Working in Guangzhou
Not only is Guangzhou (Colonial Canton) one of China’s largest seaports, but it is also well situated to be a key manufacturing and export hub. Guangzhou’s economy is attracting more and more interest from foreign investors, particularly in the manufacturing industry.
The automotive, petrochemical and electronics sectors are key to the Guangzhou economy. Electrical and mechanical manufacturing as well as high-tech assembly industries all draw a great deal of foreign interest which, in turn, lures international companies to the city. Many of these companies hire expats for their senior positions.
Since 1957, Guangzhou has been host to China’s largest trade fair twice a year in Spring and Autumn. The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is designed to showcase how important Guangzhou is to national trade.
The automotive, petrochemical and electronics sectors are key to the Guangzhou economy. Electrical and mechanical manufacturing as well as high-tech assembly industries all draw a great deal of foreign interest which, in turn, lures international companies to the city. Many of these companies hire expats for their senior positions.Since 1957, Guangzhou has been host to China’s largest trade fair twice a year in Spring and Autumn. The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is designed to showcase how important Guangzhou is to national trade.
The larger industries in the city tend to create offshoot industries that are eager to employ expats. Also, as China’s economy moves more and more towards privately owned companies and away from state-owned businesses, more jobs are made accessible to expats, especially expats who are fluent in Mandarin. Expats are able to find jobs in the textile industry as well as mining, oil, engineering, hospitality, construction, shipbuilding and IT industries. With the growth of international trade the demand for English teachers has also increased, native English speakers can easily find a job in the city and it is not necessary for teachers to have an ESL certificate or qualification.
While there are a lot of work opportunities for expats wishing to move to Guangzhou and China in general, they do come at a price. Business meetings and negotiations are long, formal and drawn out processes.
Work weeks are also long, with the average oscillating between 40 and 60 hours each week. China has a total of seven national holidays each year and while there are vacation days, the working hours and workload tend to be more demanding than expats are used to.
Work weeks are also long, with the average oscillating between 40 and 60 hours each week. China has a total of seven national holidays each year and while there are vacation days, the working hours and workload tend to be more demanding than expats are used to.
