Settling-In Guide 2009

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Chengdu, The City

You Will Never Want to LeaveMoving to China brings along many changes to life especially when it comes to the running of day to day life. Given the differences in procedures and concepts Maxxelli has prepared this simple guide which will help make your life more independent.

Not everything can not listed but it will give you a good start

Maxxelli provides high end residential properties for rent and sale in Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing. Our international sales team and Chinese support team combine to create a perfect link between western standards and local traditions.

Understanding both sides of the equation, Maxxelli is able to simplify communications, satisfy clients quicker and above all, deliver contingency services effectively and efficiently.

What other real estate agencies offer as a service, it is standard procedure at Maxxelli Real Estate to provide customers with airport pick-ups, multi-language support, pre-selection e-mails, personalized property information, online accounts and more importantly, property viewings that match expectations.

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Index

• Telephone 4

• How to Make Telephone Calls 6

• How to Make International Calls

from a Landline 7

• Satellite TV 9

• Internet 10

• China Telecom Service Centers 12

• Neighborhood Service Centers 14

• Utility Payments 15

• Something is Hanging on My Door 17

• Your Information 18

• Useful Translations 20

• Basic bank procedures 22

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TelephonePred paid

• According to most Maxxelli standard contracts, landlord will pre-pay the fixed, monthly telephone line rental fee for your telephone.

• This fixed monthly telephone line rental fee, however, is mixed together with your actual usage fee on a single account system. This means when you make calls from your landline, a usage fee will be deducted from the overall account balance. When the balance reaches zero, your landline will no longer work.

• Note:Internet (ADSL) is also connected with the landline telephone and uses the same account! If the account balance is out, the ADSL will also not work and you will not be able to use the internet.

• All landline telephone accounts of non-Chengdu-locals are on a pre-pay system

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TelephoneWhere to pay

• China Telecom Service Center or a

“Neighborhood Center” (addresses

located on “Translation Card” and

below).

How to recharge

• Show Counter Staff your “Translation

Card” (with home phone number) and

give the amount of RMB you wish to

charge.

How to check the balance

• Call 10001 from your home phone

(Chinese skills required).

When to recharge:

• Any time Service Center or

Neighborhood Center are open.

Should charge before balance runs

out, but can charge at any time.

If the account balance runs out and is

not charged within 1 month, China

Telecom will cancel the line and

service will have to be reinstated. This

will result in a reinstallation fee and a

delay of 1-2 weeks.

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How to Make Telephone Calls

Dialing a Local Mobile or

Landline Phone:

• Dial the Number Directly

E.g.: Dial 85583992 to reach American

Consulate

Fee: Downtown – 0.22rmb/min for the

first 3 minutes, 0.11rmb/min after

Suburb – 0.3rmb per min

Dialing Non-Local-Landlines:

• Dial “0” + “City Code” + Phone

Number

E.g.: Suzhou’s City Code is “512”. Dial

0 - 512 - 67626351 to reach Maxxelli

Suzhou Office

Fee: 0.07rmb/ per 6 seconds;

0.7rmb/min. (calculate by every 6

seconds)

Dialing Non-Local-Chinese

Mobiles:

• Dial „0‟ + mobile number

Fee: 0.07rmb/ per 6 seconds; 0.7rmb

per min. (calculate by every 6

seconds)

Calling Chengdu from other

countries:

Dial + 86 + 28 + Landline Telephone

Number

Calling Chengdu from other countries:

Dial+86+MobileNumber

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How to Make International

Calls from a Landline

Option 1: Dialing 17909

• Dial 17909 + 00 + Country code + City Code + Phone Number

Phone Fee: International Fee plus Local Calling Fee

International Fee: Different countries have different charge

E.g.: Making a call to America (17909+00+1+City Code+phone number)

•

Country 17909 fee (RMB)

USA 2.4/min + local fee

Greece 4.6/min + local fee

Denmark 4.6/min + local fee

France 3.6/min + local fee

Poland 4.6/min + local fee

Belgium 7.6/min + local fee

Netherlands 4.6/min + local fee

Sweden 4.6/min + local fee

South Africa 4.6/min + local fee

Germany 3.6/min + local fee

Country 17909 fee (RMB)

Australia 3.6/min + local fee

Sri Lanka 4.6/min + local fee

Macao 1.5/min + local fee

HongKong 1.5/min + local fee

Philippine 3.6/min + local fee

Korea 3.6/min + local fee

Singapore 3.6/min + local fee

Vietnam 4.6/min + local fee

Japan 3.6/min + local fee

Italy 3.6/min + local fee

Country 17909 fee (RMB)

Spain 4.6/min + local fee

Switzerland 7.6/min + local fee

UK 3.6/min + local fee

Finland 4.6/min + local fee

Portugal 4.6/min + local fee

Turkey 4.6/min + local fee

Peru 4.6/min + local fee

New

Zealand

3.6/min + local fee

Romania 4.6/min + local fee

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Option 2: Dialing 96688 • This function must be initiated first; if this function is not already activated by landlord

at move-in, please contact your Maxxelli Customer Service Representative and

schedule a time to activate this service.

• Dial 96688+ 00 + Country code + City Code + Phone Number

• E.g.: Make call to America (96688+00+1+City Code+phone number)

• Phone Fee:RMB6 per month plus 96688 International Fee per minute

Country 96688 Fee

USA 0.68RMB

Greece 0.68RMB

Denmark 0.68RMB

France 0.68RMB

Norway Not Listed

Poland Not Listed

Belgium 0.68RMB

Netherland 0.68RMB

Sweden Not Listed

South Africa Not Listed

Country 96688 Fee

New Zealand 0.68RMB

Australia 0.68RMB

Sri Lanka Not Listed

India 0.68RMB

Macao 0.68RMB

Hong Kong 0.68RMB

Philippine Not Listed

Korea 0.68RMB

Singapore 0.68RMB

Country 96688 Fee

Spain Not Listed

Switzerland 0.68RMB

UK 0.68RMB

Finland 0.68RMB

Vietnam Not Listed

Japan 0.68RMB

Italy 0.68RMB

Germany 0.68RMB

Portugal 0.68RMB

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Satellite TV

Pre-Pay

• Satellite TV systems are illegal for Chinese Nationals. Should your unit be equipped

with one, please keep in mind the box and card are most likely a copied system so

quality will vary. In addition, the Philippine system (and other systems) are regularly

updated which results in a loss of channels until the new frequency code comes out

and/or the card is reprogrammed.

• For all satellite problems, please check the TV input is set to the satellite receiver and

receiver is on. Next, press and hold on “FORMAT” key on the satellite remote for 3-5

seconds; this will reset the system and reformat the available channels. If this

doesn‟t work, please refer to the below list of possible solutions.

Most Satellite TV

systems receive the

Philippine signal

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Common Satellite Problems

Only 4-5 channels work May require new card

~Picture freezes after a

couple of seconds

May require new card

~It says Card Error May require new card

~No Signal Frequency may be reprogramming, can take

5 days or more. May require new card.

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InternetPRE-PAID

• Although Chengdu is a hi-tech, international city, the internet speed in residential

areas can be very slow. The fastest internet speed available for residential use is 1.5

mbps, but this is simply the maximum speed. The actual speed will not get close to

this.

Common Internet Problems

• Web Page is inaccessible (Blocked): Some pages like Wikipedia are nearly always

inaccessible. Other pages, including email, can be periodically affected. A proxy

server can get around some of this but not all.

• Email Servers (Hotmail, Yahoo, Etc.) are problematic: In general, these pages work

fine, but sometimes can be inaccessible or difficult to access.

• Work Laptops have difficulty at home: Company Firewall Settings

• Company Email Servers and Programs need secure lines to run, emails sometimes

will not download

• Error Messages: Call Maxxelli

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InternetWhere to pay

• China Telecom Service Center or a “Neighborhood Center” (addresses located on

“Translation Card” and below).

How to recharge

• Show Counter Staff your “Translation Card” (with internet phone number) and give

the amount of RMB you wish to charge.

When to recharge

• Any time Service Center or Neighborhood Center are open. Should charge before

balance runs out, but can charge at any time.

How to check the balance

• Call 96333 from your home phone (Chinese skilss required)

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Test Internet Speed

Go to the following webpage:

• http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/

• Go to bottom of page and “Click to test Internet Speed”

• Wait for results

If the account balance runs out and is not

charged within 1 month, China Telecom

will cancel the line and service will have

to be reinstalled. This will result in a

reinstallation fee and a delay

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名称 Name of Service Center 电话 Tel. 地址 Address

人民东路营业Renmin Dong Lu

86741188人民东路58号

No.58 Ren Min Dong Road

东郊电信营业厅Dong Jiao

84433001东风路29号

No.29 Dong Feng Road

南郊电信营业厅Nan Jiao

85580222一环路南三段17号

No.17 South Section 3rd of First Ring Road

西城电信营业厅Xi Cheng

86648128羊市街西延线口

Crossing Road of Xi Yan Xian, Yang Shi Street

西郊电信营业厅Xi Jiao

8771967

87788981

一环路西三段23号No.23, West Section 3rd of First Ring Road

沙湾营业厅Sha Wan

87672991金沙路76号

No.76 Jin Sha Road

科华北路营业厅Ke Hua Bei Lu

85210142科华北路101号

No.101 Ke Hua Bei Road

新南营业厅Xin Nan

85484566新南路(新南局)87号附13号

No.87 Fu No.13, Xin Nan Road

高新电信营业厅Gao Xin

85176540紫丁巷2号

No.2 Zi Ding Jiang

浣花营业厅Kuan Hua

87373952二环路西二段69号附1号

No.69 Fu No.1, West Section 2nd of Second Ring Road

新华营业厅Xin Hua

84340340双林北支路473号

No.473 Shuang Lin Bei Zhi Road

红牌楼营业厅Hong Pai Lou

85082164高升桥路23号附136号

No.23 Fu No.136, Gao Sheng Qiao Road

神仙树营业厅Shen Xian Shu

85179400高新区神仙树北路16-18号

No.16-18 Shen Xian Shu RoadMaxxelli-blog.com

Utility PaymentsPost-Paid

• Utilities payments can be managed by Maxxelli by giving a deposit and small monthly

service fee. Please contact your Customer Service Representative for more details.

• Utilities are paid after usage, but the method and location of payment will vary per

compound. Specifics of utility payment will be covered during move-in.

• The last page in this guide provides useful translations, including translations for

paying various bills.

Water

• Payable in the Management Office of all compounds;

• best to go towards the end of the month.

Electricity

• If not payable at the Management Office, you MUST go

• to a Neighborhood Service Center between the 16th and

• 29th day of the month and pay (we recommend around

• the 20-25th).

•

BRING YOUR “HELP

CARD” AS THIS HAS A

REFERENCE NUMBER

ASSOCIATED TO YOUR

HOUSE

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Utility PaymentsGas

• Meter Reading: Every month (between the 1st and 15th day) someone will come by

your house to read to gas meter.

• Paying Gas: If not payable at the Management Office, you MUST go to a

Neighborhood Service Center between the 16th and 29th day of the month and pay

(we recommend around the 20-25th).

• If you are not home when someone comes to read the meter, the gas bureau has two

options:

• They can enter the bill as zero and get the reading the following month.

• They will guess usage based on previous month‟s usage and any actual differences

will be made up with the following month‟s meter reading.

BRING YOUR “HELP CARD”

AS THIS HAS A REFERENCE

NUMBER ASSOCIATED TO

YOUR HOUSE

AFTER TWO MONTHS OF NON-

PAYMENT, LATE CHARGES MAY

BE IMPOSED

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Something is Hanging on

My DoorDoes it say 72 or 144 RMB?

• If yes then it‟s the local Chinese cable TV fee. In most Maxxelli leases, this is

covered in your lease contract and you can ignore it. Otherwise, pay in Neighborhood

Service Center or have the Management Office help.

Does it look like a bill?

• If yes, then it could be management fees and/or various utility bills.

• DO NOT PAY MANAGEMENT FEES. These are covered with your monthly rental

and will be covered by your landlord.

• Your Customer Service Representative can tell you which fees are payable in the

management office.

• If you are going to the Management Office on a regular basis to pay your utility bills,

these notices can be ignored. They are usually bills for management fees and various

utilities.

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Basic Banking Procedures

Opening an Account (Foreign Currency Depositor‟s Account)

• Ask Bank Assistant for the Application Form (活期一本通)(This will most likely be in

Chinese so you may want to ask for assistance in filling it out.

• Ask Bank Assistant for queue number.

• Wait for your number to come up at one of the windows.

• Hand over Application Form, Passport, and at least 100 yuan for deposit to cashier

and tell which foreign currency account you would like to open (USD, Euro, Etc.).

• Sign where needed and pick a 6-digit pin number (keep this number secret).

• In the end, you will receive a bankbook, a debit card, and a balance showing the

amount of money you deposited to open the account.

• Required Documents: Application Form (acquired at bank)

*note: You will be asked to enter this number several times.

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Receiving Funds from AbroadProvide Payee With:

English Name of Bank

Address of Bank account was opened

Account Name

Swift Code of your Account (not the pin number)

Account Number (First page, upper-right corner ).

Important Notes:

• You should confirm the arrival date from the Payee‟s Bank.

• If your account receives a money transfer of foreign currency other than the currency

described when account was opened

• Example: account is a USD account, but Euro‟s are received), you will need to open a

separate account under the same bankbook with that currency.

• To withdraw cash, you must first go to bank and exchange money in your account

from foreign currency to RMB. If you receive USD, but do not convert any of it, your

balance will still show zero.

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Transferring Funds

• Provide Bank With: English Name of Bank Abroad

Address of Bank Abroad

Swift Code of Bank Abroad

Account Name of ReceiverAccount Number

• It can take around 5 workdays for transfer to be made.

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VISA SERVICES• Our company has a group of experienced experts who can offer you a chain of

service in visa transaction, business visa and resident permit.

• We ENSURE your visa meet all the laws during the term of validity.

USA UK HollandEurope

AustraliaAsia

Business Visa

6 months (multi-entry)2540 2539 2476 2025 2025

Business Visa

1 year (multi-entry)3042 3208 3140 2435 2435

Resident Permit

1 year3300 3300 3300 3300 3300

Resident Permit

2 years3800 3800 3800 3800 3800

5% extra charge for official Fapiao (invoice)

Maxxelli can provide an official, 6 months/12 months F visa! With this 6 months/1 year

F visa, you do not have to leave every 90 days.

The one year is valid from the date of last time you entered China (not from the day of

changing visa types). But you will have to go out of China when the visa

12 months F Visa is not

available now in

Chengdu due to Beijing

Olympics. It may come

back in the end of 2009

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Suzhou

T:(86)512 6762 6351

F:(86)512 6762 6352

Room 101,1/F,Yuelong Business Centre,

350 Jinjihu Avenue,SIP Suzhou, 215021

苏州工业园区金湖大道350号

岳隆商务楼1楼101室

Wuxi

T:(86)512 6762 6351

F:(86)512 6762 6352

Room 101,1/F,Yuelong Business Centre,

350 Jinjihu Avenue,SIP Suzhou, 215021

苏州工业园区金湖大道350号岳隆商务楼1楼101室

Chengdu

T:(86)28 8608 8861

F:(86)28 8531 9680

B1-1-607,Sun Dynasty International,

27,Section 4,South Renmin

Road,Chengdu,610041

成都市人民南路四段27号商鼎国际1栋1单元607号

Hangzhou

T:(86)571 2805 7945

F:(86)571 2805 7941

Room 105,Hangzhou Baiyue

Business Centre,

391 Wen'er

Road,Hangzhou,310012

杭州市文二路391号杭州百悦商务酒店105室

Chongqing

T:(86)23 6380 2995

F:(86)23 6380 2995

18-0301,World Trade Centre,

131 Zourong Road,Yuzhong

District,Chongqing,400010

重庆渝中区邹容路131号世界贸易中心大厦18-03-1

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