...in hating the word 'expat'?

[vivasevilla]

Why do British people (not all) insist on calling themselves 'expats' when they choose to go and live abroad? They are, surely, immigrants, why not call themselves so? (is it possibly because they move abroad and then spend all their time in bars drinking 'cheap' gin and tonics, reading the Daily Mail and whinging about 'immigrants' and 'gangs of feral youth' in their own country while not bothering to learn the language of the country they have chosen to move to?)

well i think in china it can be particularly dificult to integrate...

i am also not sure about whether the children of foreigners would in fact be eligible for PRC citizenship.

EdgarAllen, they're not as far as I know- they'd just have a right to residency tied to that of their parents. In Hong Kong you can become a "permanent resident" when you've lived here 7 years, which means you have the right to live here as long as you want or can leave and come back without needing sponsorship. However, there isnt a similar system in China.

PP- My first child will be born in HK (we are both British). Where she/he will think of as home is debateable but it's not something that particularly concerns me- I think the benefits of experiencing different cultures is such a great opportunity and gives them a global persepctive from the start. DH and I both have a "wherever I lay my hat" approach to "home" so hopefully Junior will be as flexible.