How much does it cost to live in China? Detailed price overview

Culture and traditions

Of all the civilizations on our planet, Chinese is the most ancient. The people and their culture are over 5000 years old. Perhaps everything produced by humanity before the 19th century has some relation to China. The first gunpowder, throwing siege engines, silk, paper, compass, printing, even vodka (based on hawthorn) appeared here. Archaeologists have discovered a strong drink in layers dating back 9,000 years! Chinese culture is steeped in the teachings of Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism and Lamaism. The East significantly influences the way the Chinese live. Here is a special attitude towards traditional values:

• cult of respect for elders;
• reverent attitude towards marriage;
• patriarchal parenting;
• inequality between men and women.

This list can be continued for a long time. It is important to understand that life in the Middle Kingdom will require the acceptance of all traditional norms. Therefore, the first months will be difficult for an immigrant from Europe here.

Chinese life expectancy

In some mountainous areas of Tibet, it is rumored that there are monks who have been in a trance and have not died for more than 200-300 years. However, overall, the most populous country in the world is only 53rd on the list in terms of life expectancy. According to information provided by WHO, the average Chinese person dies at 76.1 years of age.

Official data on how many people live in China were published after the 2010 census. Then the figure was 1.3 billion people. The next census is scheduled for 2021. However, already now, according to UN demographic services, 1.4 billion people live in the Middle Kingdom.

Chinese

Officially, what 92% of Chinese residents (ethnic Han) speak is called a single dialect. Nevertheless, linguists recognize that modern Chinese (Sino-Tibetan group) consists of several dozen dialects. Official writing is an artificial simplification. But hieroglyphs are understandable in all regions and are easier to remember by foreigners. Let's look at how ordinary people live in China. Below is an analysis of the main set of indicators of the population's well-being.

Assessing your chances of immigrating to China

The fashion for moving to China appeared about 15 years ago. During this time, hundreds of Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians managed to buy housing here, find decently paid jobs, and arrange their personal lives. However, not everyone manages to feel like they belong in a foreign country. Often, an obstacle to assimilation in the Celestial Empire is ignorance of the language and rejection of the peculiarities of life of local residents, and these reasons have been cited more and more often in recent years.

For many, overcrowding is a big problem. More than 1.3 billion people live in the country today, so immigrants must understand that they will have to live in a large human anthill. However, some people even like it. The consequence of high population density is environmental problems, high congestion of urban infrastructure and high competition for employment.

However, a more serious obstacle to immigration is the nuances of local legislation, which make it almost impossible to obtain Chinese citizenship. The fact is that it is given “by blood”. In other words, only those who have at least one of their parents were Chinese by nationality can become a citizen of the Middle Kingdom.

Otherwise, there is practically no chance of obtaining citizenship. It is quite possible to go to the Celestial Empire, live and work there, but you will not be able to become fully naturalized. In this case, only those who make a significant contribution to the development of the country will be able to become a Chinese citizen by:

• multi-million dollar investments in the economy;
• making significant scientific discoveries;
• achieving outstanding results in other fields.

the cost of living

In general, prices in China correspond in level to those in Russian provincial cities. Food is extremely cheap here and public transport fares are moderate. It is quite difficult to find rental housing. In general, the cost of living in China is quite consistent with the income indicators of the population. A priori, an employed city dweller cannot be poor. In rural areas the situation is worse.

Product prices

The cost of living in China is not officially regulated. However, the actual minimum wage is 2000 yuan per month. What does this money mean? Let's start with the grocery basket.

The exchange rate of the yuan against the ruble is 1:10. Prices for many products are cheaper than the Russian average.

Real estate

The country with the world's largest population is struggling with a housing shortage. In urban areas, almost everywhere the minimum cost per square meter has exceeded the $1,000 level. For the same price you can rent a two-room apartment for a month in a middle area of ​​a large metropolis. The authorities set restrictions on the purchase of housing by foreigners:

• you must live in China for more than a year;
• It is prohibited to buy more than 1 apartment;
• you cannot purchase real estate in poor neighborhoods;
• There is a ban on commercial use of housing by foreigners.

These restrictions must be taken into account when planning to move to China.

Table: life in China: pros and cons

To become a successful person in the Middle Kingdom, you need to completely dissolve in the local culture and accept the values ​​of the people living on its territory. Otherwise, immigration to China will bring you nothing but disappointment. Those who are going for permanent residence in the Celestial Empire should not forget that dual citizenship is prohibited in China. Therefore, you should think carefully before renouncing the citizenship of your state and starting a new life in a country with specific laws, a socialist economy, an exotic culture and a unique foreign policy.

• Author: Natalya Titorova
• Print

Good afternoon My name is Natalya, I am 40 years old. An economist by training. Rate this article:

1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2
5. 1

(11 votes, average: 3.8 out of 5)
Share with your friends!

Features of employment

A huge population creates an imbalance. Due to high competition and the high cost of higher education, many Chinese strive to acquire a good working specialty and start earning money as quickly as possible. Therefore, China is experiencing a certain shortage of qualified personnel:

• in the field of heavy industry;
• in the electronics industry;
• in science;
• in the space sector;
• in the chemical industry.

Europeans are valued in the service sector. Western appearance is now in fashion in China due to the deep integration of the Celestial Empire into the global space. Despite the restrictive measures, mass Western culture, fashionable because of its novelty, still penetrates into China. Immigrants from Russia and Europe can easily find work as a dancer, actor, translator, and so on. For such people, the standard of living in China will be immeasurably higher than for their colleagues of Asian appearance.

Salary rates

The income level of the population depends on whether they live in cities or rural areas. The gap between rich and poor is quite large (10–15 times).

1. The minimum salary for a city dweller starts at 2000 yuan (20 thousand rubles).
2. The average salary in China is about 7,000 yuan.
3. Maximum salaries reach 30 thousand ¥.

These amounts apply to hired workers in cities. Farm laborers from villages receive much less. and very pittance salaries for illegal labor migrants arriving from other Asian countries or from the suburbs.

Tax deductions

The PRC has a progressive scale. The minimum rate is 5%. The maximum level reaches 45%. Those earning below 4,000 yuan do not pay personal income tax. Additional fees include:

• VAT (from 3 to 17%);
• tax on the purchase of vehicles 10%;
• for real estate transactions 1.2%;
• pension fee 8%;
• health insurance 2%;
• fee for the unemployed 0.2%.

This list is not complete. As in any developed state, the number of taxes (general, regional, local) includes dozens of types.

We've moved. How is life in China?

11.23.2020 RUBRIC: Moved

Author: Marina Golovneva

23931

Marina Golovneva from Kyiv was engaged in photojournalism, and then decided to take a break and escape to the other side of the planet - to China. Instead of the planned year of work, Marina stayed in Asia much longer, learned Chinese and became a student at a local university. Word to Marina.

The decision to leave, job search and preparation of documents

Four years ago I graduated from university and studied photojournalism in Kyiv. Film festivals, press conferences, passes to concerts right on stage. Over time, the dream job turned into a routine, and the question arose “what next?” I didn’t see myself with a camera at the ready at the same red carpets in 10 years. The right moment to take a break and escape to the other side of the planet. I had nothing to hold on to in Ukraine, so the decision to leave for China was easy. It was spontaneous, and the choice of country was completely random. In August 2017, I bought a one-way ticket and flew away. The only fear I had at that moment was what would I do when the time came to return? The trip was conceived solely as an adventure, which was supposed to end exactly a year later at the Kiev airport, where it began. But in the end, I stayed in Asia much longer, learned Chinese and became a student at a local university. But first things first.

I am an English teacher by training, which predetermined my choice of working in China. In 2021, conditions for non-native speakers were as friendly as possible. Bachelor's degree, online TEFL course (not to be confused with TOEFL), a successful interview on Skype - and the contract is in your mail.

You can find work through special companies that supposedly guarantee the best conditions. Their services will cost $1000, which does not include the cost of a visa ($60) and an air ticket (from Kyiv at least $350 with a transfer). They act as an intermediary: they help you create a resume, they arrange an interview on your behalf, and that’s all. I decided that I could handle it myself. Job search sites, reviews of companies and recommendations are publicly available for free. For the employer, the accent, or more precisely, its maximum proximity to the American one, is of great importance. The age of students, as a rule, is from 3 to 10 years, so there is no need to delve into grammar, but this is the time to work on good pronunciation.

What does the process look like from the Chinese side? Kindergartens and language schools in China are looking for teachers through their local companies. You have an interview with a representative of one of them and, as an applicant, you do not pay anything for your employment.

I published my resume, had five interviews in a week, and on the tenth day I already signed a contract. The most financially and time-consuming part is preparing documents for an official work permit. Urgent police clearance certificate, certified translation of diploma, medical certificate in English. It cost two months of bureaucratic fuss and almost $500. But getting a work visa (Z) is fundamentally important. In theory, it is easier to come on a student or business visa, but they do not give the right to work. The police can check your documents at any time. If they are not found, they face deportation for several years. School officials can always say that they had no idea you were illegal. There are many such stories, it’s better not to risk it.

A non-native speaker can qualify for a salary of $1,000 per month and free apartments near their place of work. You can also rent housing yourself. Rent for a studio apartment starts at $200, for a two-room apartment in the very center - $650. In large cities like Beijing and Shanghai, it is more difficult to find work. They will most likely give preference to the British and Americans, despite the fact that they will have to pay two to three times more. For me, the choice of city was not key; I knew little about China in general, and Tianjin accidentally became my new home.

About the city

In terms of area, Tianjin is half the size of the Kyiv region. With such a scale, a population of 15 million is not particularly noticeable. It is the largest Asian port, just 150 km from Beijing, the fourth most populous city in China.

There is an opinion about the residents of Tianjin that they are family-oriented and settled people who rarely move from their hometown. The fact that there really is something to love about it is confirmed by statistics: every year Tianjin is in the top ten most comfortable cities for living in China. Just 10 years ago, it was at the top of another rating - the most polluted places on the planet. Now the authorities are introducing a program to replace all taxis with electric cars, the heating system and the operation of factories are being regulated. Over the past year, smog levels have dropped by 30%.

The city has a developed infrastructure, cultural life, and, in comparison with Beijing, affordable prices for literally everything. A subway ride will cost $0.50 – $1, depending on the distance. Taxi on average is $4, mobile communication is $15 per month. The average bill in a restaurant is $5. A movie ticket or a month of bike rental is $7. You will have to pay the same for a trip to Beijing by high-speed train. Half an hour - and you are in the capital. But in Tianjin itself there is something to see: the embankment of the Haihe River, a drawbridge, skyscrapers, that very futuristic library from Instagram, a television tower with an observation deck, an opera, the residence of the last emperor, a dozen museums. By the way, in China they are all free, just don’t forget your passport.

The city center is clearly divided into eight quarters with European names: Italian, French, British. 200 years ago they were built up by Western colonialists. The Chinese got rid of the conquerors a long time ago, but they treat European architecture with care. All the buildings are well preserved, and in some areas you can easily forget that you are walking through a Chinese city.

Cult of food

Every major city is famous throughout the country for a certain dish, which supposedly is not prepared so tasty anywhere else. After any trip, the first question will be what local delicacies have you tried? For Tianjin, such pride is baozi, steamed pies with a juicy filling of meat, onions and ginger.

In my opinion, only street food can be cheaper and tastier: baked sweet potatoes, fried chestnuts, flatbreads, barbecued octopus, spicy tofu - all for no more than $2. The most popular dessert in the summer is baobing, which is crushed ice with topping and fruit on top. choice ($3), and in winter - frozen hawthorn berries in sugar ($0.75). Food is literally everywhere here: some stalls feature a massive gas oven that moves on wheels from street to street throughout the day and even night. Food outlets are opened on the first floors of apartment buildings, cooked right in front of you and sold through the window. The choice is huge, and the prices are so affordable that the Chinese practically do not cook at home.

If you feel nostalgia for familiar European food, there are plenty of options. Italian cuisine is especially popular among the Chinese themselves. The best pizzeria in the city - Osteria (86 Chifeng Dao) - was opened by a guy from Florence. I have not tried such delicious pepperoni even in Italy, but you will have to pay at least $20 for it. WeBrewery (4 Yi He Li, Xi An Street) is the favorite bar of all expats, there is a craft brewery, burgers, and broadcasts of football matches, and poetry evenings on Fridays. The price for a glass of light beer is $6. In general, there are enough establishments for nostalgia for the Western world.

But there are not many places for night parties in the city, but you will be welcome in each of them, especially in the most prestigious ones. Entrance is always free for foreigners, there is no need to adhere to a dress code, and cocktails are offered free of charge. The fact is that foreign visitors are an indicator of the good reputation and status of the club, this is important for attracting wealthy Chinese.

First impressions and friendship with locals

The very wording “culture shock” sounds negative to me, so I wouldn’t talk about my experience that way. But there was something to be surprised about. Firstly, after crossing the border you have 48 hours to register at an address where you can be found at any time. There is really special attention to foreigners in China, so getting to know the country literally starts from the police station. The employer takes care of all the paperwork; all you have to do is be present.

Secondly, get ready for a complete lack of readable inscriptions: names of establishments, menus, cinema posters, food packaging - everything is exclusively in Chinese. My first trip to the supermarket lasted more than three hours and felt like wandering through an quest room. Even with the help of smart translation apps, you won’t be able to quickly distinguish milk from yogurt. Google maps are not available in China; you have to use a local navigator, which does not have a single Latin letter. When interacting with locals, only sign language helps.

“My first trip to the supermarket lasted more than three hours and felt like wandering through an quest room.”

It’s unusual to be a “black sheep” everywhere. Over the years in photojournalism, I have become accustomed to remaining as invisible as possible, but here I am always under scrutiny: in transport, in cafes, in the library. I am silent about the public pool shower. But you can get used to everything and show understanding. The Chinese love to talk about their first meeting or conversation with a foreigner, and these memories are always very detailed and reverent. This is a special experience for residents of the Middle Kingdom, which until the end of the 90s was closed from the outside world. In small towns, visitors continue to be a curiosity even now. Once on a plane, a respectable Chinese man sitting next to me “unnoticedly” took selfies in which my face accidentally occupied most of the frame. Children often shamelessly point their fingers in the street and shout “laowai! laowai!” (“foreigner” in Chinese). I decided to react to this in the same manner and shout back with a smile: “Jongguo ren! jongguo ren!” (“Chinese” in Chinese). The children are perplexed, the parents burst into laughter.

Making new acquaintances is easy. There are not many foreigners, and ignorance of Chinese brings people together very much: master classes and parties are held every week, and many groups for mutual assistance are organized on social networks. As for the locals, even with a population of millions, it’s not easy to find English-speaking Chinese in Tianjin, but couchsurfing helped me out here. In general, the Chinese are happy to make friends with foreigners and practice their English, and for visitors, especially those without knowledge of the language, this is a real salvation in many situations. You are helpless in the face of the simplest everyday issues: going to the bank or paying for utilities can take half a day. The ideal recipe for survival in the Middle Kingdom is to find a Chinese friend whom you can trust with your whole life. I'm lucky with this one.

Working and surviving in kindergarten

I worked in a private institution. A month of training in this type of school costs parents $300. This is a profitable business because the population continues to grow, and so does the demand: in two years the number of children in my kindergarten has increased from 70 to 300.

Working day – from 8 am to 5 pm, 10 lessons of 30-45 minutes each. At noon you are given a two-hour break - do whatever you want, but usually you only have enough energy for a lunchtime nap. No matter what smart courses for teachers you take, when you find yourself in front of three dozen small children for the first time, you only feel the desire to run away. This is exhausting work, although very rewarding. The most difficult thing is to always be in a good mood, or to pretend, which is even more difficult.

Preschoolers have no motivation to study, so remember one thing: for the lesson to be successful, they must be interested and have fun. There was a joke among the teachers in my company that in a Chinese kindergarten you need to be able to become Lady Gaga for children: sing, dance, jump, but hold their attention from the first to the last minute. So you have to put on a real show 10 times a day. But simply entertaining young students is not enough - you are a teacher, and parents want to see results: “Why can’t my 5-year-old child maintain a dialogue in English?” So come up with ways to teach them new words and phrases quickly and in a fun way.

“In a Chinese kindergarten you need to be able to become Lady Gaga for children”

A foreign teacher is not required to know Chinese. When I started learning it for myself, it only got in the way when working with children - there was a temptation to switch to their language in order to convey the information faster. But only English should be spoken in lessons.

Local habits and beliefs

Get ready that at any opportunity they will try to feed you. In China, it is not customary to invite people for coffee. If you meet with friends, then only for a hot pot or a large bowl of spicy noodles with meat. In restaurants, large groups usually sit around a round table, and food is ordered for everyone, rather than each person separately. This way you can try a piece of several dishes at once in an evening. A very hearty dinner for four will cost about $40. Finishing everything to the last is considered bad manners, whether at a party or in a restaurant. During times of poverty in China, only wealthy people could afford to leave food on their plate. For some reason, the desire to emphasize one’s wealth in this way remains to this day. In establishments, it is customary that everyone pays for themselves or the amount is divided equally among everyone - this is called the “AA scheme”. But in general, the Chinese are very generous, and often loud disputes erupt within companies over who will pay the overall bill.

It was difficult to get used to their straightforwardness. “Long time no see, you’ve gotten fat!”, “How much do you earn per month? How much do you spend?”, “Do you have a boyfriend? Where does he work and how much does he earn? and so on. Money, appearance and personal life are common topics of discussion, no matter how closely you know the other person. Moreover, the Chinese not only actively inquire, but also openly lay out everything about themselves.

In general, the locals are very friendly and tolerant. Foreigners are easy to deceive, but no one takes advantage of this, as in Southeast Asia. Despite the language barrier, they always try to help, although this feels condescending, like towards helpless children. They very sincerely admire attempts to speak their language. They never show aggression towards each other in transport; I did not notice any anger even at rush hour.

The Chinese never leave home without a thermos of hot water. In their opinion, it has unique healing properties. For any health complaints, be it a headache or an upset stomach, there is only one piece of advice: drink more hot water!

I particularly admire one of the local traditions: in the evenings at any time of the year, crowds of smartly dressed pensioners gather in city parks. They bring large speakers and musical instruments in wheelbarrows, sing karaoke together, dance, and play board games under the light of lanterns. I think it's a wonderful old age.

“Pensioners bring large speakers and musical instruments in wheelbarrows, sing karaoke together, dance, and play board games.”

Young people usually spend their free time in shopping centers. In China, this is not just a place for shopping. Just imagine an ultra-modern multi-story building several blocks long with an ice skating rink, a cinema, dozens of restaurants, gyms, karaoke, beauty salons, and galleries. They also like to come here with children - you can leave them in the play center for a couple of hours and calmly stroll through the brand stores.

Chinese women are most afraid of tanning: since ancient times, dark skin has indicated poverty and the need to earn a living through hard physical labor. Therefore, in the summer, Chinese women do not go outside without a sun umbrella, and even when dressing up in dresses with thin straps, they wear special sleeves made of thick fabric - from the wrist to the shoulder. In general, the Chinese seem to be trying by all means to prevent others from thinking that they have little money. For the same reason, men grow long nails on their little fingers, which I have never been able to get used to looking at calmly.

When it comes to fashion, locals follow Korean trends. The preference of girls to wear shorter skirts is very striking - there is nothing provocative about open legs. But they try to cover the décolleté area as much as possible.

Foreigners receive many compliments about their appearance. The most surprising thing for me was their admiration for large noses - they call them “tall” and consider them a standard of beauty along with large eyes.

Holidays

With the beginning of interaction with the Western world, the Chinese began to actively introduce foreign holidays into their own culture, but they interpret them in their own way. On Catholic Christmas Eve, they give apples to relatives and friends, because of the consonance of the words “peace” and “apple” in Chinese.

Many holidays have been invented for marketing purposes in the last few years. There are now three whole days of lovers in the Chinese calendar: the local traditional one in August, February 14 and now also May 20 - due to the consonance of the numbers in the date “5/20” with the Chinese “I love you”.

December 31 is celebrated at a modest dinner, and after midnight they immediately go to bed, because in many companies January 1 is a full-time working day. But the Eastern New Year is celebrated on a real scale, for a whole week. There must be jiaozi at the table - something like our dumplings. In shape they resemble ancient Chinese gold bars, therefore they are considered a symbol of prosperity in the coming year. Seeing the New Year's parade of Chinese lions and dragons was not as easy as I thought. In Thailand, this tradition is supported even more than in China itself. Fireworks, which were invented in the Middle Kingdom, are also almost nowhere to be seen. They pollute the already damaged atmosphere too much and have been prohibited by law for several years in large cities.

Singles fairs

There are about 80 women per hundred Chinese. Being in this position, men are ready to do anything so as not to remain single. The Chinese, in turn, take advantage of this - they choose, if not sort through, until the most successful match comes along. Directly posed questions about salary and availability of an apartment are the norm, even on a first date.

Today's 30-40-year-old Chinese were born precisely during the time of the “one family, one child” policy, and their unsettled personal life is a real tragedy for their parents. Out of despair, they take the situation into their own hands, on a day off they secretly go to one of the parks and, based on advertisements from equally desperate fathers and mothers, select a suitable match for their lonely child. From the advertisements you can find out age, height, profession, details of living space. Sometimes wishes are also indicated: “We are looking for a man no shorter than 170 cm and no older than 35 years with a government position.”

Such “bachelor fairs” are held in every Chinese city once a week. If the interests of the parents on both sides coincide, then this is followed by a dinner party, at which they casually introduce the children, and then it depends.

Security, infrastructure and travel

At the entrance to each metro station, you need to undergo a thorough check: put your personal belongings on a scanning tape, go through a metal detector, if you have drinks with you, take a sip in front of the officer so that he can make sure that you are not carrying anything explosive in the bottle. This procedure is mandatory when entering museums, libraries, concert halls, or any crowded places.

The driver returned the phone I once left in a taxi, specially coming to my address again. I returned half an hour later to pick up my bag, forgotten in the cafe, and it lay untouched in exactly the same place. I was never afraid to come back alone late at night. There are almost no homeless people, you won’t see drunk people on the streets, and drug use in China is punishable by imprisonment (for their distribution - the death penalty).

The Chinese are fanatical fans of comfort in all its forms, and the infrastructure of any city is built to ensure it as much as possible. That’s why traveling around the country is easy and pleasant. Despite the huge scale of the territory, any point can be quickly reached by train. For example, the road from Tianjin to Shanghai (almost 1000 km) will take only 4 hours and cost $75. Prices for domestic flights are not the most affordable and start from $250 (round trip). Flying to Japan or Korea is often cheaper than flying to a neighboring province.

A night in hostels starts from $12. When booking, pay attention to whether they have the right to register foreigners. This requires a special license, and without it, no one will house you at your own risk, even if you are married to a Chinese man and share the same room with him. Once I got caught like this - I had to drive around half the city in search of a free hotel with a license, so as not to end up on the street.

For two years, according to my contract, I was entitled to 4 weeks of vacation, but I often took short trips on weekends. I waited for cheap tickets and immediately packed my backpack. So, in two years I managed to visit 12 provinces out of 22, saw the panda reserve, the ice city in Harbin, the Terracotta Army, Shanghai skyscrapers, walked 7 thousand steps to the top of the sacred mountain, and ran a cross-country race along the Great Wall. But this is not even a tenth of everything worth seeing in China.

Language and studies

Compared to the USA or European countries, the Celestial Empire has more affordable tuition prices: a semester of language courses will cost $500, bachelor's programs - from $2000, master's programs - from $3000. When submitting documents, you pay a fee for their review - $100. You can study in Chinese or English to choose from, but the English department is more expensive, and the competition there is higher. Good motivation to learn Mandarin.

Different regions of the country have different dialects, and residents of neighboring provinces may not understand each other at all. But “Mandarin,” also known as “Putonghua,” is the standard dialect; all Chinese know it, because education in schools and universities throughout the country is conducted in it. For admission you will have to pass the international test in Chinese - HSK. It has 6 levels. If you pass the fourth test, you can submit documents. It took me a little over a year to prepare.

There is a joke that life is too short to learn Chinese perfectly. Perhaps so, but in a few months it’s definitely possible to remember several hundred hieroglyphs and key phrases for survival. Moreover, the grammar is as simplified as possible compared to English. The dialect in Tianjin is close to standard Mandarin, so learning the language at a local university is a good option. This experience is definitely worth the effort.

Photo: personal archive of the heroine of the material

Tags: China

23931

Social security of citizens

Overall, this is one of China's Achilles heels. The social policy of the republic switched to capitalist lines only in the mid-1990s. Before this, the principles of the previous planned economy were in effect, which greatly hampered the development of the state.

Pension amount

The working age threshold in China is 50 years for women (55 for former officials) and 60 for men. The benefit amount is 900 yuan. This money is not enough to live on. However, the pension is not the only income. Local legislation obliges children (grandchildren) to support their elderly relatives.

A litmus test for how retirees live in China is the number of tourist groups in any major Russian museum. So the lack of large subsidies does not in the least prevent the elderly people of China from living for their own pleasure.

Payment of benefits and allowances

Supplements to pensions can be paid by private companies. Certain benefits are provided for special categories of the population:

• disabled people;
• unemployed;
• professional military personnel;
• employed in hazardous industries, and so on.

The benefits system in China is not as extensive as in Europe or the USA. The republic's social policy lags behind world standards.

Obtaining a residence permit in China: reasons

A citizen of another country can obtain a Chinese residence permit if he:

• got an official job;
• married a citizen of the People's Republic of China;
• opened a business;
• entered a local university;
• wants to reunite with family;
• plans to invest in the economy.

Any of these grounds must be documented. If everything is in order with the papers, there will be no difficulties in obtaining a residence permit.

Employment or training in China

If a foreigner wants to work in the PRC, he must make contact with a local employer and obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of China. He enters the country with a category Z visa and submits documents for a residence permit on the spot:

• health insurance;
• work book;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• diploma;
• a certificate from your place of employment confirming that you have at least two years of work experience.

Such a residence permit is issued for a year or the duration of the contract if it is less than 12 months. A year later, the document is renewed. Emigrants who have a doctorate degree or who held the position of head of a university in their home country can immediately obtain permanent residence.

Foreign citizens who come to study at local universities apply for an X category visa for entry. They attach an invitation from the educational institution to the main package of documents. A residence permit is issued for a year and then extended.

Marriage to a Chinese man

A good reason for legalizing status is an official marriage with a citizen or resident of the state. A residence permit is issued immediately, and a permanent residence permit is issued after a year. A migrant can obtain citizenship within 5 years after moving.

Family reunion

If children, parents, or a spouse live in China, a foreigner can obtain a residence permit. You need a document confirming the presence of family ties and an official invitation from a Chinese citizen. The relative also assumes financial obligations for the applicant’s stay in the PRC.

A foreign citizen who comes to reunite with his family receives a residence permit immediately, and permanent residence after five years. He can become a Chinese citizen 10 years after emigration.

Starting your own business

In the case when a foreigner plans to engage in entrepreneurial activity, he must first obtain a visa of category M. After three months he is issued a residence permit, and he can count on receiving permanent residence after 5 years.

The process of starting a business can take up to six months. First you need to register a company, get a tax payer number and open a bank account. There is no officially approved amount of registered capital in China. But lawyers recommend that the company’s account should have at least $150 thousand.

Investing in the Chinese economy

The country's authorities are interested in investments, so they create special conditions for those who want to financially support the national economy. Thus, a foreigner who plans to invest more than 500 thousand dollars within three years immediately receives a permanent residence permit.

Education system

This is not to say that Chinese diplomas are not in demand in the EU and the USA. It’s just that the world community has not yet gotten used to the fact that the quality of education in China has reached the highest level in just a couple of decades.

1. In state kindergartens, from an early age, an emphasis is placed on labor education and a sense of collectivism. Children's creative skills are given attention only in private institutions working under European programs.
2. School education includes 12 grades: 6 elementary, 3 middle and 3 high. The lesson lasts 40 minutes. However, only in primary school there are 6-7 of them per day. Next, children are taught 8–9 lessons each with a mandatory lunch break and a “quiet hour” in the middle of the day. In China, physical education occurs every day.
3. Higher education in China is a privilege. The competition for applicants is several hundred per place. Therefore, only the best study at universities. Modern universities in the country are included in all international rankings. The best universities are distinguished by their infrastructure, comprehensive support, and excellent scientific base.

Chinese higher education has long switched to the Bologna system (bachelor's and master's degrees). Many students continue their studies and find employment in the USA and Europe. The lifestyle of teenagers in China is characterized by a sense of duty and decency. Senior schoolchildren and students are very passionate about their studies due to high competition for places in universities and good jobs.

Comparative characteristics of living standards in Russia and China

To determine the quality of life in both countries, you need to compare the school and higher education systems, culture, mentality, and ecology.

Comparison of the education system

Considering that the Republic of China adheres to socialist views, and Russia has socialist roots, the education system is not much different:

1. In both countries, children go to school from the age of 6 and are required to study in the 9th grade. You can then continue your school education or enroll in vocational training. Public schools and kindergartens are free everywhere. A unified exam has also been established to determine the knowledge of graduates. The only disadvantage of Chinese schools is the number of students in classes; they can accommodate up to 50-60 students.
2. Higher institutions in Russia and China have been transferred to the education system according to the Bologna Agreement. This means there are bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Subsidies, scholarships, and student exchange are supported by programs of private and public institutions. In the world ranking of education, Russian education ranks 32nd, while Chinese education is the leader among Asian countries.
3. When considering the infrastructure of an educational institution, Chinese universities excel in this comparison. Their campuses have undergone complete renovation and look like huge high-tech scientific centers with laboratories, libraries, and museums.
4. Today, a Chinese diploma of higher education is valued even in America and Europe, so more and more Americans, Europeans, and Russians are coming there to study. The bulk of those from abroad are citizens from Southeast Asia. There are also a large number of foreign students from the CIS in Russia.
5. But still, if you compare the prices of studying at a university, it is cheaper for a Russian to study at home. In China, for one year a student pays a minimum of $2670, at home $1570. Plus, housing rents are expensive abroad, but the lucky ones can get a hostel.

Comparison of culture

The states have significant cultural differences. Coming to the Celestial Empire, you are faced with completely different traditions, mentality, habits, behavior, and religion. Previously, the Chinese were not so religious, but now they increasingly adhere to Buddhism, Taoism or Confucianism. National policy does not support this and inclines residents more towards work and submission, but modern Chinese are no longer the same as before, they have more democratic views. A big disadvantage for the Chinese people is their lack of knowledge of the English language - it is quite difficult for them to learn foreign languages, so when you arrive there you immediately encounter a language barrier.

The Chinese are very hardworking people, and this is true, but they still know how to relax. They built a large number of karaoke clubs, where they most often go after hard days at work. They also love to spend time with their family, often having dinner together at a restaurant or at Street Foods, since they rarely cook at home. The Chinese have the largest number of millionaires and billionaires; they love expensive shopping and cultural entertainment in the form of gambling. Currently, all casinos from mainland China have been moved to the Macau Peninsula, where wealthy Chinese flock in the evenings.

Separately, it is worth noting Chinese business etiquette; its main difference from Russian is that the Chinese treat people of the older generation and senior management with special respect. Equal relations between generations and persons holding high positions are not allowed. In Russia, on the contrary, this is being eradicated following the example of the West.

Comparison of environmental indicators

Today, the environment in China is one of the worst in the world. This phenomenon is associated with a huge number of industrial plants, cars, and man-made accidents. In addition to polluted air, poisoned land and soil have been found in some regions. In large cities, there is constant smog, which is why about 1 million Chinese fall ill every year. In terms of environmental pollution, China ranks 13th in the world ranking with a coefficient of 81.24, Russia is in 54th place in this list with a coefficient of 63.49. With such figures, the countries are far from Finland, which is in the lead and is the cleanest region in the world.

Medical level

Traditionally, Chinese healers sought to treat not the disease, but the whole person. In this country, it is believed that pathology occurs as a result of energy imbalance throughout the body. Therefore, therapeutic techniques are not aimed at a specific focus of the disease, but at the main areas of the body responsible for the proper circulation of energy. Hence such exotic treatments as acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy and meditation. Today, modern pharmaceuticals, 21st century surgery, and powerful medical infrastructure (clinics, hospitals) have been added to traditional methods. This makes treatment in China even more effective.

Transport in China

Today, China is the world leader in infrastructure development in this area. The main growth began in the late 1980s. But until the middle of the twentieth century. There were practically no ordinary roads in the country.

Public transport

The growth rate of megacities required the development of the metro. Today, underground transport is represented in more than 30 cities. China ranks first in terms of line length. Public transport costs an average of 2 yuan per trip. This is cheaper than in many Russian cities.

Taxi

The call and boarding fee is approximately 10 yuan. The average cost per kilometer is ¥1.9. These prices correspond to those in many Russian regional centers.

Rent a Car

This service is more difficult to use than in other countries. Car rental is provided only for trips within the administrative region. Car prices fluctuate due to the demand for the service. You should book transport in advance, because often there are not enough cars for everyone who wants to rent a vehicle.

Reviews from migrants about life in Russia

Reviews are different, and sometimes completely opposite.

Migrants note the following disadvantages of life in Russia:

1. Low wages compared to developed countries.
2. Bureaucracy.
3. High cost of living.
4. The complexity of organizing the work of small and medium-sized businesses.

The best life in Russia is for people from the CIS countries, where the standard of living is lower (mainly Asian countries). In addition, the procedure for obtaining citizenship has been significantly simplified for them.

According to statistics, about 9-11 million migrants live in Russia in 2021. Every tenth immigrant is a citizen of the People's Republic of China.

National diasporas

Over 90% of the population belongs to the titular ethnic group – Han. The second largest nation, the Zhuang, makes up 1%. Europeans concentrate in former colonial zones:

• Hong Kong (English);
• Macau (Portuguese);
• Harbin (Russians), etc.

There are Muslim settlements on the border with India. The best cities in China to live in definitely have European neighborhoods. Office workers of Western companies move here.

Peculiarities of life of Russians in China

The main points of relationship between our compatriots and the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom in the first half of the twentieth century. there were the Chinese Eastern Railway and Harbin. After white emigrants expelled from the Far East settled in this city, the Russian-speaking population of China exceeded 200 thousand people.

Against the background of another surge of friendship during the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army and the provision of fraternal assistance to Mao Zedong, the number of Russian speakers grew, but under Khrushchev a dark streak came in the relationship. In the 21st century There are no more than 15,000 officially employed Russians in China. The life of Russians in China is complicated by the following:

• the language barrier;
• difficult adaptation to local culture;
• crowded population and high competition in education and the labor market;
• a certain alienation of locals from Europeans.

The best life for Russians is along the border between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China. On weekends, people go to China to shop.

Migrants from Ukraine

The political and economic difficulties that Kyiv is experiencing have led to an outflow of citizens to work. In this regard, the Chinese direction turned out to be quite popular. Show business workers (European appearance is in fashion), scientists and qualified specialists in the field of heavy industry come here.

For Belarusians

Citizens of this republic enjoy special respect in China. There is a Belarusian community here. Enterprises are operating (branches of Gomselmash and the MTZ tractor plant). The TV channel broadcasts in Russian and the radio station broadcasts in Belarusian. A visa-free regime has been established for citizens of the republic when making tourist trips.

Comparison of the economy and GDP per capita of China and Russia by year

Economic growth can be tracked by financial statistics published by international organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Financial institutions have full authority to monitor data. Today, the leading indicators are GDP and GDP per capita. Developed countries have both indicators at a high level, while developing countries usually have low GDP per capita. Today, both Russia and China lag behind world powers in terms of GDP per capita, but the state is taking every measure to increase the numbers.

Table of macroeconomic indicators for comparison for the period from 2000 to 2021:

Analyzing the graph of GDP or GDP growth and the table data for the Russian Federation, we note that in Russia this indicator has increased from 2000 to 2019. had an unstable trend. The curve in the screenshot shows a slow increase from 1999 to 2008, then there was a sharp jump down and the rise began again. In 2014, a series of events related to international sanctions and devaluation again led to a decline in the economy. Since 2021, the situation has slowly improved and the economy has stabilized. The same jumps are observed in GDP per capita; in 2021, its figure reached $12,243 per Russian.

Chart 1. Russian Federation

Let's look at the figures for China's Gross Domestic Product. The graph shows that the economy until 2000 was at the same level, but from 2000 the economy began to grow slowly. Since 2007, the curve on the graph has been steadily going up. During this period, trade turnover with many countries of the world increases, and it was at this time that China gained the name “International Factory”. The annual increase from 2000-2019 ranged from 8.49% to 14.23%.

Chart 2. China

But despite the PRC’s significant lead in GDP, another equally important indicator, GDP per capita, is significantly inferior to the Russian Federation, at $2,528. This means that about 1.7% live below the poverty line in China. Despite the country's total income of $13.368 trillion, the Chinese still receive low salaries and do not live in the best conditions. That is why the Asian republic is in the rank of “developing”. In the Russian Federation, inflation is 3%, unemployment is 4.7%. In China, inflation is 3.8%, unemployment is 3.62%

Crime rate and corruption in the country

The mafia is the scourge of China. Organized crime in China is intertwined with official power. This increases the level of corruption, which is another national problem of the republic. From 2000 to 2010, 10 thousand officials were executed for bribes. China ranks 79th in terms of corruption (2015 data; CPI ranking maintained by Transparency International). Russia occupies 141st place in it.

In terms of the degree of rampant crime, the PRC is only 90th with coefficients of 31.51 (crime), 68.49 (security). The Russian Federation, for comparison, is on line 50 (47.36/52.64). Thus, a Russian is unlikely to be surprised by the crime situation in China.

Comparison of life indicators in China and Russia

As certain results, we can consider the main factors that give an idea of ​​where it is better - in the Russian Federation or China.

Only people who have lived in this country can tell you what the main pros and cons of living in China are.

Business and salaries in China

The rapid development of the PRC economy attracts not only tourists, but also entrepreneurs. And although most of them specialize only in importing Chinese goods, there are also those who are seriously considering the local market to promote their own products. Such citizens will probably be interested in the question of how the local tax system works?

If we take into account taxes on enterprises whose work in China is strongly encouraged, then there is a flat rate of 25% of profits. For high-tech companies, the tax is reduced to 15%, for small businesses – to 20%.

Income tax for citizens is calculated on a differentiated scale. Monthly salaries up to 4,500 yuan (40,865 rubles) are taxed at 10%. Income from 4500 to 9000 yuan - 20%, from 9000 to 35000 yuan - 25%.

The average salary in China today is approximately $750. This is the national average. In Shanghai and some other large cities, the level of income of the population is significantly higher - up to 1200 US dollars per month. Whereas in rural areas and remote provinces a monthly salary of around 400-500 dollars is considered solid.

Reviews from those who moved

Irina, 35 years old. In China, I work as a translator from English to Russian in a large company. My salary is 4 times higher than for a similar position in Moscow. I communicate with representatives of large businesses. Good linguists are worth their weight in gold here.

Maxim Mitrofanovich, 65 years old. Moved from Blagoveshchensk to neighboring Heihe. Many Chinese speak Russian. However, this was not even what struck me. There is a surprisingly respectful attitude towards the elderly here. They respond to any request, make concessions everywhere, and offer discounts in stores.

Sergey Ivanenko. I didn't like working in China at all. I had to live in a rented room. There are crowds of Chinese on the streets. The language is difficult, I never learned it, although I honestly tried for a year and a half. There is disgusting smog on the streets, they feed on all sorts of nonsense, like cockroaches. I went back to Voronezh and don’t regret it at all.

Thus, China through the eyes of Russians appears not only in a positive light. There is too much difference in culture, mentality, and the general way of life of the population of our countries. Those who decide to move to the republic should take this point into account and prepare for a difficult adaptation.