Martin,

Thanks for your post. It is obvious from your words you are an old china hand and know your onions.

And yes this self defeating idiotic behaviour is what shoots the chinese FAO/leaders of schools in the foot, time and time again.

I once worked at a middle school where they had never really had a full time native english speaking FT. They had to keep hiring west africans repeatedly. When I suggested they improve/relocate the FT's apartment, have better communication between the FT's assistant and FT and other small details, it was all ignored. In the end I left, but I'd imagine they are still desperate.

Their own racism always comes back against them alas!