Hi,extc, looks like you drew the short straw. Yep, it's very much a lucky bag when it comes to choosing where to teach here in China. You can end up anywhere between reasonably happy and absolutely distraught, sometimes depending on your luck,or your level of greed, ie enterring the private sector.

Re SAFEA, did you get your Z visa on the basis of the Chinese regs, or did Hunan PSB shortcircuit the system - if so, that'd be the provincial education bureau's dirty doings! Not blaming you, mind you, but SAFEA could be a different kettle of fish entirely! Word on the street has it that in Hunan you can get a Z visa without a degree, but you may need the HK run after comin over on an L.

Sorry, I'm degressing,the word on the net is not encouraging, nothing + ve re SAFEA unless you've a WATERTIGHT case - in a word, it's a talking shop that will do its best to favor the Chinese side. And they'll take their time to reach a decision, maybe hoping you'll drop your complaints in that time slot. In said time, you'll be in limbo! Contracts say, you must mediate your differences with your employer, and basically SAFEA is a last resort.

Justice is unobtainable in some places. But don't give up if it's a mission with you to try to obtain it!