Belgian Consular Info Session

Consular Info Session: great initiative

On 23 September the Belgian Embassy in Beijing held an information session in the Ambassador’s residence.
In every country one can face problems with visas, insurance, security and other. China is not an exception with its own issues.
The Consular Info Session was well attended by the Belgian community and many asked questions.
The Consul gave a clear and informative presentation of the main issues that can affect us all. The ambassador also intervened and also introduced the delegates from the “Belgians in Beijing” (“BiB”).
It is the first time (in 35 years!) I had the chance to join a similar meeting.

TIN and credit cards

I raised the issue of TIN: “Tax Identification Number”. Due to new laws in OECD, banks are becoming pretty strict on the tax situation of its clients. ING bank (Belgium) recently upset many of the Beijing clients as they were requesting our TIN, threatening to lodge complaints if we did not comply.
As a matter of fact, ING handled without understanding the situation of foreigners in China. While the Chinese government claims “everybody in China has a TIN”, in reality it does not apply to foreigners.

Chinese regulations mention:

The structure of TIN varies depending on the types of taxpayer. For entities, it consists of 15 characters (old TIN regime) or 18 characters (new TIN regime). For individuals, it consists of 18 characters. Taxpayer who registered with tax authority was issued a certificate of tax registration that contains its TIN. Under the new TIN regime, taxpayer who registers with industry & commerce authority will be issued a business licence that contains its “Credibility Code”, which is also its TIN. The TIN number of individual is shown on its identification card.

As we investigated, as for now the Beijing Tax Bureau uses simply the passport number as a TIN (not being in line with normal Chinese TIN for Chinese citizens).
The Beijing Tax authorities confirmed this in an official e-mail. One explanation is that foreigners do not have some kind of ID card in China. Long time ago we did have some kind of “ID booklet” that was later discontinued.
There are plans to reform the tax system and the work permits for foreigners, and to issue ID cards to foreign residents. At a later stage the foreigners could then also be issued a TIN according to Chinese tax standards.
As for me: we solved our problem as we got a brand-new TIN under our company.
Also to note: the Chinese Green Card number is can NOT be used for TIN and other purposes, it does not have 18 characters as the Chinese ID …

Belgian banks are now becoming difficult when sending out our credit cards. Some agencies only allow the cards to be picked up in person. The cards needs to be activated by SMS, usually too late when we get them in hand. The ATMs in Beijing do not have an “activation” service but the simple way is to withdraw a small amount, thus activating the card.

The world’s largest annual migration

Yes. That is the Chinese New Year (CNY) period when Chinese try to be with their family to celebrate Spring Festival/CNY. With the hundreds of million of Chinese working outside of their home town, it is an annual suffering for them to secure a ticket to go home (and return), to face crowds and long queuing to buy tickets, board the trains (or buses) and survive the trip. The system is not yet able to cope with the demand and I sympathize with the migrants who go through the yearly ordeal. With the unfriendly holiday system in China, even worse.
To have an idea:
The 2014 Spring Festival travel period starts on 16 January and lasts for 40 days. CNY is on 31 January.
Presently the rail system counts 100,000 Km (with 10% being high speed), to be 120,000 Km by 2015.
Trips expected in that period:

  • Total 3.6 billion trips
  • Road trips: 3.2 billion
  • Rail trips: 258 million
  • Ship trips: 43 million
  • Plane trips: 422 million.

As for me, well I stay put in Beijing, it is quiet and in any other location (including Thailand, …) you find Chinese all over. That is, if you get there.
Bon voyage!

What is “InterNations”?

Mission
InterNations is the first international online community for people who live and work abroad. As a network based on trust, we enable our members to interact with other global minds in a similar situation, with comparable interests and needs. InterNation users can keep in touch with friends and business contacts; they can exchange reliable information on expat-specific topics, both on a global and a local level.
Members
InterNations reaches out to the international community: diplomats, members of IGOs and NGOs, foreign correspondents, expatriates employed by multinational companies and their family members. We also cater to the interests of local residents with strong ties to this community (e.g. journalists).
Our network is represented by more than 390 local communities all over the world – the perfect platform to exchange opinions and information on local particularities.
Gilbert is a member since June 2008 of the Beijing Community. See here the presence in Greater China:

  • Beijing – 13,216 members (a large number are actually local Chinese!)
  • Tianjin – 275 members
  • Shanghai – 15,994 members
  • Chongqing – 164 members
  • Hong Kong – 16,141 members
  • Taipei – 3,352 members


Membership is strictly invitation-based: You may join the community only after receiving an invitation from a current member. In this way, InterNations will remain a network of personal trust, where data security and privacy protection are top priorities.
With InterNations you can:

  • Meet other global minds
  • Stay in touch with international friends
  • Receive advice from expats
  • Share your thoughts in the World Forum or the Town Talk
  • Help young people from a less privileged background

Founders
InterNations is the idea of Christian Leifeld, Philipp von Plato and Malte Zeeck. All of them have studied and worked in various foreign countries. During their stays they discovered, like many other expatriates, it was often difficult to find other like-minded people, to get around and to find the right locations in a foreign country. Building upon work experience in international management consultancies and media companies, Christian, Malte and Philipp decided to set up InterNations to make living abroad easier. Today InterNations is run by Malte and a team of dedicated global minds.
See the website for further details:
http://www.internations.org/about/internations?ref=fo_ab
More posts about InterNations, see my other blog http://www.beijing1980.com

Thought provoking painting ‘Beijing 2008’

I got this from a friend, tried to check the source. Pretty interesting. I improved a bit the colors of the original picture (revealing more details). One source is https://www.facebook.com/tolga.toleubay but  an earlier one from 2006: http://blog.islaformosa.com/2006/10/beijing-2008-by-liu-yi.html.
What the comments below do not mention: Taiwan seems to be naked below.
Somehow it reminds me of a “21st century Chinese Rubens painting… Up to you to interpret!
Amazing thought-provoking painting “Beijing 2008” by Chinese-Canadian artist Liu Yi.

The woman with the tattoos on her back is China. On the left, focused intensely on the game, is Japan. The one with the shirt and head cocked to the side is America. Lying provocatively on the floor is Russia. And the little girl standing to the side is Taiwan.
This painting, named “Beijing 2008”, has been the subject of much discussion in the west as well as on the internet. What’s interesting is that this painting is called “Beijing 2008”, yet it depicts four women playing mahjong, and conceals a wealth of meaning within…
China’s visible set of tiles “East Wind” has a dual meaning. First, it signifies China’s revival as a world power. Second, it signifies the military might and weaponry that China possesses has already been placed on the table. On one hand, China appears to be in a good position, but we cannot see the rest of her hand. Additionally, she is also handling some hidden tiles below the table.
America looks confident, but is glancing at Taiwan, trying to read something off of Taiwan’s expression, and at the same time seems to be hinting something at Taiwan.
Russia appears to be disinterested in the game, but this is far from the truth. One foot hooks coyly at America, while her hand passes a hidden tile to China, both countries can be said to be exchanging benefits in secret. Japan is all seriousness while staring at her own set of tiles, and is oblivious to the actions of the others in her self-focused state.
Taiwan wears a traditional red slip, symbolizing that she is the true heir of Chinese culture and civilization. In one hand she has a bowl of fruit, and in the other, a paring knife. Her expression as she stares at China is full of anger, sadness, and hatred, but to no avail; unless she enters the game, no matter who ends up as the victor, she is doomed to a fate of serving fruit.
Outside the riverbank is darkened by storm clouds, suggesting the high tension between the two nations is dangerously explosive. The painting hanging on the wall is also very meaningful; Mao’s face, but with Chiang Kai Shek’s bald head, and Sun Yat-Sen’s mustache.
The four women’s state of undress represent the situation in each country. China is naked on top, clothed with a skirt and underwear on the bottom. America wears a bra and a light jacket, but is naked on the bottom. Russia has only her underwear left. Japan has nothing left.
At first glance, America appears to be most composed and seems to be the best position, as all the others are in various states of nakedness. However, while America may look radiant, her vulnerability has already been exposed. China and Russia may look naked, yet their key private parts remain hidden.
If the stakes of this game is that the loser strips off a piece of clothing, then if China loses, she will be in the same state as Russia (similar to when the USSR dissolved). If America loses, she also ends up in the same state as Russia. If Russia loses, she loses all. Japan has already lost everything.
Russia seems to be a mere “filler” player, but in fact is exchanging tiles with China. The real “filler” player is Japan, for Japan has nothing more to lose, and if she loses just once more she is immediately out of the game.
America may look like she is in the best position, but in fact is in a lot of danger, if she loses this round, she will give up her position as a world power. Russia is the most sinister, playing along with both sides, much like when China was de-occupied, she leaned towards the USSR and then towards America; as she did not have the ability to survive on her own, she had to weave between both sides in order to survive and develop.
There are too many of China’s tiles that we cannot see. Perhaps suggesting that China has several hidden aces? Additionally China is also exchanging tiles with Russia, while America can only guess from Taiwan’s expression of what actions have transpired between Russia and China. Japan on the other hand is completely oblivious, still focused solely on her own set of tiles.
Taiwan stares coldly at the game from aside. She sees everything that the players at the table are doing, she understands everything that is going on. But she doesn’t have the means or permission to join the game, she isn’t even given the right to speak. Even if she has a dearth of complaints, she cannot voice it to anyone, all she can do is to be a good page girl, and bring fresh fruit to the victor.
The final victor lies between China and America, this much is apparent. But look closely; while America is capable, they are playing Chinese Mahjong, not Western Poker. Playing by the rules of China, how much chance at victory does America really have?

China International Chongyang Festival Organizing Committee

Gilbert has been reconfirmed as vice chairman of the China International Chongyang Festival Organizing Committee, see: http://www.caidf.org.cn/show.aspx?id=259&cid=33
The China International Chongyang Festival is organized by the China Ageing Development Foundation (CAIDF), under the leadership of China National Committee on Ageing. It is approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The celebration is supported by the China National Committee for the Wellbeing of the Youth, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, all relevant international organizations and more than 100 embassies and dozens of domestic and foreign media. The first four successful celebrations of the China Chongyang Festival have won widespread praise among international communities and enhanced international cooperation and exchanges.
In 1989, China designated the “Ninth day of the Ninth month of the Lunar Calendar” to be the Festival Day for the Elderly. This day, also known as the Chongyang Festival, promotes respect, love and assistance towards the elderly. With the strong support of the Chinese government, the Committee hosted the “First China International Chongyang Festival” on 26 October 2009.
Gilbert has been part of the yearly event, also giving a speech (in English and Chinese…). It always takes place in the Great Hall of The People. Seniors give some really impressive performances.
See here some pictures from the last event on 27 October 2012.


His boss, the chairman of CAIDF, Li Shuchun, met with Mr. Bernard Pierre of Belgian Ambassador to China at the Annual Charity Ball of Rotary Club Beijing on 23 May 2009, as pictured on their website:
http://www.caidf.org.cn/8113.html
Mr. Li Shuchun is a former vice minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and was the guest of honor at the Ball.

Pictured is also Madame Khek Caimealy Sysoda, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia.