Stephen,

What you describe, based upon my experiences with varying Chinese headmasters/FAO's in the public sector in China is as follows. He is just trying to make the white man (presuming you are white, if not, I apologize!) jump through hoops and run through his circles. If you stand up to him, and tell him curtly you will NOT be returning and you do NOT appreciate receiving this information while you are at home on holiday attending to personal affairs, you may well see a turnaround in his behaviour.This kind of bullying tactic is a hangover from the mao era, where employees were part of the "dan wei", but it's China 2015, not China 1955, and you are not even Chinese anyway!!

State your terms, and say you will only return on these terms. If not, tell him to sling his hook, those threats about getting you banned from china are just bluster and him posturing. If you said you will contact the US embassy in Beijing, and SAFEA, and have the school inspected, you just watch how his attitude towards you changes. Chinese fear authority, and agencies/governmental bodies snooping around, uncovering dirty linen....stand your ground, or tell him to piss off and leave for greener pastures anew. Let us know how it goes.

SMGS