June 26, 2010
There is great confusion amongst foreigners about the Chinese age limitation of 60 for foreign teachers to receive a Foreign Expert Certificate (FEC), a legal prerequisite to employment in China. This confusion has recently been exacerbated by an erroneous report in the Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2009/12/foreign-teachers-in-china-who-are-not-too/31163/
http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2009/12/updates-mullen-obama-in-us-old-fat-in-china/31215/
http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2009/12/more-on-the-ousted-foreign-teachers-in-china/31268/
It is true that China has a National SAFEA advisory that foreigners over 60 should NOT be issued a Foreign Expert Certificate, a prerequisite to a residency permit. Some Provinces follow this recommendation and others do not and still others modify it to suit their local situation. There are several reasons put forth for this advisory:
1. The death rate of foreign teachers over 60 is too high and the death of a foreigner is troublesome for the Chinese authorities.
2. All foreign teachers are required to have health insurance but no Chinese insurance company will issue a health policy to a foreigner over 60.
3. Male Chinese workers must retire at 60 and females at 55. Chinese internet forums are littered with complaints about foreigners being allowed to work past vthe mandatory retirement age. “Why can foreigners do something in China that Chinese people cannot do?”
I will only speak from personal knowledge.
Beijing enforces this limitation. However, there are so many exceptions that the “rule” is really only used to exclude undesirable applicants. In 2010 the oldest foreigner to receive an FEC was 74.
Shanghai does not implement this “rule.”
Guangzhou does not implement this “rule.” In 2010 the oldest foreigner to receive an FEC was 76.
Guangxi does not implement this “rule.” In 2010 the oldest foreigner to receive an FEC was 70.
Fujian enforces the “rule” but will renew an FEC for someone employed prior to turning 60.
Hubei and Zhejiang will issue an FEC until the age of 65. In 2009 the oldest foreigner to receive an FEC in Hubei was 72 and in Zhejiang was 69.
Henan, Gansu, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Liaoning have an absolute prohibition and there are no exceptions.
Jilin implements the “rule” but there are exceptions made.
There is a definite prejudice in favor of youth, even if the young “teacher” has no relevant education or experience. Many universities employ exchange students who are not even native English speakers. The reason is simple; English is not a serious subject or pursuit. The “teacher” just needs to chat or play guitar, be an entertaining white monkey. Real teachers with a proper educational background and experience are NOT wanted.
On the download page read the article China EFL: Foreign Teacher Needed
There is a trend in central China toward hiring Filipinas because they work very cheaply on their feet all day and work on their back at night for free.
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UPDATE: JULY 20, 2010
Henan Province will allow a foreign teacher over 60 to be issued an FEC on 2 conditions:
a. The school makes a special request based upon need and special circumstances.
b. The foreign teacher signs a waiver of medical liability. Medical insurance is mandatory for foreign teachers but no Chinese Insurance Company will write a policy for any foreign teacher over 60.
This update provided by -
yefei, 13598785819, <yefei198144@sohu.com>
Foreign Affairs Office, Kaifeng University, Kaifeng City, Henan Province
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UPDATE July 22, 2010
Ganzu Province is not enforcing the 60 year “rule.”
This update provided by -
Jane, wangjane384@gmail.com Foreign Affairs Office, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province
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