Consulate families have enjoyed picnicking at Beiling and Dongling parks, the imperial Qing tombs on the outskirts of the city. Shenyang Botanical Garden and Shenyang Zoo are within an hour’s drive.

For the intrepid traveler, Manchuria also offers beaches, ski areas, nature preserves, mountains, forests, and other recreational areas. Please see the Consulate’s Intranet website at http://10.145.128.30/Shenyang/default.htm for more information on possible day trips around Shenyang.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 7/11/2003 2:50 AM

Shenyang has a small expatriate community and and International Club. Bars and pubs are widely available, and there are Western-style restaurants at the large hotels. Musical concerts are infrequent; there are movie theaters but most local people buy or rent DVDs for home use instead. Many Consulate staff members bring their personal collections of videotapes.

All housing areas offer broadband Internet and satellite TV with stations such as CNN, BBC, HBO, and Star World, and a variety of Chinese-language stations. VOA, BBC, Radio Australia, and others can be picked up by short wave.

Official Functions Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:25 AM

See Beijing.

Special Information Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:34 AM

Below is a copy of Shenyang’s Welcome cable. Some of this information is repeated elsewhere in the Post Report, but the entire cable is included here for your reference.

SHENYANG WELCOME CABLE

1. Congratulations on your assignment to Shenyang! We look forward to welcoming you into our Consulate community, and we believe that you will find your tour here rewarding both professionally and personally. Many people comment favorably on the excitement of working at a smaller post, where job portfolios are broad and individual autonomy is great. This cable provides information to help you in preparing for your transfer to Shenyang. If you have additional questions or need more specific information on certain subjects, please feel free to contact any of the following people:

------------- THE CONSULATE -------------

2. The United States Consulate General in Shenyang currently has 14 direct-hire American staff and 75 FSN staff. Americans include the following: Consul General, Office Management Specialist, Economic Officer, Political Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Commercial Officer, Administrative Officer, Consular Chief, two Consular Officers, General Services Officer, Facility Manager, Information Programs Officer, and Information Management Specialist. The Consulate is located in downtown Shenyang on a compound including a main office building, an annex, and the Consul General’s residence.

3. Consulate General Shenyang is a constituent post of Embassy Beijing and provides support to the China Mission’s goals: Protecting American citizens in China, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, promoting open markets, supporting democracy and human rights, and regional stability.

------------------- TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS -------------------

4. Shenyang is accessible by direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and other regional cities; most newly arriving officers travel through Beijing. Making your travel reservations early will help ensure that you get the flights that are most convenient for your schedule. Shenyang’s new modern airport opened in December 2001. Your sponsor will meet you there upon your arrival, with a Consulate vehicle to take you to your new home. Please be sure to confirm your travel arrangements with us before you come. You and your family members must have diplomatic visas to enter China; Main State’s passport office can help you apply through the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

5. It’s a good idea to get the cell phone number of someone in Shenyang and carry it with you as you travel, in case you experience problems or delays en route.

6. Beijing consultations: Staff assigned to Consulate General Shenyang should travel directly to Post. The Mission policy currently permits Consulate staff to visit Beijing for consultations several weeks after arriving at Post. Waiting until you have been on the job for a period of time will enhance the effectiveness of your consultation time in Beijing.

7. Sponsor: A Consulate employee will be named as your sponsor. This person will contact you in advance of your travel to Shenyang to offer assistance with any special needs you may have. Your sponsor will also meet you at the airport on your arrival, introduce you into your housing area, and give you a brief tour of the Consulate on your first work day. He or she may also purchase some grocery items for your use when you first arrive; you should reimburse your sponsor for the cost of these items.

------- HOUSING -------

8. The Consulate’s housing pool is composed of apartments in the city and single-family houses in the suburbs. All units are fully furnished. The Admin Officer and General Services Officer make housing assignments in consultation with Shenyang-bound employees. Your housing is generally based on your rank, family size, and location preference; however, since Shenyang is a relatively small post we also assign housing depending on what is available at the time of your transfer. Normally your housing unit will be ready for move-in when you arrive. We will provide a Welcome Kit with an assortment of items for your use until you receive your airfreight and household effects.

9. InterCon apartments: The Hotel InterContinental apartments are custom-designed as apartments rather than hotel rooms, with two or three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and large Western-style kitchens. Closet and storage space is somewhat limited. Recreation facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, an indoor driving range, and a work-out room. Pets are not allowed. Most staff transferring this year will be housed at the InterCon.

10. Civic Moon houses: Detached houses are located at Civic Moon Resort, about 15 minutes’ drive south of the city. These two-story houses have three or four bedrooms and good-sized yards. The complex has two tennis courts, an exercise room, a indoor pool, two restaurants, and a convenience store. Shuttles run to and from downtown throughout the day.

11. Electrical current is 220 volt / 50 Hertz. We will provide you with a limited number of transformers, but because of frequent voltage fluctuations we advise bringing surge protectors for computers and other delicate equipment.

12. Internet access: Both housing areas offer broadband and/or dial-up connections. Service is usually fast and the cost is reasonable. Your sponsor or the Admin Officer can provide current details. All Internet access passes through Chinese government servers that sometimes block websites, but most Western news sites are now available.

13. Pets: Please contact the Management Officer before planning to bring a pet. Local veterinary services are not up to Western standards and we would have to arrange for housing in a complex that accepts pets.

14. Domestic help: Many Consulate officers employ a domestic helper, either full-time or part time. Cost ranges from $40 to $150 per month. Your sponsor can give you ideas if you're interested.

--------- SHIPMENTS ---------

15. You should contact the GSO at your current post or the State Department Transportation Unit (A/LM/TTM) to arrange for shipments to Shenyang. To avoid delays in receiving your shipments, please share the following information with the person making your arrangements: China has strict regulations on import of some materials, especially wooden crating, braces, and lift vans. In addition, we can normally begin Customs clearance procedures in advance if we have the correct documents. Please contact Shenyang’s General Services Officer at the Email above, well in advance of pack-out, to discuss packing and shipping arrangements.

16. Shipping times: Airfreight shipments are normally available within a week of your arrival, while household effects and consumables normally arrive in 2–3 months. You can also mail yourself items using the FPO address, though this is not intended to supplement your airfreight weight allowance; boxes usually take 3–8 weeks. If you do send yourself packages, make sure they are sturdy and securely taped — FPO shipment can be brutal!

17. Consumables: Persons assigned to Shenyang are entitled to a consumables shipment in addition to their regular household effects shipment. Since some Western products are not available here, we suggest you take advantage of this opportunity to ship your favorite foods and personal needs items; we have included some suggestions below (paragraphs 34-36). Because storage space is limited, we advise that you split up your shipment, half to arrive when you get to post and half to arrive later in your tour. You may arrange the second shipment any time before your last year in Shenyang. You may also include some food items in your airfreight and/or household effects shipment.

----------------- PERSONAL VEHICLES -----------------

18. Out of 14 officers currently in Shenyang, three have chosen to bring cars with them. For those living in the city, a car is generally not necessary; on the other hand, a vehicle is almost required for people living in the suburbs. Taxis in and around Shenyang are ubiquitous (except during inclement weather) and very inexpensive —less than US$1.50 to most places in the city. Also, a Consulate shuttle van currently provides home-to-work transportation for city apartment-dwellers, for a small fee. The advantages of having a car are independence and convenience, and those who have vehicles find that they are useful for visiting other cities nearby. The Chinese government requires us to notify them when we drive on longer trips, but we have never been denied permission. Shenyang to Beijing is a six or seven hour drive.

19. Gas, repairs, traffic, car sales: Unleaded fuel (93 and 97 octane) is available at several locations around the city. You can avoid paying gas tax by using coupons available through the General Services Office, making prices similar to those in the U.S. There are several factory-authorized (Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, etc.) repair shops in Shenyang, but not all of them have good skills. Replacement parts for most Japanese cars and fewer American cars are available, but they are expensive. Good driving skills and nerves of steel are required to cope with the chaotic traffic — both vehicle and pedestrian. Vehicles can be sold only to other diplomats or to local persons or entities with import privileges. It is not easy to sell for U.S. market value.

20. Drivers licenses: Chinese law requires that even if you hold a current American driver’s license, you must pass a locally-administered physical exam to receive a Chinese license. While the process is somewhat tedious, no U.S.-qualified driver at the Consulate has been refused a license.

21. No motorcycles: The Chinese government will not issue plates for vehicles more than 10 years old, diesel vehicles, or motorcycles.

------------- MAIL SERVICES -------------

22. FPO should be used for most of your stateside and international (outside China) mail; this is the quickest, most reliable, and least subject to scrutiny. We generally receive and send FPO mail once a week. Stamps are not sold at the Consulate, but the Internet makes purchasing stamps on-line easy, and we have a postal scale for weighing packages. Pouch mail can only be used for official mailings, e.g. course material. The Chinese system is the least secure and reliable. We also use DHL, which is very good for express services. Please note that given the anthrax problem, pouch mail is subject to irradiation.

23. We use three mailing addresses:

FPO (this is a US domestic address): US Consulate Shenyang PSC 461, Box 45 FPO AP 96521–0002

Pouch: US Consulate Shenyang 4110 Shenyang Place Washington, DC 20521–4110

Chinese post: American Consulate People’s Republic of China 110003 Shenyang Heping District 14 Wei Lu, No. 52

--------------- HEALTH SERVICES ---------------

24. The Consulate has a Health Unit staffed a few hours each week by a locally-hired American nurse. Embassy Beijing has a full-service Health Unit with a Regional Medical Officer (RMO) and a Physician’s Assistant, both of whom make periodic visits to Shenyang. Several local hospitals are skilled though not up to Western standards, and Shenyang has one international-style clinic run by an American doctor. Dental clinics in Beijing serve Westerners.

25. Medicines: The Consulate’s Health Unit stocks a limited amount of “over-the-counter” medicines such as Tylenol, aspirin, cough syrup, antacids — and a variety of medicines commonly prescribed by the RMO such as antibiotics, bandages, topical antifungal ointments, etc. Bring what you would normally stock in your home medical chest or first aid kit. If you are currently being treated for any medical conditions and are taking any prescribed medications, bring sufficient quantities to last for 3–6 months. The RMO can write a new prescription when a renewal is needed and it can be filled by mail. Most people bring their own favorite cough medicines, throat lozenges, cold remedies, and medicines for minor stomach ailments. Also suggested are nose and eye drops, ibuprofen, muscle ache remedies, and ace bandages. Our staff has found that the Internet can be an effective means of ordering medical supplies and cosmetics.

26. Immunizations: Please contact your RMO or the Office of Medical Services (MED) to ensure that you have received all the required immunizations prior to arriving at Post. Be sure that all immunizations are up-to-date and hand carry immunization records (and any other medical records) with you to Post. The State Department immunization unit can either provide these immunizations for you or inform your clinician which immunizations are necessary. Follow-up immunizations can be obtained at Post.

-------------------- SHOPPING IN SHENYANG --------------------

27. Availability and selection of Western items in Shenyang is constantly expanding; what was not available yesterday may be available tomorrow. This section describes the current situation based on our best knowledge. Shenyang has several large shopping centers offering groceries, electronics, clothing, hardware, sports supplies, and just about everything else you can imagine. Shenyang is also home to Wu Ai market, reportedly one of the largest wholesale market in China. Of course, prices and quality vary widely.

28. Fresh foods are available in open-air markets located throughout town. Most employees seem to enjoy doing at least some of their own shopping. Those persons employing maids often have them shop for local products, since the maids usually will get a lower price. Fresh chicken, pork, beef and lamb may be purchased year round. The local markets offer both live and frozen seafood. Dalian seaport, about four hours from Shenyang by train or car, has excellent seafood.

29. Fruits and vegetables: In Shenyang we enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, including the following: bananas, peaches, melons, oranges, tangerines, lemons, watermelon, apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, peanuts, walnuts, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, cabbage (Chinese and round head), onions (bulbs, scallions and sprouts), green peppers, eggplant (snake and pear variety), bean curd, bean sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, radish (white and red), spinach, leaf lettuce, celery, mushrooms, peas, ginger, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, bamboo shoots, and lychee. Produce that is not available or is hard to find includes limes, parsley, cherries, artichokes and iceberg lettuce.

30. Dairy Products: Fresh milk (whole and skim) and UHT cream are available locally, though slightly more expensive than in the U.S. You can also find sweetened yogurt, butter, and more common types of cheese. Good ice cream, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, ricotta and other special cheeses may sometimes be available and may also be purchased in Beijing.

31. Utensils: Some good-quality cooking tools and stainless steel cookware are available locally. The “Liaoning Steel” brand of stainless cookware is comparable to medium-quality U.S. brand stainless. However, many baking utensils are not readily available, so you may want to include pizza pans, cookie sheets and bread and cake pans in your shipment.

32. Baked Goods: Several of the hotels have bakeshops, but most local bakeries offer only cakes and sweetened bread quite different from American tastes. Many of us choose to do our own baking and find that bread machines and bread machine mixes are useful here. Please be aware that not all bread machines will work on transformers. It is possible to purchase 220 volt bread machines from several catalogue companies.

33. Bring an adequate supply of any hobby materials you might need, including art supplies. Many hobby supplies are not available here or in Beijing, but may be ordered over the internet.

34. Beijing shopping: To get a general idea of what is available in Beijing, check out the German butcher and Welcome Supermarket in the basement of the China World Hotel, Jenny Lou’s near PCP, the Friendship Store, and the Embassy Locker (commissary).

35. For your consumables shipment: We have found the following items either unavailable in Shenyang, hard to find or available only in a limited number of varieties: cake mixes, brownie mixes, baking chocolate, coconut, molasses, corn syrup, whole-wheat flour, yeast, baking powder and soda, breakfast cereals, whole bean and ground coffee, bread machine mixes, Western spices, vanilla and other extracts, canned corn, canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix and other holiday foods, special ethnic foods (kosher, Indian ingredients, etc), and diet/health foods (caffeine free, sugar free, fat free).

36. Also consider bringing: household cleaning products, spray disinfectants, dishwasher detergent and rinse agents, liquid laundry detergent, spray starch, water softener and powdered bleach, baking cups (for cupcakes), food coloring, waxed paper, shelf paper/liners, vitamin and mineral supplements, decorative candles, holiday decorations and greeting cards, moisturizing skin creams, cosmetics, feminine hygiene, and dental and hair care products. Water in China is not fluorinated, so families with young children may want to bring fluoride supplement tablets.

37. Available but expensive: The following items are available locally, but some are specialty items marketed for foreigners and are more expensive than in the U.S. In some cases flavors and textures may differ from U.S. brands, and quantities may be limited. If you have favorite brands or use these items in large quantities, you may want to include these items in your shipment: ground coffee, jam/jellies, cocoa, pasta, pasta sauce, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, pickles, some spices, oatmeal, powdered skim or low-fat milk (powdered whole milk is the only kind available locally), evaporated milk, white and brown sugar (the sugar here is damp and coarse and not good for cakes), noodles, juices, feminine hygiene products, dental and hair care products, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, and furniture polish.

-------- CLOTHING --------

38. At work, Consulate officers wear anything from suits to jeans depending on their jobs. Business dress is generally adequate for all official functions. For women, a good “basic black dress” will be enough for most representational occasions. Dry cleaning is available at the hotel for U.S. prices and less expensively at several shops near the Consulate.

39. We have found that Shenyang’s ready-made clothing is usually not available in our size or style. We have purchased some items in Beijing, but only as supplements to our wardrobe. Bring all your immediate clothing needs, including shoes (running shoes are available locally in smaller sizes). Catalog and Internet shopping have been useful to meet American tastes.

40. We have hired tailors fairly inexpensively. Wool, silk, cotton and polyester fabrics are available on the local market in a variety of styles and colors. Local zippers, buttons, thread, hooks, catches, and elastic are not of U.S. quality. You may wish to bring an assortment of sewing supplies, as colors, sizes and styles here are limited.

41. The occasions for formal evening wear in Shenyang are infrequent. We are welcome to attend the Marine Ball in Beijing or in Shanghai. The 150-member International Club of Shenyang also holds an annual formal dinner-dance.

-------------------- CLIMATE, AIR QUALITY --------------------

42. Shenyang has four distinct seasons: Mild springs and autumns alternate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average daily high temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes the temperature drops as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. From November through March, Shenyang’s average precipitation is only 2.25 inches per month, with occasional snowfalls. Bring insulated underwear, warm hats, lined boots and gloves, and heavy coats. Several department stores in Shenyang sell goosedown coats very inexpensively. Silk long johns and fur hats are also available locally.

43. Air quality in Shenyang, once famously bad, has improved steadily to the level of an average big city in a developing country. Although fewer in number each year, some people and industries in Shenyang burn soft coal for cooking and heating. In addition, for about one month in the spring the “yellow wind” blows in dust from the Western deserts. Air filters and humidifiers are provided for each apartment to improve air quality, but many people still suffer minor sinus ailments especially during winter months.

------------------------ FAMILY MEMBER EMPLOYMENT ------------------------

44. There are five jobs at the Consulate with preferential hiring for family members. One challenge is getting security clearances before people begin working. Please contact the Admin Officer for more information on family member employment at the Consulate. Most employment opportunities outside the Consulate center around teaching English. The Shenyang International Club also provides volunteer service opportunities.

We trust this cable addresses most of your immediate questions. Again, feel free to contact us for any additional information you might need. Everyone at post looks forward to your arrival.

Notes For Travelers

Getting to the Post Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:45 AM

Most personnel arrive at post either through Detroit or San Francisco, and, for all newly assigned Consulate General employees and their adult dependents, via 1 day of consultations in Beijing. If your passport still contains a Taiwan (“Republic of China”) visa, apply to the Passport Office for new passports. All personnel require diplomatic passports, with a multiple-entry diplomatic visa.

Beijing is serviced daily by U.S. carriers United and Northwest from the U.S. and Tokyo, but you should check which contract carrier is currently serving the U.S. Government to Beijing. No U.S. carriers currently arrive from Europe, though there are several that code share with U.S. carriers.

China’s customs will not release airfreight or household effects until they see a complete packing list prepared by the original packer and a statement of value, prepared at the point of origin. Mail these documents to your corresponding post’s administrative or general services officer by the fastest available means. Originating posts should also place copies of these documents in an envelope and fasten them securely to the outside of any freight container.

Consumables Shipment. Because of the scarcity and poor quality of much food and household items in the more remote areas of China, employees assigned to the Consulates General are authorized consumables shipments at U.S. Government expense. As of 1991, Beijing no longer has a consumables allowance, and as products and food items become more available in China, this allowance may also be dropped at the constituent posts. Individuals assigned to a Consulate General should check with the Department of State post management officer as to whether an allowance is still in effect for their post of assignment.

Weight allowances for consumables are reflected on employees’ travel authorizations. The weight authorized for consumables is in addition to authorized limits for personal and household effects. Consumables, although weighed separately, can be packed and sent with household effects. Many employees do not need to use their full allowance for consumables and can manage very well by sending only paper products, cleaning supplies of all varieties, toiletries, baby and pet foods, insecticides, and certain special canned and dry goods of personal preference. They supplement their consumables with the increasing amounts of fresh foods available on the local economy.

In the Washington, D.C. area, consumables can be purchased at a local supermarket, and the moving company can pick them up and pack them. Wholesale outlets may sell caselots at lower than supermarket prices. The addresses of some outlets are:

Ho Ho Cash and Carry Newington Warehouse Foods PO Box 16 Newington, Virginia 22122 (703) 550–7542; 550–7543

Giant Food Stores Washington, D.C.

J & J Exports, Inc. 6603 Bay Street Emeryville, California 94608 (415) 652-5445 Telex 798107 Fax (415) 653–3492

Since storing a large shipment of consumables may be inconvenient with limited storage space, the purchase and delivery of some of your consumables allowance may be delayed until after arrival at post. If you do not ship your maximum allowance before you depart your present post, the Department will still pay for the balance of the shipment, but only within 1 year of the employee’s arrival at post.

Specific Guidance by Post

Beijing Household effects (HHE) should be shipped to:

(Name of the Employee) Embassy of the United States Xiu Shui Bei Jie #3 Beijing People’s Republic of China via Port of Xingang

All vehicles (POV) should be shipped directly to Port of Xingang via container and consigned similar to the household effects shipments being sent directly to Xingang (see above).

Airfreight (UAB) takes 3–4 weeks to reach Beijing. Consignments should be marked as follows:

(Name of Employee) Embassy of the United States Xiu Shui Bei Jie #3 Beijing People’s Republic of China

Some people assigned to Beijing may spend a few weeks waiting for permanent quarters, so UAB should be packed accordingly. Permanent quarters are adequately furnished and have little storage space. Employees must take delivery of their shipments when assigned to permanent quarters. The Embassy has some Hospitality Kits that contain basic household items to use until your effects arrive.

Guangzhou Shipment of household effects (HHE), airfreight (UAB), and personally owned vehicle (POV) destined for Consulate General Guangzhou should be routed via Hong Kong to the Port of Xinfeng, Guangzhou, and should be addressed as below. The Consulate General should receive early notification of incoming shipments.

Guangzhou (Employee’s Name) American Consulate General Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China

Shanghai Household effects (HHE), unaccompanied baggage (UAB), and personally owned vehicle (POV) shipments for Consulate General Shanghai should be addressed as follows:

(Employee’s Name) American Consulate General 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Lu Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Prior to arrival, send an original bill of lading, a complete packing list, and notification of the number and weight of liftvans to expedite customs clearance procedures.

Shenyang Unaccompanied airfreight (UAB), household effects (HHE), privately owned vehicle (POV), and consumables originating outside China and destined for Shenyang must be cleared through the Chinese Customs Office in Shenyang. This can be accomplished only after the employee has arrived at post and has been registered with the Foreign Affairs Office. Advise the post in advance of the total number of pieces of each UAB, HHE, and consumables shipment entering China. In addition, the local Customs Office will require itemized packing lists—in English—provided by the packer, for each shipment. Please send, via DHL, packing lists for each shipment to the Consulate, Attn: Administrative Officer. Also hand carry a copy of packing lists to post.

Personal automobile (POV) shipments do not have to be crated. Shipping instructions are otherwise the same as for HHE.

Consumables shipping instructions are the same as for HHE. Ensure that consumables items that could be damaged by freezing are not shipped during or immediately prior to the winter months.

Household effects (HHE), consumables, and POV markings should be as follows:

(Name of Employee) c/o American Consulate General No. 52, 14th Wei Road Heping District Shenyang, P.R.C. (via Dalian).

Airfreight shipment (UAB) markings should be as follows:

(Name of Employee) c/o American Consulate General No. 52, 14th Wei Road Heping District Shenyang, P.R.C.

UAB shipments to Shenyang International Airport should be banded and not exceed 4’x4’x4’ in dimensions.

Chengdu All surface shipments are forwarded to Chengdu from Hong Kong via rail. For purposes of consolidation, maximum size and weight of any one case should not exceed 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lbs.) and 2 cubic meters.

Surface shipments of household effects (HHE), consumables, and personal automobiles (POV) should be marked as follows:

(Name of Employee) American Consulate General, Chengdu, P.R.C. c/o Crown Pacific Crown Pacific Building 9-11 Yuen On Street Siu Lee Yuen, Shatin, New Territories Hong Kong

Unaccompanied airfreight (UAB) should be marked as follows:

(Name of Employee) American Consulate General Chengdu, People’s Republic of China.

UAB should be packed to conform with Chinese domestic regulations. Otherwise, items may have to be broken down in Hong Kong or Beijing and repacked. No one piece may exceed 200 kilos (440 lbs.) in weight or 120 cm x 50 cm x 60 cm in dimension.

Unaccompanied air freight (UAB), household effects (HHE), and consumables originating outside China and destined for Shenyang must be cleared through the Chinese Customs Office in Shenyang. This can only be accomplished after the employee has arrived at post and has been registered with the Foreign Affairs Office. Advise the post in advance of the total number of pieces of each shipment for UAB, HHE, and consumables entering China. In addition, the local Customs Office will require itemized packing lists—in English—provided by the packer, for each shipment. Please send via DHL packing lists for each shipment to the Consulate General, Attn: Administrative Officer. Also hand carry a copy of packing lists to post.

Personal automobile (POV) shipments do not have to be crated. Shipping instructions are otherwise the same as for HHE. Note that unleaded gasoline is available in Shenyang.

Consumable shipping instructions are the same as for HHE. Ensure that consumable items that could be damaged by freezing are not shipped during or immediately prior to the winter months. It is not unusual for shipments to be held at port for 30–45 days, or even longer, while paperwork is processed. Do not pack laundry and other detergent-type products in the same crate as food packaged in cardboard or paper containers due to the danger of odor contamination. “Bounce” brand fabric softening sheets are a particular problem.

Household effects, consumable, and vehicle markings should be as follows:

(Name of Employee) c/o American Consulate General No. 52, 14th Wei Road Heping District Shenyang, P.R.C. (via Dalian).

Airfreight shipment (UAB) markings should be as follows:

(Name of Employee) c/o American Consulate General No. 52, 14th Wei Road Heping District Shenyang, P.R.C.

UAB shipments to Shenyang International Airport should be banded and not exceed 4’x 4’x 4’ in dimension.

Surface shipments are forwarded to Chengdu from Hong Kong via rail. Containers should not exceed 12.5m x 2.9m. Your freight needs to fit inside a 20’ or 40’ container. Surface shipments of household effects and consumable items should be marked as follows:

(Name of Employee) American Consulate General, Chengdu, P.R.C. c/o Crown Worldwide Ltd. Room 2105, Citimark, 28 Yuen Shun Circuit, Siu Lek Yuen, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, China Tel.: (852) 2946–9188 Fax: (852) 2637–0186

Personal automobiles information to include on the shipping document:

Year: year the car was manufactured Make: name of the car manufacturer Model: model of the car Color: color of the car VIN: Vehicle Identification Number (engine number and frame number)

Unaccompanied airfreight (UAB) should be marked as follows:

(Name of Employee) American Consulate General Chengdu, People’s Republic of China.

Weight and Size Limitations for UAB: No one piece may exceed weight of 80kgs or 180 lbs. No one piece may exceed 40cm x 60cm x 100cm in dimension.

Customs, Duties, and Passage

Customs and Duties Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:47 AM

No unusual entry or exit restrictions exist for those with diplomatic passports. All personnel assigned to U.S. Embassy Beijing must have valid diplomatic visas from the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) before arrival in country. Personnel assigned to Consulates General will be issued diplomatic or “service” visas. Personnel issued service visas enjoy duty-free privileges for the first 6 months of their tour only.

If you are bringing any antiques, especially if they are Oriental or items made of gold, silver, or precious gems, the Chinese customs officials request that a specific and itemized list be submitted to them, thus ensuring their legality upon departure. Since you may not want to identify these items on a packing list, you may wait until your arrival before providing the itemized list, but you must present it to customs within 10 days of the shipment’s arrival.

Chinese currency (RMB) may not be brought into or taken out of China. Traveler’s checks, Hong Kong dollars, and U.S. currency may be exchanged at international airports, hotels, and government shops operating exclusively for foreigners. Keep your receipts for any exchange transaction, since most exchange points require an official exchange certificate to reconvert RMB to U.S. dollars.

The Embassy cashes personal checks for local currency and U.S. dollars for official personnel. The American Employees Association (AEA) sells U.S. traveler’s checks.

Customs, Duties, and Passage

Passage Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:48 AM

All personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing or to one of the four Consulates General must have a valid entry visa for the P.R.C. in their diplomatic passports.

Diplomatic passports are required to obtain diplomatic identification cards (a “red” card) as well as Chinese driver’s licenses. Personnel should bring a dozen 2” x 2” photographs. Photos can also be taken at post upon arrival.

Customs, Duties, and Passage

Pets Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:49 AM

Dogs. On May 1, 1995, the Beijing Municipal Government implemented new regulations (limitations on size and breeds) strictly controlling the registration of dogs in urban areas. These highly restrictive rules, subject to change at any time, apply to diplomatic personnel as well as Chinese citizens. Updated and current restrictions are outlined in the “TM-Two: Welcome to Post” cable. Embassy Beijing recommends personnel not bring dogs to post.

Cats. There are no similar restrictions against cats; however there is a 1,000 RMB fee (US$118), payable at customs, and a general rule holding that only one pet per employee may be imported.

Procedure for importing pets into China via Beijing. Personnel importing pets are advised to contact GSO/shipping or the CLO to receive the latest information concerning the shipment of pets. Additionally, contact the airlines early, as they often have their own restrictions. Certain pets are not allowed in China. At a minimum, the APHIS Form 7001 should be completed and certified by a USDA-approved veterinarian. Quarantine procedures can be completed at the airport. While Chinese regulations call for a 1-month quarantine for pets in Chinese designated facilities, health officials at the airport so far are allowing owners to “quarantine” the pet at home but admonish owners to keep the pet indoors at all times and inform owners that during the month health officials have the right to come to the apartment to “inspect” the pet. Several employees were visited in 2000.

Updated information can be obtained in the TM-Two or by contacting the GSO/T or CLO at the U.S. Embassy.

Note for travelers from Hong Kong: The China Travel Service will not send unaccompanied pets from Hong Kong. You must make arrangements to ship your pet on a direct air route to Beijing.

Personnel transiting Beijing to other posts: Only one hotel, the Sino-Swiss, which is located near the airport, accepts pets. Embassy Beijing will make arrangements with prior notice of arrival.

Guangzhou. Hotel and apartment residents are prohibited from keeping any pets (birds or fish may be excepted). Personnel assigned to Guangzhou should see that section in this report for detailed information on pets.

Shanghai. Technically, dogs are not allowed in the municipal area of Shanghai; however, some staff members have brought their pets with them. Personnel assigned to Shanghai should see that section in this report for detailed information on pets.

Shenyang. Permission must be granted by local municipal authorities before Consulate personnel are allowed to bring pets to Shenyang. Personnel assigned to Shenyang should see that section in this report for detailed information on pets.

Chengdu. Although pets are normally prohibited in Chengdu, local officials will grant exceptions to Consulate personnel who wish to bring in a small dog or cat. The animals, however, are confined to the Consulate General area. There are no local kennels or veterinarians. Personnel assigned to Chengdu should see that section in this report for detailed information on pets.

Firearms and Ammunition Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:49 AM

The Ambassador has determined that no firearms may be brought to China.

Currency, Banking, and Weights and Measures Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:50 AM

The local currency used by foreigners and the general population is the Renminbi (RMB). The currency is based on a decimal system. The basic unit is the Yuan. The Yuan is divided into 10 Jiao; the Jiao is further divided into 10 Fen.

RMB come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, and 100 Yuan notes; 1, 2, and 5 Jiao notes; 1, 2, and 5 Fen notes and coins. There are also 1 Yuan coins. The exchange rate is fixed by the People’s Bank of China (Central Bank) and does not fluctuate much. The rate of exchange is listed in financial newspapers. Current rate of exchange is 8.265 Renminbi=US$1 (December 2001).

The commercial banking sector is growing rapidly. However, it cannot yet offer the same level of services available elsewhere in the world. Generally, employees purchase RMB from the Embassy cashier. Local money can be exchanged for dollars at the end of an employee’s tour, with approval from the Administrative Minister-Counselor. ATM machines are beginning to appear in Beijing at the major international hotels and retail outlets that cater to the expatriate population. The larger hotels in China and a growing number of stores accept major credit cards.

China’s weights and measures are based on the metric system. The most common unit of weight, however, is the “jin,” which is equivalent to one-half kilo.

Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of Property Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:50 AM

Diplomatic passport holders and those who are accredited to the Consulates General as Consular General officials may import personal property tax-free at any time. Consulate General staff who are considered technical and administrative staff may import duty free for the first 6 months of their tours.

Personal property and automobiles may be sold only within the diplomatic or consular community or, as a matter of last resort, to the authorized P.R.C. Government purchasing agency. Sales to private individuals are not authorized. The Embassy will convert yuan received to dollars, as provided for in Department of State Regulations.

Travelers checks are available through the American Employees’Association (AEA) of Beijing to association members. All major bank travelers checks can be cashed at the Bank of China and at other exchange counters in hotels and stores. Personal checks are not usually cashed at the Bank of China or at other exchange counters in hotels and stores. Personal checks may be cashed at the Embassy cashier’s office by official personnel but are not accepted elsewhere. The Embassy does not maintain a large supply of U.S. currency. Dollars are provided on a limited basis to official personnel and their dependents who are traveling out of China and will need foreign exchange.

Recommended Reading Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:55 AM

These titles are provided as a general indication of the material published in this country. The Department of State does not endorse unofficial publications.

Guidebooks China, A Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. 1996.

The Beijing Guidebook. Middle Kingdom Press, 1998

Other Works Bernstein, Richard and Ross H. Munro. The Coming Conflict With China. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997.

Cheng, Nien. Life and Death in Shanghai. New York: State Books, 1986.

Faribank, John K. China: A New History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992.

Fairbank, John K. The United States and China. 4th ed. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1983

Harding, Harry. A Fragile Relationship: The United States and China Since 1972. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institute, 1992.

Harding, Harry. China’s Second Revolution—Reform After Mao. Washington, D.C: Brookings, 1987.

Huang, Ray. China: A Macrohistory. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1997.

Hucker, Charles O. China to 1850: A Short History. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1997.

MacFarquar, Roderick, ed. The Politics of China: The Eras of Mao & Deng. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997.

MacKerras, Colin and Amanda Yorke. The Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.

Ropp, Paul S., ed. Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilization. Berkeley: University of California, 1990.

Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1991.

Theroux, Paul. Riding the Iron Rooster. By Train Through China. New York: G.P.’s Putnam’s Sons, 1988

Tuchman, Barbara. Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911–45. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.,1971.

Internet Addresses U.S. Embassy in China includes political issues, economic issues, commercial affairs, agricultural issues, visa questions, services to American citizens, and science and technology: http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn.

For free subscription, E-mail to Xianzai@ListServe.com with subscribe as the subject. Web site: www.xianzai.com. Weekly news and advertisements for cultural, social activities, classified, jobs, for sale, housing, services, and more.

ICIC web site: www.cbw.com/icic. “Online magazine” by the International Community in China.

Beijing Sports and Recreation Council (BSCR) expatriate organization of volunteers who coordinate sports and recreation opportunities for children and teens in Beijing. Web site: www.angelfire.com/ri/expatsportrec.

Department of State, Family Liaison Office web site: www.state.gov/www/flo/, which is linked to “The Art of International Living” www.artinliving.com), an online bimonthly newsletter for international communities living overseas; “Expat Exchange,” an online resource for information, employment, services and shopping overseas, “Foreign Service Lifelines, (www.kreative.net/fslifelines) web-site created by Foreign Service spouses; “Foreign Service Youth Foundation Around the World in a Lifetime” (AWAL) which provides information, advocacy, and activities for internationally mobile youth; and “TCK World” web site for the support and understanding of Third Culture Kids (TCKs).

Local Holidays Last Updated: 12/11/2003 9:56 AM

The following holidays are observed:

New Year’s Day January 1* Martins Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday January 18** Spring Festival February (dates vary)*** President’s Day February 15** International Labor Day (May Day) Varies*** Memorial Day May 31** Independence Day July 5** Labor Day September 6** Chinese National Day October 1, 2*** Columbus Day October 11** Veterans Day November 11** Thanksgiving Day November 25** Christmas Day December 25**

Avoid arriving in Beijing on Chinese holidays.

* Chinese and American holiday ** American holiday *** Chinese holiday