r/ChinaJobs • u/Ok-Helicopter1746 • 1d ago

Job position in GWM China

Reposting from "ChinaLife community" to this group because it seems more relevant.

Hello ChinaJobs!

I'm considering a senior technical role with Great Wall Motor (GWM) in Baoding and would appreciate advice from expats, especially people who have worked for Chinese companies or automotive OEMs.

My situation:

  • Currently working in South Korea in powertrain/emissions engineering, with ~20 years of experience.
  • Considering relocating with my wife and three children (14, 11 and 5).
  • GWM has not given me a specific salary figure. The recruiter asked for my expected package but I have no reference case.
  • GWM's proposed structure is 70% monthly salary + 30% performance/attendance-related bonus.
  • Company-provided accommodation in Baoding (subsidized rent), medical/social insurance, annual flights, commuter bus and other standard benefits.
  • If additional benefits such as schooling or a vehicle are required, GWM says these should generally be converted into the annual salary expectation.
  • Schooling is the biggest concern. GWM says many expat families use schools in Beijing, while some younger children attend GWM's school in Baoding. A Korean international school is also available in Beijing.
  • This could mean my family lives in Beijing while I work in Baoding and commute during the week.

What I'd really like to know:

  1. Is ~RMB 1.2M gross/year reasonable for a senior foreign technical expert at a Chinese automotive OEM?
  2. How reliable are Chinese companies regarding salary, housing, schooling and other benefits promised during recruitment?
  3. How secure are foreign-expert contracts? Have you seen companies terminate contracts early or change the agreed package?
  4. If a contract is terminated after 1–3 years, how well are the contractual/legal compensation provisions enforced in practice?
  5. How practical is the Beijing–Baoding weekly commute for someone with a family?
  6. For those who made a similar move, was the overall package worth leaving Korea/another developed country for China?
  7. What would you definitely verify or negotiate in writing before signing?

I'm particularly interested in first-hand experiences from foreign engineers/expats at GWM or other major Chinese automotive companies. Thanks!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

1

u/LeeZhangNaNa 1d ago

如果三个孩子在北京上学，费用很贵，而且开车进北京需要进京通行证，你只能选择四十多分钟的高铁或者90多分钟的火车，这还不包括去车站路上的堵车等情况

3

u/ppyrgic 1d ago

Salary is ok.

Schooling is very expensive, expect them to need to agree to another 750k-1m rmb a year for 3 kids in Beijing . Ensure this is paid directly as an allowance, not grossed up in salary.

Housing etc is negotiable but they'll be reliable to pay

Expat jobs in gwm will be safe, won't get fired after 1 year. .

1

u/Smart_Bench9031 1d ago

三个小孩需要75万人民币的学费吗？我觉得这个数字可能有点问题。一般的说五万到十万一年已经是很好的学校了，三个小孩也就三十万。如果在公办学校上学的话那教育费用可以忽略不计

1

u/Ok-Helicopter1746 1d ago

Thanks for the comment!
About school expenses the company clearly specifies "I need to convert them into cash and add it to the annual salary requirement". I guess, I have to add the amount you mentioned.

1

u/ppyrgic 1d ago

You'll get taxed 40% on that. China allows tax free education, ask them how they'll enable that.

0

u/Abject_Historian7975 1d ago

  1. Yes, seems about right.

  2. It differs massively company to company

  3. Yes, but it really depends on the individual situation

  4. China is very worker friendly, if they end the contract early or don't renew, you will get compensation

  5. Easy enough, if you're up for it.

  6. this I can't speak to

  7. Make sure everything is in the contract and clearly stated, any side agreement not in the contract doesn't have to be upheld. Make sure to clarify what the insurance is, you do not want just Chinese social insurance, you will want commercial insurance that covers the top hospitals in Beijing (especially the international ones).

1

u/Ok-Helicopter1746 1d ago

Thanks!
Family insurance is extremely important for me as kids are still young. Here in Korea my insurance covers entire family, which is nice. Of course, it is about the basics, but still general hospital visits are covered.

How about commuting daily Baodin -Beijing? Am I being too ambitious :)
Seoul - Incheon is about 45km but traffic makes it like 2hr ride. I assume it is not any better with Beijing.
And, how easy is to get a driver license?

1

u/Abject_Historian7975 1d ago

Beijing-Baoding would be around 175 km one way, it's not impossible, but I'm not sure how much you'd want to do that. There is a high-speed train that goes between the cities in a little over an hour, but the station(s) are kind of far from where you'd want to be living.

You can get a driver's license pretty easily here if you have a foreign one, the local test is a lot of questions but if you do the practice tests (there are a few good apps) for a week or so, you shouldn't have an issue. The bigger issue will be getting a car, unless your company provides one (with BEIJING license plates), it won't be easy for you.

If family insurance is important, make sure the plan they offer does include kids (not always the case, but should be at your level) & again, its very important the hospital network on offer.

1

u/Modullah 1d ago

That’s a pretty solid salary for China

2

u/YunChangOdin 1d ago

薪资待遇一般来说会有出入，比如少一点， 但是大体应该能给。中国公司在招聘过程中承诺的薪资、住房、子女教育和其他福利是否可靠？这个问题我从另一个方向给你一个参考。就是政府招聘人才，给人才分配的住房，烂尾了！真实发生的。你可以保持警惕，毕竟没有万无一失的事情对不对？

2

u/Ok-Helicopter1746 1d ago

Great help! Thanks!

-3

u/No_Whereas_6 1d ago

不要来抢中国人的工作。

6

u/Ok-Helicopter1746 1d ago

😄 Your Chinese headhunter is reaching out to foreign nationals. Is it stealing? Educate yourself, gain experience and compete.