Passport woes

I’VE been reading lately in the news how China is going to crack down on illegal immigrants and randomly check passports.

And that is all fine and well for those foreigners who are in the country as “tourists,” especially those who don’t follow the registration rules and work illegally. But what about those of us who are not tourists?

I have lived in Shenzhen since mid-2000. I’m the Legal Representative for two foreign-owned companies in Shenzhen. This means my passport is often needed for banking, customs, tax issues, etc. So with two companies I almost never see my passport as it is often being used for business-related issues.

So my problem is, how can I be expected to carry my passport 24/7 when I live and work here (legally) and my passport is often being used for red-tape things related to business?

I’m 100 percent for enforcing the immigration laws and having random inspections. But, considering the international country that China is becoming, they should come up with an ID card system that can be used for those of us who live and work here legally. I carry my Chinese Driver’s License and Social Insurance Card with me when I go out; but in my case it is impossible to always carry my passport. This system forces me to break the law.

It’s time that China followed many other countries in having an ID card system for non-nationals that live and work in the country legally.

Stan Smith via e-mail

Online scam

I AM a trader who has been exporting goods from China to Kenya for some time. I have been enjoying a good relationship with traders in China but I recently had a very bad experience with a con artist in Shenzhen.

We came into contact with a Shenzhen company via Alibaba.com, and started negotiating over prices of electronic goods including TV sets, laptops and computer accessories. We placed an order with the company for five TV sets, two laptops and four flash discs, paying a total of US$981. However, after making the payment, we lost contact with the company’s sales representative. Our e-mail and phone calls to her all went unanswered after payment was made.

I hope people who read this will beware of being cheated by such online scams.

Obagah Malachi via e-mail

Hotels for examinees

AS the National College Entrance Examinations (NCEE) approach, many hotels in Shenzhen and other parts of China are promoting special rooms for students who will sit the NCEE later this week. Many parents are also booking such a room in a hotel close to the examination venue, so their children can have a good rest.

However, such special hotel rooms may not be good for the examinees. Some students may find that adapting to a new bedroom adds to the stress. Some may even feel extra pressure, because such an arrangement makes it clear how important the examination is to parents.

The pressure facing NCEE examinees is huge. What parents should do is help their children relax, not give more pressure. Ma Lihua via e-mail