Can you work in China without speaking Chinese?

The real answer is a bit more nuanced, but the simple answer is: yes, you can undoubtedly work in China without speaking Chinese. Well, the fact is, most jobs for expats in China do not require you to speak Chinese.

Can you go to Hong Kong without speaking Chinese?

You don’t need Cantonese or Mandarin to live and work in Hong Kong in most cases. However, if you want to know the place you call home and interact with the people that share it with you, then you should learn Cantonese, at the very least. Perhaps focus on Mandarin if you go to the Mainland for business.

Are overseas Chinese talent from Hong Kong or Taiwan easier to adapt?

While Overseas Chinese talent from Hong Kong or Taiwan may have an easier time adapting to life and work in the Mainland than those Overseas Chinese born and raised in Western countries, problems can still occur.

Can a non-Chinese speaker work in China?

On the flip side, there are also situations where non-Chinese speakers without China experience are the preferred job candidates, rendering Chinese skills useless in an entirely different way. At a company I once worked for, I witnessed such a hire, who went on to struggle with working in China.

Is learning English a waste of time in China?

The very same conversation can be had about foreigners learning Chinese. Unfortunately, the answers aren’t the same. A debate over the necessity of English language skills has dominated the Chinese internet these last few days, sparked by a patriotic internet personality who proclaimed English to be a “trash skill” and a waste of time.

Do overseas Chinese share a common link through ancient Chinese culture?

However, while Overseas Chinese all over the world may share a common link through ancient Chinese culture, they are nevertheless divided by the differences of their respective countries and societies, which have developed independently from that of Mainland China.