The air pollution....I went for a ride in the countryside yesterday there were like 1000 farmers having bonfires, plastic, corn husks, leaves....anything. I kept wanting to say "compost!" it will break down naturally, you don't need to burn it! Was like some great leap forward of burning crap, just like some addictive behavior, seriously most people seem addicted to burning and fires. Possibly it's a cultural phenomenon like burning paper money.

Quote Originally Posted by modron View Post
I have a TIC question. I went to a bank recently (Bank of China) inquiring about a VISA or Master Card. They said that, as a foreigner, Im not allowed to have it unless I have over RMB200000 on my account......another stupid s**t, anyway I wont rant cos I agree with TexasAggies wife ;)
I know that there are 4 State owned Banks, is it easier to get one of those bank cards in them?
Probably that rule is there so you don't run up some massive debt and 'run for it' leaving the poor lil Chinese bank out of pocket. In reality I'm sure Visa and Mastercard probably have ways of hunting you down worldwide. Maybe some kind of better than a Unionpay debit card like a Visa debit is possible. Or ask at an HSBC, these rules seem to get liberalized over time.