The new requirements in China, regarding document verification, is certainly one that is causing a huge stir. There appears to be no standardisation with respect to each and every province, and even less when it comes to the country of degree origin.

There is an 'official' website that outlines the procedure - this one applies to Queensland Australia - http://brisbane.china-consulate.org/eng/jbwzlm/lsfw/lsgzrz/t229932.htm#1

One example of a FT from Canada = He contacted a document agent who took his original degree to the Canadian government then to the Chinese embassy. All done in 48 hours. When asked what they would do (prior to handing over his docs), he was simply told, 'We cannot guarantee anything, only that when we've finished, your degree will be legal in China'

In Australia one is told to go to a notary public (JP or Lawyer), to have it verified, then to the Dept of Foreign Trade, then to the Chinese Embassy. Incidentally, when the Canadian guy actually called the Chinese embassy in Ottawa, he was greeted with confusion and ignorance, since the person he was speaking to had no idea what he was asking about.

I know of training centres in China where the management just say 'Don't worry, we'll forge one for you', and school FAO's that don't care if you have a degree or not, just as long as you are TESOL/TEFL/TESL qualified.

As far as help goes, for what it's worth, my advice would be NOT to ask your FAO or even your local PSB for guidance, since the two are likely to conflict in their opinions/requirements. If possible, take the time to go to your local FEB and ask them directly.

From what I've already seen and heard, (and not all of it is posted here....yet....), the system is already in such a state of disarray that it's even possible to get a fake degree verified as being genuine.

It appears to be nothing more than a money-making exercise that the government have pathetically tried to disguise as an 'ESL FT clean-up operation'.