Generally, it is always easy to bash Chinese authorities for inefficiency and mess.
Here in Changshu, however, I had the most pleasant experience of a visa renewal, ever. For the record, this is my 24th consecutive year abroad.
On transfering my workpermit from Shanghai to Changshu with simultaneous visa renewal I expected a major kafa-eske nightmare, based on experience with 'relevant organs' in Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai.
Not so in Changshu. Everything was handled orderly, incredibly quickly and it even came even with a big surprise. The public security department office is open concept, same as adjacent the commercial office,in fact the concept is so open, you can even look into the computer screens.
Transfer of workpermit plus renewal of visa were handled within a week. When I looked at my visa: valid 3 years. I have never ever had a visa that exceeded one year validity.
Another reason why Changshu absolutely rocks!
On separate note, attention should be raised on this issue:
Crackdown on illegal aliens. Since we are at it, people who behave like this are a major embarrassment to all of us:
Russian violinist
