ASTF, I will be nice to you in this post. I feel that you may think I have nothing but contempt for anyone who works in China, but it is quite the contrary. I have stated in the past that retired teachers who receive benefits who would like to bring real education to China can give it a try. Now I am not so sure China deserves any good teachers at all due to the crappy management of business as well as the corruption. If I met you in real life and thought of you as a good person I would not think you should stay in China forever, you would be too good for that.

If you really are in your fifties, you are entitled to government benefits and pensions in whatever country you came from. In my home country that would be the USA I see illegal immigrants and legal ones who have never contributed a penny to the economy reap the benefits of honest, hard working folks who pay their taxes and just want good pensions for retirement. I assume even if you have been in China for a while you probably haven't exceeded 10 years there. Since you have been paying taxes for 20+ years in your home country of Britain why not try and apply for government aid as you would deserve every penny given to you? In fact, I will go out on a limb and even say you would be happier. It's not like China made you feel so full of life that you don't need to vent your frustrations at people whom you don't know personally for presumed marginalization of your personal experiences on anonymous forums.

I have heard of numerous cases where people who went to the USA on a tourist visa stayed there permanently illegally, then promptly participated in pro-democratic demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy so they could go on record to immigration and say they are applying for political amnesty, of which they collect generous pensions and receive decent medical benefits as well. These folks have no problem getting food stamps and working illegal side jobs in Chinatown or at the East Asian supermarkets scattererd around the tri-state area surrounding New York City.

You are being exploited from working in China, especially if it's at any place with "private" attached to the name. There is no shame in going back home and getting free handouts. You will be back in your element with people who have things in common with you. I have heard of facts about women from Middle Eastern countries bringing their kids to Britain and immediately getting a free apartment as well as aid that exceeds 1,000 pounds per month. If you contributed to the British economy all those years, then you have every right to go back and take what belongs to you.