From: xc17@cicero.spc.uchicago.edu ()
Subject: CND-US, August 22, 1992
Organization: U of Chicago, SSPPCC
Summary:  CND-US
Reply-To: cnd-us@sdsc.edu
Keywords: CND-US
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 13:32:36 GMT
X-Posted-From: cicero.spc.uchicago.edu
X-Posted-Through: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+   C h i n a   N e w s   D i g e s t  +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

                             (US Regional)
                         Saturday, August 22, 1992

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| CND-US, normally 1 or 2 issues a week, is a supplement to CND-Global and |
| has  basically no overlap with the daily news.  CND-US provides in-depth |
| information concerning Chinese students/scholars in the United States.   |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Table of Contents                                                 # of Lines
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1. IFCSS News: Statements on Wang Junntao's Hunger Strike and Goverment 
            Regulations on Overseas Students; Survey on Parental Visits ..32
2. Q&A on the Rules on F-1 Student Employment and Practical Training ....103
3. Capital Iron & Steel Recruiting Overseas Students and Professionals .. 53
4. Letters from Readers: Irregularities with Chinese Airlines;
                         Visa Application in China ..................... 125
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1. IFCSS News: Statements on Wang Junntao's Hunger Strike and Goverment 
            Regulations on Overseas Students; Survey on Parental Visits ..32
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>From: IFCSS HQ, <ifcss@wam.umd.edu>
Source: IFCSS HQ News Release 4009, August 21, 1992, abridged by CND

IFCSS HQ has released an official statement regarding Wang Juntao's hunger
strike. The statement pointed out that the recent evants in China, such as
Bao Tong's trial and conviction, continued persecution and inhuman treatment
of political dissidents, have proved that the Chinese Government has no
sincere desire for political reform and the improvement of human rights
conditions in China.

IFCSS HQ has also released a statement to the news media on the Chinese
government's new regulations on the return of overseas students to China.
The statement pointed out that human rights conditions have not been
improved in China. The Government have not taken concrete steps toward
political reform.  After evaluating the recent events in China, the
statement concluded that it is not safe for the Chinese students to return
at this time.

The above two statements are written in Chinese. The event has direct
implications for the Protection Campaign, and we will try to work out
English versions as early as possible.

Many students/scholars have complained that their parents have been denied
visas for visiting them in the United States. This morning, Zhang Qingsong,
the IFCSS HQ executive director, brought some cases to Ms. Laura Reiff,
IFCSS Attorney who has been helping us in the Family Reunion program. They
agreed to explore the ways to make parental visits easier. One of the things
we need to do is to conduct a survey on parental visits to IFCSS members.

Survey forms have been designed. Volunteers are needed to oversee the polls,
collect data, do the analysis and in the end submit the result to the HQ.
This is also a program which will benefit all the Chinese students and
scholars.  Volunteer support is very needed.

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2. Q&A on the Rules on F-1 Student Employment and Practical Training ....103
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>From: Amy Yenkin, NAFSA Central Office, forwarded by Bo Xiong
Source: NAFSA Communication Network, August 18, 1992

On July 20 the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) published an
interim final rule on F-1 student employment and practical training.  The
following are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.  Most
questions stem from reading the new rule without the October 29, 1991 rule;
the two rules must be read together for a complete understanding of the new
procedures.

Q: How long does an F-1 student have to be enrolled before beginning
practical training?

A: The regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10) [October 29, 1991] state that
"practical training is available to F-1 students who have been lawfully
enrolled on a full-time basis in a Service approved college, university,
conservatory, or seminary for at least nine consecutive months."

Q: How many months of optional practical training is available to F-1
students?  Is precompletion practical training deducted from post completion
practical training?  

A: In the new rule, INS has combined precompletion and post completion
practical training into optional practical training.  Both of the previous
categories now comprise optional practical training.  THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING AVAILABLE IS TWELVE MONTHS.
 
Optional practical training includes training: 1) during the student's
annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session if the
student is currently enrolled and intends to register for the next term of
the session; 2) while school is in session, provided that practical training
does not exceed twenty hours a week; 3) after completion of course
requirements (but before completion of a course of study), excluding a
thesis or the equivalent, if the student is in a bachelor's master's, or
doctoral degree program; and 4) after completion of the course of study.

Q: What if a student used precompletion practical training before the F-1
regulations were changed last fall?  How will this impact the amount of
optional practical training remaining?

A: The INS office in Indianapolis, under guidance received from INS
headquarters in Washington, recently refused a request for optional
practical training based on usage of precompletion practical training under
the old regulations.  Although no formal statement has been issued, it
should be noted that INS officials have stated that any precompletion
practical training previously used will be deducted from the twelve months
of optional practical training available under the new regulations.  INS
anticipates strong objection to this decision and welcomes any arguments to
the contrary.

Q: What should DSOs write on the I-538 to certify for employment based on
economic hardship?

A: On the front page of the form I-538 under section 9, DSOs should write
the following after "Check one:" Severe Economic Hardship Authorized i/a/w
8CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C) until [date].  (I/A/W stands for in accordance
with.)

Q: What is the application period for applying for optional practical
training after completion of a course of study?

A: Because the new F-1 regs were written very hurriedly, sections of the
October 29 regs were removed and not replaced in the new regs.  If you look
at the two sets of regulations together, you will notice that the paragraph
which stipulates the application period for practical training is now
missing.  What remains can be found in paragraph 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11): "An F-1
student must apply for the EAD on form I-765 at the Service office having
jurisdiction over his or her place of residence during the same 120 day
period when the DSOs are authorized to recommend practical training."

Unfortunately, in no other place is the 120 day period defined.  This error
will more than likely be corrected when INS publishes a final rule.  For
this reason, DSOs should continue the procedure of recommending optional
practical training 90 days before or thirty days after completion of a
course of study.

Q: If a student has completed all course requirements (excluding thesis),
can the DSO recommend full time optional practical training while school is
in session?

A: The regulations for optional practical training state only one case when
optional practical training must be part time: "when school is in session,
provided that practical training does not exceed twenty hours a week while
school is in session." The three other options, including the case in
question, do not stipulate whether optional practical training must be part
time.

Q: How are PRC students who fall under the Executive Order affected by the
new rule?

A: As you may remember, after the October 29 F-1 rule was published, PRC
nationals in F-1 status who fell under the terms of the Executive Order and
wanted to begin or extend off-campus employment had to apply for
authorization under the pilot program.  The reasoning was found in a May 7,
1990 cable from INS which stated: "The Executive Order on PRC nationals is
implemented administratively within the framework of the existing
regulations.  Except where special exemptions have been instituted,
nonimmigrant PRC nationals [including F-1 students] are still bound by the
regulations governing their respective classifications."  Because the
October 29 regulations eliminated economic hardship from the regulations,
PRC students were forced to apply for employment authorization either
through the pilot program or by applying for a deferral of enforced
departure.  Happily, now that economic hardship has been reinstated, PRC
nationals who fall under the Executive Order can apply for off- campus
employment under the terms of the new regulations for economic hardship.

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3. Capital Iron & Steel Recruiting Overseas Students and Professionals .. 53
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>From: Science and Technology Salon of Ottawa via <cao@irc.lan.nrc.ca>
Source: Soc.Culture.China, August 21, 1992

CISC (Capital Iron & Steel Corporation --"Shou\/Gang-Zong\/Gong-Si-") is one
of the top ten enterprises in China in terms of economic efficiencies.
CISC's profit in 1991 was 2.926 billion (RMB), ranking first among China's
top 500 enterprises.  CISC has more than 100 subsidiary enterprises with a
total of 200,000 employees, including 44 domestic corporations and 15 joint
venture corporations located in 21 provinces of china.  CISC has also
established independent and joint venture companies, as well as marketing
networks in 12 countries around the world such as USA and Belgium.  While
its main products being iron and steel, CISC's businessesalso include
mining, machinery, electronics, construction, chemical engineering, light
industry, shipping, shipbuilding, automobile parts, tourism, agricultural
machinery, and clothing industry.  CISC has also a strong technical force
with 72 research institutes and 29,235 technical and professional stuff.

The Chinese State Council has made decision to give CISC more extended
rights, including approval of self-funded projects costing less than $10
million (US) abroad or 200 Million (RMB) inside China; activities in
international trade and cooperations and personnel exchanges; establishment
of its own bank to offer various financial services in both RMB and foreign
currencies, participating in international financial activities, and
management of its own foreign currencies. 

The service department for the returning professionals in CISC will do its
best to help returnees in creating good working and living conditions.  The
offers for employment can be in different types such as term contract,
consulting service, or formal employment; Oversea professionals can get a
continuous service years (gong-ling/) when working for CISC.  The monthly
salary will no lower than 400 RMB; Married couples can generally have a two
bedroom apartment; Spouses and children of the professionals who work as a
formal employee in CISC will have the advantage in employment and access to
kindergarten facilities.

The company currently has 630 openings for various fields including all
major engineering fields and natural sciences, business and acounting,
medicine, and costume design.  All correspondence for employment should be
addressed to :

Ms. Shu Youzhen or Mr. Hu Tao
Service Department for Overseas Students and Professionals
CISC, Shijingshan , Beijing, 100041
Tel:  829-2276;  829-4394; Telex: 222893 SGC CN;
Fax: 829-4572; 829-3518;  Cable :  CMCSB Beijing

The Education Office of the Chines Embassy in Ottawa is also willing to
provide possible services and helps for those who are interested in CISC
employment opportunities.  The contacting address and telephone numbers are:

80 Cobourg St. , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada , K1N 8H1
Tel (613)232-6312;   Fax (613)232-2094

[Editor's Note: For a complete list of openings in CISC, please contact the
                author of this news item.]

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4. Letters from Readers: Irregularities with Chinese Airlines;
                         Visa Application in China ..................... 125
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>From: Aubrey J. Zhang, <JTZhang@UNCAMULT.BITNET>
Date: Friday, August 21, 1992

I am a Chinese student at the University of Calgary in Canada.  From July 20
to August 16, I was in China for a home-touring trip after my four-year's
living out of the Motherland.

In early July I bought an Air China's return ticket through Canada Swan
International Travel Ltd. at Vancouver.  As Canada Swan mailed the ticket to
me, they reminded me of having to confirm my return flight at least 72 hours
(three days) ahead of departure.

I did as they advised, FOUR DAYS ahead when I was in Shanghai.  Strange
enough, my seat was already cancelled by the time I confirmed it.  I was
very mad, as everyone could understand it when this thing happened.  I
argued with them, but they had a "good" excuse well prepared for me: my
travel agent made a mistake; they should have told me that the return flight
should be confirmed at least 7 days in stead of 72 hours ahead.  When I
phoned my travel agent after I got back, they told me they just passed what
Air China had instructed and they had no control over this.

Since I was eager to come back and I knew I would miss my connecting flight
(Canadian) at Vancouver if I postponed this one, I went to the Shanghai
International Airport anyway on the pre-scheduled date (August 16).  I had a
hope that the plane would not be full as it was not one month ago or someone
who had a seat would miss the plane as I had the luck four years ago when I
left China the first time.

But all my hopes went into the air when I got to the airport.  I thought I
was the only one who had the bad luck, but I was wrong, I was totally wrong.
After the check-in was finished, I saw at least 20 people there waiting for
seats (I think I know the reason why the Airlines did this to us and
everyone who read the last part of my story will figure it out).  Some of
these people confirmed the flight as I did but was told cancelled; some of
them didn't do that at all, they never dreamed of that outcome and they and
their many relatives were deeply shocked.  Some of them are Canadians (not
Canadian Chinese); some are students like me.

While we were waiting for the normal check-in to be finished, I chatted with
a white man standing beside me: "How do you like your stay in China?"  He
shrugged in a typical American way: "It was OK except this part."  He is
Carl from Vancouver (I forgot his long family name).

As the normal check-in got to the near end, those of us who didn't have
seats started to get very upset.  We frequently asked the girl at the
check-in counter whether she got any seat left.  Her answer was a sure "no."
At this moment, a fourty-or-so man standing behind the girl, probably the
girl's supervisor, got very excited. "Listen!", he said, "those of you who
don't have a seat, please be smart.  If you pay 2,796 FEC (Note: about $600
Canadian), I promise you'll get a ticket of the business class.  Otherwise
... we don't have a single seat for you.  You got it? Those who pay will get
your luggage checked-in immediately."

Some of us who knew the trick got very angry.  They started to argue: "It is
ridiculous.  You've got some seats left, why don't you let us aboard the
plane.  We won't pay more.  It is you that cancelled our flight, you are
responsible for this."  Some said: "If the same thing happened in North
America or Europe, we would be offered a business class seat without any
further charge." The male officer seemed to get quite used to these
arguments: "Don't you ever dare to debate on this!  This is China, not a
foreign country.  We do things our way."

A student-like young man beside me shouted: "I have to go to work tomorrow,
just tell me where to pay the money."  He seemed to have enough cash for
doing that.  I saw no use to join the argument, I followed him shortly.  But
I did not have enough cash.  I already used it all -- like most other
people.  But I happened to have my MasterCard with me.

When I got back to check in, there were still about five people at the
counter arguing with the male officer.  Now he had jumped out from behind
the counter and pointed his fingers at each one's nose: "You want to go?
Then pay the money and we'll let you go.  Don't you dare to say anything."
I thought his manner of pushing us was much worse than that of a peddler
selling things on the street.  What do you say, my fellow Chinese?  The only
thing I could think of was that the people of my motherland just wanted me
to have more "good" impressions about China.

I wouldn't believe what I described above if I hadn't experienced it in
person.  I hope Air China and China Eastern Airlines will eliminate such a
bad practice or they would for sure loose their credits and all their
customers -- there's no doubt about that.

For those who still want to go with Air China, I recommend you to learn from
my lesson and confirm your return flight as long as you get to China and
reconfirm it at least 7 days ahead of departure.  For those to confirm in
Shanghai, please call 327-3016 or 327-7888 (no one told me these numbers
before).  For those in other cities, check your local phone book or ask your
travel agent.  Good luck.
			       ___  ___  ___

>From: Daniel Yang, <S9874194@ucsvax.ucs.umass.edu>
Date: Friday, August 21, 1992

I feel that what INTER-L reported on visa applications in China (CND-US 
8/21/92) is quite different from my experience.

The article mentioned that Visa Officers would look for English proficiency.
In fact, I-20 form does not indicate a student's TOEFL grade (nor GRE, GMAT
or other grades). When I went to the embassy in Beijing, the officer even
did not speak English with me. He spoke perfect Chinese. A lot of friends
who went to the embassy before me, told me that they did not like the
students who cockly speak English. They knew that most Chinese students did
not speak fluent English no matter how high their TOEFL scores were.  When I
went to the embassy, they did not even ask me whether I would go back to
China. I spent only one minute there if not less. I think the qualification,
time, sources of financial factors mentioned in the above article are
important. The most important thing is the confidence and seriousness. If a
student is confident or he is not afraid of being denied, he will most
likely being admitted. The more you fear being denied, the more likely you
will be denied. If you are too serious of coming to the US, you will also
very possibly being denied. If you can show that you just want to take the
chance, you do not necessarily HAVE TO go to the US, you will most likely
get the chance.

I came here four years ago. I was admitted to a Master Degree program in a
small school, much less famous than the school I went in China. I had worked
four years before I came to the States. I guess all of these are factors.
But as I said, if you are not confident, you are sure that you will be shaky
and you would be able to speak a complete sentence in CHINESE confidently,
you'd better not go there. 

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Newsgroups: aus.culture.china