UK- Communications Guide Communications Guide

This guide will take you through options for communication during your trip to China.

Including: 1. Using a Chinese Sim Card 2. VPN Use (Virtual Private Network) 3. Using WeChat – primary communication channel

Please note: TEP do not work with or have any affiliation with the recommended companies or applications and we cannot be held responsible for any use of these technology. PURCHASING A CHINESE SIM CARD Sim Card It is not recommended to send texts or make calls using your UK sim cars whilst in China as the fees can be very high. Texts may also take a long time to be delivered.

Therefore, we can suggest three options for communication: • Purchase a prepaid Sim Card • Purchase a Sim Card in China • Use Internet roaming

If you are interested in purchasing a prepaid sim card in the UK you can find them on sites such as: Amazon, TravelSim and GiffGaff. Prices range from around £15 upwards.

If you intend to buy a sim card whilst in China, it is advised that you can purchase one from either China Mobile or China Unicom. Sim cards from other phone companies such as China Telecom are not compatible with a foreign phone. You can buy a Chinese sim card in most airports. Chinese sim cards are fairly cheap but you will need to show your passport on purchase. PURCHASING A VPN VPN Whilst travelling in mainland China it is greatly advised to purchase a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN will allow you to bypass China’s online firewall.

Without a VPN you will NOT be able to access: • Google or any Google associated product • Yahoo • • WhatsApp • Twitter • YouTube • Instagram •

Without a VPN you MIGHT be able to access: • LinkedIn • FaceTime • iMessage • Bing • Yahoo Mail & Hotmail VPN

• Although has been removed from Chinese app stores, it is still working and can be used on the mainland (although may not be very reliable) Skype credit would need to be added to make phone calls.

• You will also be unable to access most streaming services, foreign news media or online work tools.

• WhatsApp may be accessible depending on the area that you are in for the WiFi access and strength etc.

Free VS Premium

• We recommend to purchase a VPN rather than download a free version. Reliable premium VPN’s include ExpressVPN and NordVPN. A free VPN we recommend is Astrill, for more setup information visit: https://wiki.astrill.com/Astrill_Setup_Manual USING WECHAT IN CHINA Using WeChat in China

• The lead teacher will have a WeChat account set up for them. (WeChat is the primary website in China)

• After their account is set up, a group chat will be created that will include our staff both in the UK and China.

• Our Chinese staff will be there accompanying you as guides.

• When the travel party arrives in China, the other teachers can be verified by either the guide of the school so that they are able to join the WeChat group. REGISTERING A WECHAT ACCOUNT ‘Sign up with mobile’ ‘Complete security ‘Register an ‘Verify the account check’ account’ and set up profile’ ADDING FRIENDS ‘Open WeChat and ‘Search for ‘Sync mobile touch + contact’ number’ contacts’ USING WECHAT ‘Send a photo or ‘Make a voice or ‘Touch new chat’ ‘Select contact’ video’ video call’

WeChat User

Hey ADDITIONAL HELP How to create a group chat https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Group-Chat-on-WeChat Make a video call https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Video-Call-on-WeChat

Send files on WeChat https://www.wikihow.com/Send-Files-on-WeChat-on-PC-or- Mac

Mute WeChat Group on a PC or Mac https://www.wikihow.com/Mute-a-WeChat-Group-on- a-PC-or-Mac

More How To Guides https://www.wikihow.com/Category%3AWeChat Follow Us On Social Media

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