Visiting China NOW
 

I realize that many FTers are tempted by the impossible, so here goes:
1. acquire a work permit, or similar (this is possible for less than $1000)
2. Purchase direct flight to China (BKK-PVG is only around $1500, but you need to stay in Thailand for 30 days)
3. SFO, SEA, DFW, JFK are a cool $5.000
5. LAX (to anywhere) will save you $1,000
7. Plan on $1000 for the Covid tests at origin
8. Make sure you have a place to go after

Q2 visas are now allowed in multiple countries (e.g., Canada) for non-emergency travel, so things are much easier compared to a week ago.

None of this is accurate. Sorry moondog, this may be last year’s info. Or when I comes to the work permit stuff, info from pre-Covid. Your flight prices are ridiculously low, if there is even availability.

Also, I’d advise anyone thinking about traveling to China now to really think hard, keep thinking until you change your mind.

I want to focus on getting here.
-those 10-year visas are rubbish for now, but you can clear the entry hurdle by putting up a bit of coin
-in theory, you can Q in Taiwan instead of here (this would be great; we need data points)
-Thailand will bring your overall costs down because you can fly from the US or Europe to there ($1500), stay for a month ($1000), and then fly to China ($1200)+ q in China.

I fully realize that the above plan is less than optimal, but it does work.

GUARANTEED way to get to China FAST!!!!
Success rate of MORE THAN 92%!!!!!

1) Get engaged to Eric Masisi's daughter of Botswana, and push for a speedy wedding.
2) At the wedding reception ask Eric for some kind of diplomatic position.
3) Go to China on a Botswanan Diplomatic Passport.

Can't do that - anyone entering China from Taiwan is treated just like entering from any other country. Quarantine based on your city of entry.

And from LAX, the cheapest flights I can find now for early August (if my kid wants to start the next semester in time) is close to $15,000.

So for us, not realistic. Kid will be attending the (free) school here next semester.

Yes, just show up at the airport with a print out of your work permit authorization and you're good to go! Vincent said so! Then follow steps 3,5, and 7 but step 8 is optional. Don't ask about steps 4 and 6.

This thread seems like the result of a manic episode. Have they been putting a little extra plasticizer in the dumplings over there?

Melamine. Get your toxic fillers right!

Damn, I remember that one; wasn't it added to artificially fool the testing of milk to appear as having higher milk fat content, and thusly sell the laced milk at a higher price?

Not just milk, but baby formula.

But yeah, the Shanghai lockdowns are the opposite of tempting. Especially after reading kb1992's experience- if that's what you have to deal with even with high-level connections in every corner of the country, then I can only imagine what I'd have to deal with as a normal person. Nope.

I am glad that I am no longer being suspected of developing Stockholm Syndrome since getting out of China earlier this year.

No, it was to pretend there was more protein than there really was. (I suspect it permitted diluting the milk.) Simplistic test that assumed nitrogen = protein.

Yep, it caused a higher protein count based on testing protocols for baby formula. The substitution allowed for less milk powder which was much more expensive than melamine powder.