RISKS OF LIVING AND WORKING IN CHINA

MISHINGO FUTURE IYE MOCHAKULA

ABSTRACT
There are two countries in the world whose culture has the historical depth, confidence, and population spread to make them hold-outs in a world that is increasingly homogenous, and those are India and China. Both are attractive in different ways for Westerners seeking experience living and working in a different culture. China, the subject of this report, attracts foreigners by its past and present profile: an old eastern culture that is rapidly rising to take its place among the world’s greatest modern civilizations, a stature that is all the more intriguing given the way it is blazing its own path in terms of the social contract. Do not be dissuaded by an element of bad press in the West; news tends to wallow in the alternative reality of political drama, while the realities on the street are something quite else. Chinese people are indeed largely welcoming and open, and opportunities abound for the astute.
Yet China is not easy. Strange food, different ways of doing things, different social contracts and expectations, uneven levels of development and modernity, and the widespread inability to communicate in English all combine to make China a hard country to move to. But for those who brave the adversities, and immerse themselves into China, the rewards are undeniable—at the very least you learn something about different ways of seeing and something about a culture that has been innovative throughout much of its history.

POLLUTION
Pollution is one aspect of the broader topic of environmental issues in China. Various forms of pollution have increased as China has industrialized, which has caused widespread environmental and health problems

Air pollution

Thick haze blown off the Eastern coast of China, over Bo Hai Bay and Yellow Sea. The haze might result from urban and industrial pollution.

Air pollution has become a major issue in China, and poses a threat to Chinese public health. Coal combustion generates particular also known as "PM". Currently, Beijing is suffering from PM2.5, which is a particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such fine particles can cause asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and painful breathing, and may also lead to premature death.The Telegraph reported a case of an 8-year-old girl who had contracted lung cancer, becoming the youngest victim of lung cancer in China. Doctors pointed out that the likely cause was exposure of air pollution, specifically fine particulates from vehicles. The case has gathered large national public attention and also international attention.
Zhong Nasha, the president of the China Medical Association, warned in 2012 that air pollution could become China's biggest health threat. Lung cancer and cardiovascular disease were increasing because of factory and vehicle air pollution and tobacco smoking. Lung cancer was two to three times more common in cities than in the countryside despite similar rates of tobacco smoking. Zhong stated that while transparency had increased in recent years much more information was needed, and called for detailed epidemiological research. He questioned official data stating that air pollution was decreasing. Until recently the governmental air quality index did not include ozone and PM2.5, despite these being the most dangerous to human health. Measurements in January 2013 showed that levels of air pollution, as measured by the density of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres in size, were beyond index – higher than the maximum 755 μg the US Embassy's equipment can measure.Smog from mainland China has been observed to reach as far as California.
Sulfur Dioxide emissions increased until 2006, after which they began to decline. This was accompanied by improvements on several related variables such as the frequency of acid rainfall. The adoption by power plants of sulfur reducing technology was likely the main reason for the reduced SO2 emissions.
Large scale use of formaldehyde in construction and furniture also contributes to indoor air pollution.

Water pollution
The water resources of China are affected by both severe water shortages and severe water pollution. An increasing population and rapid economic growth as well as lax environmental oversight have increased water demand and pollution. In response, China has taken measures such as rapidly building out the water infrastructure and increased regulation as well as exploring a number of further technological solutions

Industrial pollution Air pollution caused by industrial plants
In 1997, the World Bank issued a report targeting China's policy towards industrial pollution. The report stated that "hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness [have been] caused by exposure to industrial air pollution. Seriously contaminated by industrial discharges, many of China's waterways are largely unfit for direct human use". However, the report did acknowledge that environmental regulations and industrial reforms had had some effect. It was determined that continued environmental reforms were likely to have a large effect on reducing industrial pollution.
In a 2007 article about China's pollution problem, the New York Timesstated that "Environmental degradation is now so severe, with such stark domestic and international repercussions, that pollution poses not only a major long-term burden on the Chinese public but also an acute political challenge to the ruling Communist Party." The article's main points included: 1. According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution has made cancer China’s leading cause of death. 2. Every year, ambient air pollution alone killed hundreds of thousands of citizens. 3. 500 million people in China are without safe and clean drinking water. 4. Only 1% of the country’s 560 million city dwellers breathe air considered safe by the European Union, because all of its major cities are constantly covered in a "toxic gray shroud". Before and during the 2008 summer olympics, Beijing was "frantically searching for a magic formula, a meteorological deus ex machina, to clear its skies for the 2008 Olympics." 5. Lead poisoning or other types of local pollution continue to kill many Chinese children. 6. A large section of the ocean is without marine life because of massive algal blooms caused by the high nutrients in the water. 7. The pollution has spread internationally: sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides fall as acid rain on Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo; and according to the Journal of Geophysical Research, the pollution even reaches Los Angeles in the USA. 8. The Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning in 2003 produced an unpublished internal report which estimated that 300,000 people die each year from ambient air pollution, mostly of heart disease and lung cancer. 9. Chinese environmental experts in 2005 issued another report, estimating that annual premature deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution were likely to reach 380,000 in 2010 and 550,000 in 2020. 10. A 2007 World Bank report conducted with China's national environmental agency found that "...outdoor air pollution was already causing 350,000 to 400,000 premature deaths a year. Indoor pollution contributed to the deaths of an additional 300,000 people, while 60,000 died from diarrhea, bladder and stomach cancer and other diseases that can be caused by water-borne pollution." World Bank officials said "China’s environmental agency insisted that the health statistics be removed from the published version of the report, citing the possible impact on 'social stability'".
A draft of a 2007 combined World Bank and SEPA report stated that up to 760,000 people died prematurely each year in China because of air and water pollution. High levels of air pollution in China's cities caused to 350,000-400,000 premature deaths. Another 300,000 died because of indoor air of poor quality. There were 60,000 premature deaths each year because of water of poor quality. Chinese officials asked that some of results should not be published in order to avoid social unrest.
China has made some improvements in environmental protection during recent years. According to the World Bank, 'China is one of a few countries in the world that have been rapidly increasing their forest cover. It is managing to reduce air and water pollution. LANGUAGE BARRIER
The majority of the people of The Peoples republic of china speak Mandarin and little english.
Communicating in China can be a challenge for first-time visitors . And while the language barrier in China can be frustrating at times, there are many ways to work around not having a common language. Embracing the difference can be fun, adventurous, and rewarding!
Nothing can be more frustrating than trying to learn a tonal language. To untrained ears, you’re saying the word correctly, however, no one seems to understand. Add to this the fact that most words in the Chinese language are very short and deceivingly simple, often only three letters long! Knowing a few words in Mandarin will certainly enhance your china experience, however, don’t expect everyone to understand your initial attempts.
CRIME IN CHINA
Crime is present in various forms in China. Common forms of crime include corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, human trafficking, and circulation of fake currencies. China also has a large black market, due in part to government regulations which make certain items difficult to legally obtain, and the mass production of fake goods.
Official statistics would certainly suggest that crime in China is extremely low. Murder rates in China are roughly one-fifth as high as in the United States. According to the official crime statistics there, all crimes are rare. China certainly feels safe. We walked the streets in rich areas and poor and not for a moment did I ever feel threatened. Graffiti was completely absent. The one instance where I thought I finally found some graffiti near a train station in the city of Shangrao, the spray painted message on a bridge turned out not to be graffiti, but rather a government warning that anyone caught defecating under the bridge would be severely punished.
Yet, there were all sorts of odd behaviors that made it seem like some crimes were a big problem.

Murder
In 2011, the reported murder rate in China was 1.0 per 100,000 people, with 13,410 murders. The murder rate in 2010 was 1.1.
Corruption
The PRC is ruled by the Communist Party of China ,Corruption is common among government employees.Between 1978 and 2003, an estimated $50 billion was smuggled out of the country by corrupt officials. A legal verdict can be changed from guilt to innocence, death sentence can turn into not-guilty verdict and length of prison terms can be reduced by bribing officials.
The armed forces employs naval vessels and airplanes for various smuggling activities. The police stations often open covert gambling houses, or they can provide protection for them. In 2009, 106,000 public officials in China were convicted of corruption.
Coercion
Various types of violent crime have become common in PRC. Restaurants and hotels in the country extort high prices from guests, and those who show resistance are beaten or detained. Threatening of opponents in business operations is common.
Human trafficking
China is a supply, transit and destination country for women, men, and children trafficked for various purposes. The majority of trafficking in PRC is internal and this domestic trafficking is the most significant human trafficking problem in the country. Approximately 10,000-20,000 victims are trafficked each year.[not in citation given] There is also international trafficking of Chinese citizens.
Women are lured through false promises of legitimate employment into commercial sexual exploitation in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Chinese men are smuggled to countries throughout the world for exploitative labor.Women and children are trafficked into PRC from Mongolia, Burma, North Korea, russia, and vietnam for forced labor and sexual slavery.
Drug trade
PRC is a major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden triangle .Growing domestic drug abuse is a significant problem in PRC .Available estimates place the domestic spending on illegal drugs to be $17 billion.
Domestic violence
China has a high rate of domestic violence. In 2004, the All Chinas Womens Federation compiled survey results to show that thirty percent of the women in China experienced domestic violence within their homes.
The true extent of domestic violence is unclear due to the lack of related law and execution of the law. The Chinese government is in the process of "planning" to pass a "draft of anti-domestic violence law".
Crime dynamics
Illegal guns
Criminal organizations have acquired more weapons and vehicles which are often of better quality than that of the police force.In 1995, more than 100,000 illegal small arms were captured nationwide. From January to July 1996, approximately 300,000 illegal small arms were seized from fourteen provinces of the country.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes
China is located in an active seismic zone and can experience major earthquakes.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck parts of Xinjiang on 12 February 2014. Take care and follow the advice of the local authorities.
To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see the US Federal Emergency Management Agency Website
Latest tsunami warnings can be found on the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre Website
Flooding
Flooding is common during the wet season (May to November). Large areas of central, southern and western China, particularly those bordering the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) experienced severe flooding in June 2011. Gansu Province experienced major flooding in May 2012. Heavy rains also triggered landslides in Zhejiang and Hubei provinces. In July 2012, Guizhou Province and Beijing were similarly affected. Monitor local weather reports and follow any evacuation orders.
Typhoons
The typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting in particular the southern and eastern coastal regions of China. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency and the China Meteorological association websites.
Avoid visiting isolated or rural areas if a typhoon system is forecast. There are sometimes large-scale evacuations, particularly in the coastal regions of southern China. You should follow the advice of the local authorities. Air travel and other forms of transport can be affected. Check with your airline or travel operator for further details and try to keep in touch with family and friends.
See the FCO’s Tropical Cyclone page for advice about what to do if you are caught up in a typhoon.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
I've got to say there are so many differences between China and the West, for they represent completely different value towards personal and social developments…Here I list some of the most obvious and symbolic ones that represent Chinese and Western(mainly America) cultures
Mainstream value:
Chinese value "family bond" and "collective power" They encourage children to put others' interest at the first place and always pay a visit to their gramma's house every weekend.
In Western world, take the America as an example, they value individualism. They encourage you to"show yourself"and "be different" instead of thinking"Oh!This is the latest iPhone7!I don't mind getting up at 3 o'clock and waiting in line for next 3 hours to show off in front of friends", which,ironically, is the typical Chinese way of thinking.

Education
In most Chinese classrooms,students listen to their teachers carefully and take notes.If they have difficulty understanding a problem, they tend not to interrupt and wait until the class is over.
Also , Chinese high schools have strict rules about students behaviors and especially when it comes to how they wear.No decorations allowed,no mobile phones,only uniforms, no fighting, no drinking…In short:DO WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO.
In American classrooms, they have much more freedom. They hold parties, proms, sorority…And teachers encourage students to ask questions and debating (critical thinking)is what most Western students are good at.Also, they write papers instead of doing "multiple tasks"

Family
In China , the divorce rate is much lower than Western countries. But it is continuing to get higher, since more and more Chinese women are getting higher edu.
Chinese people like to make friends with those who have a good family background, since they bring them more opportunities or money, and that kind of social relationships are important to get to a higher social status.
In Western countries, they may value more of "social networking" .what kind of friends with what kind of potentials are important for one to distinguish. But they both reward "hard work".

That is all I can think of right now. I believe there are more differences in people's ways of looking at things and judging beauty.But whatever cultures you like/hate, they are not perfect.In fact, nothing is perfect.

CONCLUSION
For many foreigners living in China, they eventually come to a realization they will never be fully accepted, fully integrated into the Chinese culture. They will always be foreigners. Where we as Africans have a history of assimilating different nationalities and cultures, the China as it exists today is rife with nationalism. Things can turn sour at the drop of a hat or an island, and whatever gains and successes you achieve in China in career and business, it should be a given that you have your “escape plan” in place for when that day of “China fatigue” hits you and you’re ready to move on. And that day will more than likely come. For some it’s a few months, for others years.
So should you “Go East, Young Man/Woman” for work? For a new career start? If you have the desire, the true desire, to get after it and make it count for something then yes, make the jump. But don’t be ignorant of the current political scene in China and their attitudes towards foreigners.

REFERENCES
• Chesneaux, Jean. China: The People's Republic, 1949-1976. (Tr., Paul Auster and Lydia Davis.) New York: Pantheon, 1979.
• Clubb, O. Edmund, et al. "The People's Republic of China, 1976," Current History, 71, No. 419, September I976, 49ff.
• Coye, Molly Joel, and Jon Livingston (eds.). China Yesterday and Today. (2d ed.) New York: Bantam Books, 1979.
• Susan Debra Blum, Lionel M. Jensen (2002). China Off Center: Mapping the Margins of the Middle Kingdom. University of Hawaii Press.
• Wang, Peng (2013). "The rise of the Red Mafia in China: a case study of organised crime and corruption in Chongqing". Trends in Organized Crime
• Wedeman, Andrew (2013). "The challenge of commercial bribery and organized crime in China". Journal of Contemporary China
• China Daily. 18 August 2004. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
• Curruption among china Government Officials. news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2013.