During 5 legal employments over 10 years, I have only had an FEC in my possession for a few
months, an event which got the FAO assistant who gave it to me in trouble.

I have always had photos of it. As I recall, all employers obtained it without my presence
during the day that they obtained it.

If the school is being investigated for hiring practices, they probably need it in their
possession to verify the legitimacy of their payroll. Individual teachers questioned by
the police need the residence permit in their passport.

Even a Chinese passport is the possession of the state, so I expect that this document has
the same status.

According to what I have been told, schools now need to pay RMB1000 deposit on all FEC's. That would explain their need to hold the original. However, why should I be denied a copy? Even the local FEB said I should hold the original, despite the school's 'policy'.

I don't WANT the original, I just want a copy.