We at DavidShield are ready to provide our customers with full service, with an emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic and the supplying of vaccines.
For more information
We at DavidShield are ready to provide our customers with full service, with an emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic and the supplying of vaccines.
A little about China…
China is the world’s most populated country, with a population of almost 1.5 billion people spread over the third largest country in terms of size. It is run by a single party - the Communist Party of China. It runs a unique state-controlled form of capitalism, which enables a kind of business freedom so long as it coincides with government-defined goals. Despite its vast size, no country in the world is expanding faster, with a new skyscraper built every 5 days (that’s 73 a year). Being the largest exporter in the world, it is not very surprising to hear that Standard Chartered bank has projected it to overtake the US as the top economy in the world in 2020. What better place and time to exploit this economic boom.
Unlike western countries, moving to China is even more of a cultural shift, making it slightly more difficult to adapt. The idea of a move may only be a fleeting thought, but if you are even considering the idea then strap in, fasten your seatbelt and get ready as we outline everything you need to know about joining one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
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A pretty great wallThe Great Wall of China is the only monument in the world that is actually visible from the moon - that’s almost 400,000 km away! -
How much?Despite a minimum wage being set by the different principalities in China, over 100 million people are reportedly living off less than USD 1 a day.
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Not where you might have thoughtThe most popular sport in the world, soccer is often thought to have originated in England in the mid-19th Century, however the Chinese claim to have thought up an earlier version of the game as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) having called it ‘Tsu-Chu’ or ‘kicking the ball’.
The Chinese health system
From when the People’s Republic of China was created in 1949, health services have been state-run and free of charge for all. However, from the 1980s onwards, China went through a stark economic reform which changed the country into a free market state - also impacting the healthcare system. The current healthcare system is a result of huge shift, in particular since 2008. The government is aiming to provide affordable, sufficient healthcare to all Chinese citizens by 2020. The reality however is somewhat different. Although on the surface this system might resemble western equivalents, the public system is really struggling with the increasing population (1 GP to about 6,666 people - NYT 2018). 95% of Chinese citizens are covered by government health insurance, but it varies hugely depending on where you live. In cities coverage can be several hundred dollars a month; whereas in the periphery areas it can be as low as 40 a month. As a rule, most of China’s healthcare service is provided in three types of hospitals:
1. Public Hospitals
There are about 14,000 public hospitals in China, which provide about 90% of the country's medical services. These generally do not meet Western standards in terms of the level of doctors, hygiene, quality of service and jam sandwiches of course.
2. Private Hospitals
Some of these hospitals specialize in traditional Chinese medicine, whilst others practice more western styles of medicine. Generally speaking, these hospitals run in a similar way to the public hospitals. The main differences between them are that private hospitals have a higher standard of service, shorter queues and you have a higher chance of finding an English speaking member of staff.
3. International Hospitals
These private hospitals provide what we would call a Western-standard of service, with almost all of the staff able to speak English and the highest level of care in China. Naturally, these are the most popular kind of hospitals for foreign nationals, but with the higher level of care comes a higher cost of course.
Medical Insurance for Expats
As an expat coming to China you might be covered by a private insurance policy given by your employer. In any case, you will not be entitled to the state health insurance scheme. Therefore, it is highly recommended to purchase your own international health insurance so that you can have access to a western-level of medical care during your time in China. It is worth remembering that healthcare in China is very much business-minded, and as such you would be well advised to pay in advance for any treatment, or at least to present a valid insurance policy that will cover your expenses. Basically, don’t have high hopes if you turn up empty handed.
So, what is the best healthcare option for expats?
As alluded to above, we would recommend using the international hospitals, particularly if you do not speak Chinese. As a rule, we recommend not going to public hospitals, because most of them will not provide you with the level of healthcare that you are most likely used to. Having said this, if you are admitted to a public hospital, it is worth asking if they have an international ward. This is on account of the fact that a handful of public hospitals have departments that cater for foreign patients only and provide them with western-quality services.
VISAs
We hope that helps you decide on which type of insurance you would like to go for, but now let’s explore which VISA option best suits your needs.
Tourist VISA (Type L)
This allows you to travel for up to 30 days (US, UK and Argentine Passports can get up to 10 years with multiple entries). The cost of the VISA varies depending on nationality and it normally takes about 4 days for the VISA to be processed. If you want to extend your stay, you can apply at the local Entry and Exit Administration of China no less than seven days before your VISA expires - this tends to allow no more than an extra 30 days.
Work VISA (Type Z)
In order to get this VISA, you need to complete three steps. The first is being offered a job in China. Second, your future employer will need to provide you with an official employment license from the Chinese authorities (often by giving you the status of “foreign expert”). Thirdly, you will need to have a valid certificate documenting the results of a recent medical examination. Lastly, you will need more mundane things like a passport, a photograph, a Chinese work permit form and an official letter of invitation. On arrival, you will need to register with the local police so that they can give you a residence permit - it is this that give you the right to live in China, not the VISA.
Student VISA (Type X)
The first step is to enroll in the university / institution of your choice. Next, the university will send you registration forms for you to fill out. Thirdly, you will need to take this form and a student VISA form to the Chinese embassy in your country. What will happen is, the embassy will give you a Tourist VISA (L VISA) for you to take to China, only on arrival will the university help you to exchange this Tourist VISA for your student one. There are two types of student VISA; X1 and X2. X1 is called ‘long-term study’ and is needed for when your studies will take more than 180 days. The X2 is for ‘short-term study’ and is needed for when your study terminates before this 180-day cap.
