The key to a successful teaching experience abroad is going with an open mind and ability to adapt to the local ways. If you aren't getting what you were promised in a contract, you are much more likely to get it by doing your job and politely insisting, while showing deference to your superiors. Get your employers to like you and appreciate having you, and you're more likely to get what you were promised.

Bending over backwards, so the next time the place gets new foreign teachers the boss will think they are entitled to make these demands of everybody.

Demand what you're owed and complain when you don't get it, you're more likely to be ignored.

Tells you more about that Chinese than anything, doesn't it eh?

If you're not willing to accept that you're working in a different business culture, you probably shouldn't have decided to teach in China.

There is nothing "cultural" about treating people like crap. Are YOU going to suggest that the crappy behavior of some expats who have been promoted to manager and who go along with the corrupt behavior of their bosses are a representation of true western culture?

I'm not saying that employees should put up with being mistreated and lied to, quite the contrary, I'm just saying that the employee is more likely to get what he or she is deserved by asking for it the right way. It works for me.

Why don't you show everyone some strategies on what consists of "asking the right way"? It certainly sounds pretty western in terms of the logical structure the way you explained it. How are you supposed to expect an Easterner to understand this? Sometimes the only way that works is to make them lose enough face so they know to lay off of you.