Coming to China, Challenges for Foreigners

The Different Faces of China and How they Affect Foreigners

May 18, 2009

China has become a new destination for foreigners from different geographical backgrounds. They face different challenges depending on their nationalities and skin color.

China is a country of two (or more faces) to foreigners. There is the visible side and the invisible one. It is a country of boundless beauty, enticing cultures and fascinating people. China always has something new to offer a foreigner depending on how much that foreigner can take. Part of this package and the most common one, is the unblinking gaze that follows a foreigner wherever he/she goes.

Making Friends in China, the Starting Point for Foreigners

The ancient Chinese sage Confucius once described China’s love for foreigners in very brotherly words. “What a pleasure to have friends from the other side of the world.” For foreigners in China, making friends with Chinese could be a very enriching experience. This is however true only at the personal and social levels. Inspired by the culture of kindness to foreigners, the Chinese will bleed to death to satisfy a foreigner.

It may, however, be difficult to distinguish between genuine concern and the “exaggerated” kindness of many Chinese. This is because many foreigners in China come from backgrounds where relationships are founded on personal interests. With this mindset, it is difficult to understand why a Chinese friend would always prefer to be on the giving side. Again, this is the unseen part of China, known only to the Chinese.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Foreigners in China

In his article “Love-hate relationship” Geofrey York observes that “Nationalism is a very strong force in China ….” This nationalism is what defines the relationship between the Chinese and foreigners at all levels – social, economic and professional.

For foreigners to inspire their Chinese audiences, they have to mind their choice of words. Below are agreeable statements that can thrill a Chinese audience.

On the other hand certain statements have to be avoided at all cost. A foreigner will be inviting trouble by making statements such as:

Statements like these are not welcome at all and mentioning them is a blow on China’s national pride and glory.

“The Chinese can instantly turn hostile to foreigners at any perceived slight,” says York. York recounts an incident involving a Canadian who was caught in a row with a Chinese mob in the coastal city of Hainan in December 2005. What began as a little pushing and shoving soon developed into a national scandal in which the Canadian’s pictures went online. “The issue was compounded because the Canadian was black,” observes York.

A Question of Nationality and Race

Nationality is a defining feature in how foreigners are viewed and treated in many parts of China. The name that is respected and feared in China is America. Carrying a white skin and the American nationality entitles you to red carpet treatment where ever you set foot in China. Britain, Canada and Australia follow along this line because of China’s guest for the English language and also her love for the western culture and way of life.

Nationality and racism are two sides of the same coin in China. As a growing force, racism is manifested in many ways including the way people are seen on the streets. In the area of employment preference is given to the white skin. Even westerners of black skin have to prove their nationality before enjoying privileges reserved for whites. Africans and Asians are simply considered inferior and incompetent.

China’s “Open Door” policy is a significant milestone in its relations with the outside world. Since this policy came into force, foreigners have flocked into China to share in the boundless wealth of the Middle Kingdom. This has created a new social landscape in which foreigners have been sorted into ranks according to nationality and the color of their skin. Foreigners also have to learn the do’s and don’ts of the People’s Republic of China.

Fowale, Tongkeh Joseph. “The Long road to the east: African Immigrants in China,” American Chronicle, January 03 2008.

York, Geofrey. “Love-and-Hate Relationship,” Globe and Mail, January 8, 2004

The copyright of the article Coming to China, Challenges for Foreigners in China Travel is owned by Tongkeh Joseph Fowale. Permission to republish Coming to China, Challenges for Foreigners in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.