Foreign Experts Certificate- can you travel on it around china?

[Dangermouse]

Silly question ( guess i sould have asked before ) as my passport is away getting the residence permit in it, all i have is the Foreign Experts Certificate, so can i travel using this and check into a hotel? would they accept it or would i have to wait for the passport to be returned? MY school says its fine, but im not so sure

[jontsai]

I'm afraid only the passport is accepted by the hotel cuz I once saw a foreigner refused by the hotel...

[Aussie Mike]

Your Foriegn Expert Certificate is your Chinese ID card.

Many schools will try to keep your FEC but don't let them as this can be used the same as a Chinese ID card.

You should not need your passport if you show your FEC.

But then again, we are in China.

[Hills]

Yeah its clearly stated on the last page.It serves as an Identification Card while in China.But again as Mike said,the desk/receptionist barely knows as little as per managers' instructions.
One time I went to collect some cash paid in through Western Union transfer.Now the bank wouldnt pay me simply cos of a spelling mistake of my name by the sender.But little did they know,that its clearly spell out IN the western union regulations..If the amount is less than 1000dollars,the reciever need not present an ID given that he has the code number and questions.

You can imagine how embarrasSed the managers face was when I called in the cops.So in anycase,just call in the cops on the hotel.Your expert certificate is an ID

[Dangermouse]

Lots of great feed back although a little confusing.
it is an ID but may or may not be accepted at a hotel.
The passport is better to have.

so reading your great advice, i should be able to travel by train ( going to buengbu) and stay at a hotel. All this is possible by using the Certificate.
Oh well fingers crossed i'll give it a go.
cheers guys

[TY]

All, I'm sure the certificaticate can be accepted in hotels around Shanghai though not sure of other cities. Note that there's a fine of 500 RMB for foreigners moving around without a passport.

[Ra(c)hel]

Just had my FEC in my hands to apply new resident permit. I had in my mind it is value as n ID. But I checked it, and it clearly says under point 2 or 3 that it doesn't replace the foreigners ID (passport).

Anybody can recheck this in his booklet?

What I experienced is, that there is now CLEAR regulation (TIC? ), but a copy of your passport is still better than nothing!

[Aussie Mike]

When I've handed my FEC to hotel staff, it has gained some looks but I point out the Chinese page which states the message and they have accepted it. Of course they would prefer the passport as that is what they are used to.  It ought to work in BengBu. If you have a problem then get a Chinese person to book with their ID.

[Dangermouse]

got my passport back now, so all is good. but the infomation is useful  cheers guys

[Aussie Mike]

When you travel next, try just using your FEC.  See if it works and post the result for future reference. 

[Dangermouse]

my, your full of good idea's Mike!   keep it up and people will think you know what ya doing   hehe.
Will give it a go and let you all know what happends. good info for the others that come