Working in Beijing

Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are better known for being economic centres while Beijing has been traditionally the cultural and political centre. Beijing has a large manufacturing industry that is increasingly producing high-tech equipment. A large financial sector, both Chinese and foreign, drives much of Beijing's economy. This includes many foreign banks with offices in Beijing. While Shanghai is headquarters of many established international companies Beijing has begun a new role as a start-up businesses centre.

 

Industry in Beijing is increasingly opening to foreign investment. An example of this in the healthcare industry is the country's acceptance of foreign owned hospitals and a reliance on foreign businesses to revamp its state run medical centres.

 

Indicative of the city's desire to do international business are the large number of English language schools. These employ a large community of expat English teachers, and are the easiest places to find employment in Beijing. Teaching wages are usually below other expat jobs. Expats hired or relocated from overseas will typically have a much higher salary and more relocation benefits than expats hired from within Beijing.

Its important to note that a Chinese work permit is needed for an expat to work in Beijing.