if you feel uncomfortable with the person you are dealing with, contact the 
chinese embassy and see if he is actually a contractor through them or not..

Generally, this should clear things right up for you.

Mage

On Monday 29 September 2003 10:01 am, Ed Skinner wrote:
>       Anyone doing business in the People's Republic of China?
>       We (well, I, as RyteTyme) have an opportunity to do a two-week
> embedded Linux seminar at a university there (in Wuhan) and I'm trying to
> work through the details of payment, expenses (which they've agreed to
> pay), Chinese taxes on the payment (and expenses?), and transferring those
> (whatever is left) funds to the US.
>       So far, my negotiations have been with their self-proclaimed
> representative here in the US and I'm a little wary this person may be
> overstepping their authority so I am hesitant to commit my time and
> resources. With the PRC, however, I don't know if this is the norm or if my
> uneasiness is warranted.
>       All comments welcomed but especially those who know about dealings
> with the PRC.
>       Thanks to the group for the bandwidth.