"Good Relations" Saved Me from Imprisonment in China

PROLOGUE

This is a story about how powerful relations in China can help or harm. For a brief primer on the meaning of relations in Chinese culture, click here.

ARRIVING IN A WONDERFUL PLACE: CHINA

For three years in the mid-1990's I worked and lived in Shanghai, China. I had been hired as Regional Manger for a Danish cargo service that was partnered with the Beijing City Planning Commission. This enterprise had offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shekou and Hong Kong. I led this company's Shanghai office sales for about 1½ years, with a business territory spanning the entirety of China's central and eastern regions.

During my short time in China, I had a unique opportunity to witness business, life, culture and China's perception of herself first-hand.

OFFICIALLY YOU'RE JUST A VISITOR - YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS

Sorting things out for your work visa with Chinese customs is hard enough. To read about this lovely process, click here.

No matter what position you're in when you visit another country, you're just that: a visitor. Don't ever assume you have any special rights.

I had my own harrowing experience to prove this...

VISA TROUBLE - MY FAULT

I was one of two foreigners among an office of about 35 Chinese workers. During the first few months of my employ with the JV, I was looked upon as a necessary but mostly innocuous foreign presence. After acquiring a short-term Chinese work visa stamp in my US passport, I unfortunately got wrapped up with work in the following months. I made the mistake of allowing my visa to lapse.

Back then in China, to allow this to a happen was a serious issue. With tremulous voices my Chinese office colleagues told me that if my problem was not handled well, I would face large fines at the least. And if matters got worse (as things easily can), I might even face accusation as a threat to national security.

My imprisonment was not at all out of the picture.

WHAT TO DO?