In all of the People's Republic of China, since the country was founded in 1949, there have been less than 10,000 foreigners granted permanent residence. In Flushing, Queens, New York, I had more than 10,000 green card holders living on by block.

Opening, registering, and owning a business for a foreigner in China is a nightmare. Yes, you can be a partner with a Chinese citizen, but at any time your visa renewal can be denied, leaving your 'partner' as sole-owner.

If you are under 30 and coming to China for the experience, it is a wonderful opportunity to develop your skills and return home. If you are over 50 and no longer need to provide for a family and/or establish retirement income, it's an amazing country to enter your second career and 'pre-retirement'. If you are between 30 and 55 and you are successful in your own country and come here to get a piece of the world's largest market, you are not reading this forum.

But if you are young and not wealthy and you think you are going to 'build a future' here, you are mistaken.