"5) How many foreign teachers do you hear of being caught by the PSB? How many do you hear of being fired for working elsewhere? In all my years in China I can count such examples on the fingers of just one hand. Working elsewhere is not policed nor enforced to any significant degree, for it is something of a grey area."

You're right dave it is definitely a grey area and an interesting one at that. A few months ago the local PSB sent the IED at this university an attachment that was sent to the applicable colleges on campus. It was clearly stated therein that the foreign teachers here are not to accept outside employment lest they face punishment that could be as severe as deportation. I find it an interesting aspect of Chinese laws and/or regulations that they can be viewed one way in one province and an entirely other way elsewhere. The leader of the PSB here plays it close to the cuff, though, and apparently doesn't want to deviate from the letter of the law. I can respect him for that At least there's a clear distinction between right and wrong in his mind that makes it easy to figure how he'll deal with certain situations, such as visas for example.

Too bad the police chief doesn't take the same approach to solve the insane traffic problem here. That being the case I could just enjoy the ride instead of trying to deal with the semi - choreographed chaos every time I ride my bike to town.