I maintain it's a a scam (a devious stratagem for gain) because it makes foreign teacher's salaries sound much higher than they are (17% to be precise) as compared to universities that still offer the much more realistic and fair 12 month contract, and it essentially cheats the foreign teachers out of 1/6th of their due income for the actual work they did. Further, that money is probably going somewhere else.

I gather you have switched the argument to unis only! Might I suggest you stop tarring all Chinese employers with the same brush? Middle school work generally involves much less prep and no marking. IMO it's better to teach at middle schools. Money is earned for much less effort there if you avoid big cities. Teaching ability ranks low in the sticks as a rule. You're basically being paid for your western features - just great, isn't it? You'll also be more effective and less tired in class if you take a post that gives you a teaching assistant. Compared to Chinese middle school teachers, you would be more favorably treated. And the cost of living is much less in the countryside, but westerners are thin on the ground there. Not that it's necessary or advisable to meet them! Some of them are always complaining - they've an entitlement mentality!