94 - It is a great place to meet the American conspiracy theorists who want to stick it to da man. But who have failed to get way from the Americans who love to defend the govt and the big corporations.

Subjective

Most Chinese employers operate a different set of standards to what we like. But tough TIC.

Language schools are private enterprise. They won't give you 10c for a new pen, and then brag about their new Mercedes. Every penny spent is their penny, you are stealing from them if you waste money.
They will forget to pay your overtime and find any excuse not to pay you.
The goal posts are constantly shifting.
The contract is there to tie you down, but it does not apply to them. Most contracts are about the employees obligations only.

K12 and public schools. They don't have much money to start with. But they won't bilk you. Anyway, they don't see it as their money.

The goal posts don't move.
The contracts are written by a government department and are met by both sides.

cynical! me?

Yep! Lots of this sort of action is down to local flavor. Every city/Prov seems to have its own policy priorities.

Would you employ this man?

Why not buy a car in China? Are there restrictions on Chinese cars in Laos, etc.??

There is a compromise vehicle, which is based on the Nissan Paladin chassis. It is a cross between a pickup and an SUV and a minivan. I saw one parked up in Kunming Metro once.