Expat in Kunming

Alan Stroud in Kunming, China - Expat Interview

I had the pleasure of doing a recent interview with Alan Stroud, a long time expat who has lived in Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines. Currently, Mr. Stroud is Technical Director of Firexpress in Kunming, China.

RE - What motivated you to move offshore, and eventually to Yunnan Province in China?

Alan - I think it could be agreed that I have a touch of Gypsy in me; being born in the UK, I, at the age of 5 accompanied my parents to Africa, where I lived until the age of 15. I had always been a sporting/adventurous type, and at the age of 15 decided to go back to the UK and upon reaching the age of 16 enlisted at the Army Apprentice College, where I did 2 year course of Vehicle Engineering.

Upon completing this course I was sent (posted) to a front line Regiment but quickly became bored. To escape this boredom I had two options, volunteer for Special Forces such as Parachute Regiment or Army Commandoes.

To be truthful, I could see no way why anyone should jump out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft so I opted for the second option, completed my Commando course and started plying my trade with the Green Berets.

I served over 7 years with them and that satisfied my Gypsy life style, however my constant absence from home did not settle well with my then wife, so I requested a two year "soft" posting to try to save my marriage. The only stipulation was that I did not want Hong Kong.

Murphy's Law kicked in and a month later my wife and I found ourselves at the immigration queue at Kai Tak.

To my surprise I immediately loved Hong Kong and started to immerse myself into the civilian life in my off duty hours. After two years I was offered a very good job with the Hong Kong Government and purchased my discharge with HM Forces.

The first year in HK I was attached to the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Vehicle Examiner and then transferred to the Hong Kong Fire Department running one of their workshops.

Many years prior to the British handover of Hong Kong to China, I was approached by a UK fire fighting manufacturer and took the position of Asian Service Centre Manager based in Hong Kong. This entailed a tremendous amount of traveling through out the region and as these were quite early times, my visits to the THEN China used to scare the hell out of me. There were no or very few 5 Star Hotels, it was impossible to talk to the locals as it was banned, but perhaps the most nerve wracking was the constant presence of a minder!!. Talk of the total feeling of isolation!

In 1996 the company I worked for were bought out and the company closed and I was offered a senior position in Manila, which I enjoyed before being head hunted for a very good position in Thailand where I did seven years.

Sadly after being in Asia for over 30 years these last couple of months, the shine of Thailand has become tarnished and the Gypsy element has kicked in again.

So an international fire manufacturer offered the China market to a Chinese company and I was asked to join them as Technical Director, based in Kunming, which I accepted.

RE - Are you currently living in China or Thailand?

Alan - I work mostly in China now but still visit Thailand regularly as the Factory is in Chonburi [Thailand]

RE - I know that you also lived in Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines. How does Yunnan, and China in general, compare?

Alan - China has not just turned the corner; it has accelerated around that corner. Its a totally different country now. Modern. Clean, vibrant, and international goods easily available at reasonable prices. The locals are extremely friendly and helpful and I am forever being stopped and engaged in conversation - a huge change AND no more minder!

RE - Reliable information about visas for China is a bit difficult to find. What visas do/did you hold and how easy are they to get? Any information on retirement visas?

Alan - Visas I really am not too sure about, I hold a visa that allows me to do business in China and is for 6 months multi entry. Once I get my feet under the table I will apply to get a Z Visa which then allows me to be employed full time in China with a residence card. May I say that I found the visa situation for me to be hassle free and easy.

As for retiring in China, I would assume its possible but I would have thought as the years go on it's a warmer climate that would be more required

RE - How well do you speak the language?

Alan - You have hit on one of my weak points, languages are the bane of my life, although whilst in HK I was able to get by with my reasonable Cantonese, but Mandarin is a different ball game.

RE - Do you have medical insurance?

Alan - Yes.

RE - How do you make you living?

Alan - By being a Board Member of a Chinese Company plus commission.

RE - What is you housing situation .. and costs involved?

Alan - I live in a two storied Condominium with live able space of over 2000 Sq Feet which the company pays 2000 RMB a month (approx 10,800 Baht). Nice comfortable property but located on the 6th floor with no elevator

RE - I have seen mixed information about foreigners ability to own property in China. Do you have any information on that?

Alan - Property rules in China are as Thailand and Philippines, needs a local wife to buy, however anyone owning a house/property in China can only occupy for 75 years (I believe) before Government takes it back.

RE - How do you like the people .. compared to Thais and Filipinos?

Alan - The Chinese people are of a different culture to the Thais and Filipinos, its like chalk and cheese but I find the Chinese more sincere than the Thais, but the Filipinos lead the pack with their more western ways and ability to communicate in English.

RE - Do you miss home? How often do you visit?

Alan - I miss nothing about my home country and visit as little as possible.

RE - What do you like most about China?

Alan - Its vibrancy, its culture and its history.

RE - What do you like least about China?

Alan - Possibly the inability of the Chinese to speak quietly and on the odd occasion the strong bone numbing icy winds.

RE - What are your plans for the future?

Alan - The future is in my hands, China has a huge market potential, I have no dreams of becoming a millionaire but I am sure an extremely comfortable and successful working future is available

RE - What do you think are the most common misconceptions about China?

Alan - Misconceptions of China? Hmm, Cannot put my finger on one but I would suggest that for those who have not visited, they think of China as dirty, drab and everyone wears Mao style collars. Nothing could be further from the truth, the modern girls wear very fashionable, and dare I say it sexy clothes, whilst the new cities are as modern and clean as you will find anywhere in the world.

RE - What do you think are the most common mistakes expats make when moving offshore?

Alan - This is an easy one. For a lot of Expats, most I would suggest have never traveled too far from their home countries, or if they have then usually as two week tourists. Lets take Thailand as a classic, Guys go there and they don't go for the Temples or the Culture, what they go for is the cheap night life. That's fine but sorry to say for me that wore off very quickly. In the seven years I was in Thailand I think I stepped into a bar only about twice. I would say that most people are blinkered and have not really done their homework in depth before taking the plunge.

Another vomit making attitude are the ones who move across then complain that the Fish and Chips are not up to standard, or Thai food is too hot etc. the inability to change ones attitude and try to sway with the wind is a must but not much in evidence.

RE - Please feel free to make any comments about any subject you feel would be of interest to expats.

Alan - From experience I would suggest that Expats try to integrate into the local communities, leave the arrogance back in the house, be friendly, sincere and reap the benefits. Failure to do so will ensure they stand out like sore thumbs and will certainly isolate themselves. And finally, remember a drunkard is an idiot asking for real trouble.

About the Expat: Alan Stroud is living in China and working as the Technical Director for Firexpress China, supplying revolutionary first strike fire fighting equipment. www.firexpress.com