How Did This Singaporean Survive on $5,000 a Year in China?

Why did this Singaporean move to China for 16 years? What’s it like to leave everything behind and start over in a foreign land? Why Shanghainese men are the best husbands?

In this episode of Yana TV, I sit down with CJ Ng, a Singaporean who spent 16 transformative years living and working in China. From navigating cultural differences to embracing the challenges of being a "foreigner" in a place that felt oddly familiar, CJ shares candid stories of adaptation, growth, and hilarious misunderstandings.

Now a certified coach helping B2B sales teams succeed, CJ reflects on how those years shaped his career and personal life. Tune in for insights into his journey, his unique perspective on sales, and why he considers his transformation into a “Shanghainese husband” complete. Don’t miss this engaging and relatable conversation!

In This Episode:
(00:00) Why did a Singaporean move to China for 16 years?
(01:30) When language gets lost in translation—CJ’s funny Mandarin mishap!
(03:00) No heating, no furniture, and no coffee: CJ’s shocking start in Shanghai.
(05:00) Surviving on $5,000 a year—how did CJ manage?
(06:30) Learning Shanghainese: hilarious misinterpretations and unexpected assumptions.
(07:30) Facing danger: CJ’s nerve-wracking encounter with thieves in China.
(10:00) Why Shanghainese men are considered the perfect husbands.
(13:00) Are Chinese people really all about money? CJ breaks down the stereotype.
(15:30) The #1 tip for anyone who wants to sell better (it’s not what you think).

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Hi People!! I'm Yana. I have been interviewing thought leaders and changemakers since 2015. This channel brings to you the most interesting, conscious and impactful people of Asia. I have heart-to-heart conversations with them and ask deep and direct questions about their life, career, relationships and way of living. Enjoy!

I am also a motivational speaker, impact coach, wellness retreats facilitator, spiritual teacher, co-author of three books, award-winning poetess, and truth illuminator who inspires, empowers, educates globally.

In addition to anchoring Yana TV, I am hosting Timeless Teachings Podcast, ranked as a top podcast in Singapore.


~ YanaTV is a Singapore grown independent talk show that amplifies the voices of impactful, influential and conscious people of Asia.

#SingaporeanAbroad #LifeInChina #ShanghaiLife #B2BSales #SalesTips #LivingOverseas #ExpatJourney #MandarinMisadventures #CrossCulturalExperiences #CulturalAdaptation #ShanghaineseHusband #expatsinchina #CareerTransformation #LifeLessons #CJNG #YanaTV

[angeljuliedr]

❤️👍Cheering for and supporting CJ my fellow Singaporean friend.👏👏👏

Many province's and cities in China are really suitable for me, and Shanghai is one of the best. 👍🥰💖👏

[Bigsmallcountry]

I can resonate with him after 13 years in Shanghai, and I am still here.

[rizalazis]

Good stuff Yana. And credits to CJ. An amazing guy, selfless, and always willing to help. So much positivity from him - always.

[yanatvsg]

That is such a funny conversations. 😆 I like how CJ shares openly about his time in China… with so much humour! I learned a lot.))

[kennySg]

Our Chinese accents are similar to people from southern China. If he visit his ancestry home, he would probably find things are also translated from dialects. I happened to visit my parents home town, they don't speak beautiful chinese also. Most still speak the dialect especially in rural area. Of course, when younger gen attended national school they acquired learn 普通话。 Shanghai has its own culture and it is different from other cities. We shouldn't view china as a homogeneous people, meaning they are speak and behave in the same way!

[arleenvillaeba]

CJ's story is a fun and interesting look at adapting to a new culture, the challenges he faced, and how it changed him. It's a great watch if you're interested in China or unique life experiences.

[therover]

I went to work in Shanghai for 12 years from 2002. Yeah, coffee scarcity. I had to bring 3 in 1 packs with me every where I go and ask for hot water.

[yewhocktan]

Very interesting video. I would like to hear more of such interview especially with individual who now works from Singapore but with the need to travel abroad to China, or Europe.
One disagreement --- looking at myself, a retired Singaporean, working in Singapore with engineering experiences, self upgrading through the British tradesmen certification & professional channels, I like to improve processes to the irritation of my wife.

[Fr.VeniceLAI]

The question is more importantly how do some 600 million Chinese survived with monthly wages below just USD140 per month of equivalent to USD1, 680 annually, much, much lower than USD5, 000 a year in this discourse ??

[limrosemary]

Starbucks was oredi in Shanghai in 2000... theres coffee in the big hotels served in a sophisticated way

[clementihammock]

Always has this notion that perhaps, those Singaporeans stationed in China, like Ping An Jessica Tan, TikTok CEO, Espressif CEO Teo, could come together to compile their stories into a book. More about insight of China Corporate culture, what they have seen, what many Sg locals don't. There was a good book by Paul Theroux, Riding the Iron Rooster.

[PP-vfkx]

🤔 be one of their true blue citizen to truly understand!

[langban]

Putting the past in the past 2024 onwards, china is a more prosperous country than Singapore it's nonsense to talk about what has happened in the past

[marylaistirland]

I agree with him totally because I went to Hangzhou in 1984 so that’s REALLY different from HongKong

[kylealmero]

Absolutely loved CJ’s take on sales! Forget the old 'sell me this pen' approach—it's all about understanding needs and creating real connections. 🫰