From deep in the long Associated Press piece: "On the day Beijing submitted its Olympic bid, Li estimated condo prices in the resort area rose by RMB 100,000 (US$16,300)."
English is the international language of business and almost all professions. This will not change. Despite China's best efforts at promoting the language, Chinese will never become any form of a standardized international language. The written form of Chinese will never be adopted.
In almost all professions, I fail to see the value of learning Chinese (a very difficult language to master), relative to hiring a professional translator. Functioning day-to-day with very basic Chinese is fine for the vast majority of foreign professionals..
Kudos to those who have the time and made the effort to function in semi-literate Chinese, but I have never seen any example of it being useful in Western business or professions. It is more of a party trick to impress friends / colleagues.
Actually, I would encourage more Westerners to learn proper English before focusing on Chinese.
Imagine hearing this from a Chinese executive, say, in the USA and see if it sounds any different (hell, this might not be too far off, given the respective directions of the two economies):
"I have a white collar job and that's exactly why I can't speak English. I'm not a student, nor a freelance photographer or language teacher and simply don't have the time (and motivation) to put in the hours to properly learn English. And another factor is that most people worthwhile meeting seem to speak Chinese anyway, so I guess I lack a true reason to learn the language."
Considering foreign employees primarily work white-collar jobs, it seems almost shocking that nearly three-quarters can't talk easily with local counterparts in their native tongue. Then again, maybe this can be chalked up to thehigh standard of English that many Chinese speak,particularly in the major metro areas, which allows expats to get by without Chines skills.
Shocking? Not at all, I'm in that demographics too. I have a white collar job and that's exactly why I can't speak Chinese. I'm not a student, nor a freelance photographer or language teachr and simply don't have the time (and motivation) to put in the hours to properly learn Chinese.
And another factor is that most people worthwhile meeting seem to speak English anyway, so I guess I lack a true reason to learn the language. For professional purposes Chinese is not required (though it would be beneficial for smalltalk) and we'd never hire a foreigner just because he speaks Chinese, what's the point, plenty of cheapish labour here still.
A person working odd jobs, maybe 20 hours of work per week and maybe of that 10-15 of ACTUAL work, and going on visa runs every 3 months is not a professional. Nor is a one doing just enough to pay rent and have money for drinks, no matter they're sitting in their home country or giving it a go abroad.
And your point being, if they included this category of people in the survey, the results would be different in what way?
A person working odd jobs, maybe 20 hours of work per week and maybe of that 10-15 of ACTUAL work, and going on visa runs every 3 months is not a professional. Nor is a one doing just enough to pay rent and have money for drinks, no matter they're sitting in their home country or giving it a go abroad.
Title here is a bit misleading; the study only covers only foreign professionals. That's hardly "a comprehensive study of the foreign population in China."
By "professionals" they mean "the employed" so yes by definition it excludes students
I'm sure if you factor in students, there are a lot more that can speak Chinese (presuming many of them are studying Chinese or are studying at local universities)
We'll keep you updated as we get the full report (which is not yet released)
Title here is a bit misleading; the study only covers only foreign professionals. That's hardly "a comprehensive study of the foreign population in China."
To be fair: I am fortunate enough to have a job that supports my endeavors, as far as learning language goes, but several expats I know are to busy doing their jobs and working long, crazy hours, to get in any consistent and effective studying done.
This is not accurate reporting. I just travelled by fast train from Beijing to Nanjing on October 29th and I am travelling on the yellow receiept given when I turned in my passport and now the government has my passport. However, assure your picture is embossed into the paper. Exit and entry will emboss it for you but you should inform them to do it. They will not accept it just taped or glued onto same. If it is not embossed, even the airport will not accept it. I will also be returned my passport on November 19th as the yellow paper expires and they have guaranteed this as the return date. I turned it in on October 27th, so that is 18 working days (weekends not counted) and most these days coincide with the conference dates. Actually it was much easier than going through "the dance" at the airport. One glance at it and through. Previous years at the airport the officials checking passports had to ask 20 other people and no one knew the answer which ultimately resulted in them saying "go on through."
Your example of a via seems to be a poor choice as it is for 2012. Maybe you should check yours is not expired?
Please clarify if restrictons are the same as previous regular restrictions ie cannot drive within 5th ring. I have heard that restriction is for ALL of Beijing. I was planning to drive to airport via 6th ring.
BTW for those of you who were still waiting in line at the Yen Fetish Party last night when it was shut down by the police, organizers O2 Culture said to stay tuned to their website http://o2culture.com fo details on refunds.
From their Weibo account this afternoon: http://weibo.com/o2culture
The numbers and "odds" and "evens" refer to car restrictions on those days.
so for instance:
Nov 10 says: Odds Day Off
"Odds" means cars with license plates ending in odd numbers are restricted from driving on that day "Day Off" means that day is off for schools and government offices
Nov 13 says: 1,6
which means cars with license plates ending in 1 and 6 are restricted from driving on that day
Why does it show "Odds day off" for 10th and 12 and "odds" for 8 when they are even numbers? It also has "Evens day off" for the 7th and "Evens" for the 9th. These are odd numbers.
What do the numbers in the blue squares for 13, 14, 17-21, and 23-28 mean? For example, 13 has "1, 6".
Can someone decipher this for me/us (I am sure I am not the only one utterly confused here)?
Re: Watch the Official Beijing 2022 Olympic Bid While You...
And this just in:
Beijing emerges as 2022 Winter Olympics favorite
From deep in the long Associated Press piece: "On the day Beijing submitted its Olympic bid, Li estimated condo prices in the resort area rose by RMB 100,000 (US$16,300)."
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
English is the international language of business and almost all professions. This will not change. Despite China's best efforts at promoting the language, Chinese will never become any form of a standardized international language. The written form of Chinese will never be adopted.
In almost all professions, I fail to see the value of learning Chinese (a very difficult language to master), relative to hiring a professional translator. Functioning day-to-day with very basic Chinese is fine for the vast majority of foreign professionals..
Kudos to those who have the time and made the effort to function in semi-literate Chinese, but I have never seen any example of it being useful in Western business or professions. It is more of a party trick to impress friends / colleagues.
Actually, I would encourage more Westerners to learn proper English before focusing on Chinese.
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
Zuckerberg "speaks the language"? That is relative. Maybe he can buy a baozi. I would like to see him negotiate a business deal in Chinese.
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
Imagine hearing this from a Chinese executive, say, in the USA and see if it sounds any different (hell, this might not be too far off, given the respective directions of the two economies):
"I have a white collar job and that's exactly why I can't speak English. I'm not a student, nor a freelance photographer or language teacher and simply don't have the time (and motivation) to put in the hours to properly learn English. And another factor is that most people worthwhile meeting seem to speak Chinese anyway, so I guess I lack a true reason to learn the language."
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
Shocking? Not at all, I'm in that demographics too. I have a white collar job and that's exactly why I can't speak Chinese. I'm not a student, nor a freelance photographer or language teachr and simply don't have the time (and motivation) to put in the hours to properly learn Chinese.
And another factor is that most people worthwhile meeting seem to speak English anyway, so I guess I lack a true reason to learn the language. For professional purposes Chinese is not required (though it would be beneficial for smalltalk) and we'd never hire a foreigner just because he speaks Chinese, what's the point, plenty of cheapish labour here still.
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
And your point being, if they included this category of people in the survey, the results would be different in what way?
More Chinese speakers? More women?
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
A person working odd jobs, maybe 20 hours of work per week and maybe of that 10-15 of ACTUAL work, and going on visa runs every 3 months is not a professional. Nor is a one doing just enough to pay rent and have money for drinks, no matter they're sitting in their home country or giving it a go abroad.
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
By "professionals" they mean "the employed" so yes by definition it excludes students
I'm sure if you factor in students, there are a lot more that can speak Chinese (presuming many of them are studying Chinese or are studying at local universities)
We'll keep you updated as we get the full report (which is not yet released)
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
Title here is a bit misleading; the study only covers only foreign professionals. That's hardly "a comprehensive study of the foreign population in China."
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
^ that's definitely true -- Chinese is quite difficult to learn (particularly reading) unless you've got the time to put nose to the grindstone.
Re: Expats in China: Three-Quarters Male and Illiterate
To be fair: I am fortunate enough to have a job that supports my endeavors, as far as learning language goes, but several expats I know are to busy doing their jobs and working long, crazy hours, to get in any consistent and effective studying done.
Re: Get Your Visa Renewal Application In: Entry-Exit Office...
This is not accurate reporting. I just travelled by fast train from Beijing to Nanjing on October 29th and I am travelling on the yellow receiept given when I turned in my passport and now the government has my passport. However, assure your picture is embossed into the paper. Exit and entry will emboss it for you but you should inform them to do it. They will not accept it just taped or glued onto same. If it is not embossed, even the airport will not accept it. I will also be returned my passport on November 19th as the yellow paper expires and they have guaranteed this as the return date. I turned it in on October 27th, so that is 18 working days (weekends not counted) and most these days coincide with the conference dates. Actually it was much easier than going through "the dance" at the airport. One glance at it and through. Previous years at the airport the officials checking passports had to ask 20 other people and no one knew the answer which ultimately resulted in them saying "go on through."
Your example of a via seems to be a poor choice as it is for 2012. Maybe you should check yours is not expired?
Re: Pizza Pronto: The Beijinger's Unofficial Pizza Delivery Race
Being the anal retentive stats nerd I am, I reranked the contestants on the basis of Minutes per Kilometer, as some were at a geographic disadvantage:
Re: Don't Forget: Big Changes Afoot Beginning Sunday for APEC
WHAT A F**K UP!
Please clarify if restrictons are the same as previous regular restrictions ie cannot drive within 5th ring. I have heard that restriction is for ALL of Beijing. I was planning to drive to airport via 6th ring.
Re: Still Want to Get Your Freak On? Halloween Continues...
BTW for those of you who were still waiting in line at the Yen Fetish Party last night when it was shut down by the police, organizers O2 Culture said to stay tuned to their website http://o2culture.com fo details on refunds.
From their Weibo account this afternoon: http://weibo.com/o2culture
非 常感谢昨晚大家在门外长时间的等待和支持。由于在APEC期间，警察临时终止了我们的活动，我们非常抱歉！对每位在门外未能入场的客人都感同身受的非常 遗憾！关于票务的解决问题，请各位关注周一我们的官方网站www.o2culture.com，会告诉您解决方案，再次感谢大家的理解和支持。
Re: Beijing Says 'Boo' to Halloween Costumes on the Subway
Word is the Yen party was shut down at 1:40am this morning, and there was still a line to get in at the time
Re: Don't Forget: Big Changes Afoot Beginning Sunday for APEC
Sorry about the confusion.
The numbers and "odds" and "evens" refer to car restrictions on those days.
so for instance:
Nov 10 says:
Odds
Day Off
"Odds" means cars with license plates ending in odd numbers are restricted from driving on that day
"Day Off" means that day is off for schools and government offices
Nov 13 says:
1,6
which means cars with license plates ending in 1 and 6 are restricted from driving on that day
Re: Don't Forget: Big Changes Afoot Beginning Sunday for APEC
Why does it show "Odds day off" for 10th and 12 and "odds" for 8 when they are even numbers? It also has "Evens day off" for the 7th and "Evens" for the 9th. These are odd numbers.
What do the numbers in the blue squares for 13, 14, 17-21, and 23-28 mean? For example, 13 has "1, 6".
Can someone decipher this for me/us (I am sure I am not the only one utterly confused here)?
Re: Beijing Says 'Boo' to Halloween Costumes on the Subway
Chaos serious if people are wearing Hallloween costumes? Now I've heard everything now.
Re: Beijing Says 'Boo' to Halloween Costumes on the Subway
According to the Beijing News, those that refuse to remove their costumes on the subway will be subject to arrest.