There are increasing opportunities to work or study in China. Most foreign workers are employed as English teachers, and most universities and many private colleges now have a few foreign teachers. Most other foreigners residing in China are students.

Schemes to find teachers are run from Chinese embassies abroad - write to them for details. If you're already in China, approach the universities themselves. Salaries are about ¥1500 a month, more than a Chinese worker earns, but not enough to allow you to put any aside. The pay is bolstered by on-campus accommodation - a room in a foreigners' dormitory, usually without a phone. Contracts are generally for one year.

The main reason to teach is to experience the culture at a deeper level than as a tourist. However, some teachers in small towns and rural areas find that the local authorities place restrictions on interaction - for example, you may not be allowed to entertain a local in your room. You don't need any qualifications beyond an ability to speak English, but if you have teaching experience you may be classified as a foreign expert, which means a bigger salary and perhaps even a room with a carpet. Teachers have a workload of between ten and twenty hours a week - a lot more than their Chinese counterparts have to do. In the classroom, you should avoid talking about religion or politics as this can get you into trouble. Most teachers find their students keen, hard-working, curious and obedient, and report that it was the contact with them that made the experience worthwhile.

Universities welcome Western students for the extra revenue they bring. Courses cost about US$3500 a year, or US$1000 a semester. Accommodation costs around US$10 a day. Most courses are in the Chinese language, but it's possible to study just about anything. Be aware, however, that if you want to study acupuncture, martial arts or Chinese medicine, courses run in the West are often better. Write to the embassy for a list of universities, then contact the colleges themselves, but it's best not to sign up for a course until you've visited the campus and be wary of paying up front.

China's opening presents a wealth of business opportunities , usually in joint-venture operations where the Chinese have a controlling interest. However, anyone wanting to do business in China is advised to do some thorough research. The difficulties are formidable - red tape and corrupt and shady business practices abound. Remember that the Chinese do business on the basis of mutual trust and personal connection and pay much less attention to contractual terms or legislation. If you're looking for a job, it's best to turn up in Beijing and Shanghai and trawl around offices - an ability to speak Chinese is usually expected. Even foreign firms in China use the Chinese system of guanxi (connections) more than they would at home, and getting to know the right people is even more important here. If you want to write to companies, find out the name of the personnel manager - a letter without a name at the top won't get opened.

Except in Shanghai and Hong Kong, foreigners are technically allowed to reside only in certain areas. Housing prices in such places are expensive, usually at least US$2000 a month. Increasingly, many foreigners live with locals and in Chinese neighbourhoods, though it's not strictly legal. Officially, you're the guest of the landlord, and it can be worth registering with the PSB as such.