Foreigners cannot teach in Shenzhen unless they have a bachelor's degree plus a minimum of two years' teaching experience, according to a local regulation passed by the Shenzhen Municipal Personnel Bureau late last week.

"Foreigners teaching languages in Shenzhen should hold a bachelor's degree and at least two years' related work experience," the new rule says.

All language teachers from overseas belong to the category of "foreign experts," one of the two types of foreign workers in China. Compared with the other type -- ordinary foreign workers -- "foreign experts" are required to be highly skilled or fill posts that locals cannot, according to the bureau.

The provincial government recently transferred the power to process foreign expert certificates to municipal governments, although municipal governments still have to report their results.

Editor: Donald