"no foreign person can own stock in a Chinese domestic company not already listed on a stock market."

I'm already weary of startup stock/options - I'd consider it only in addition and not as replacement for portion of my target salary package. I definitely wouldn't waver in negotiations with companies outside N. America and I'd check with a lawyer for anything outside conventional salary. That post shows why one should seek a lawyer experienced in such in relation to expats.

Just being helpful in case you didn’t know: the word is “wary,” not “weary.” Wary means cautious; weary means tired.

I did know and meant both but mostly weary as in tired of options being dangled as better (despite the almost zero value at time of offer and low chances of it appreciating further).

TL;DR; A foreigner is by law not allowed to own stock in unlisted Chinese companies. Some Chinese companies will use foreigners' ignorance of this to pay less but offer worthless stocks instead.

also, taking a Chinese investment into your company can be messy or downright disastrous. do your research

Interesting, got any links with more info?

I imagine it would also be very hard to take your pay home if you decided to leave China?

It is getting a bit more of a pain, but the bottom line is that if you earned your money legally, you take your tax records and paperwork to the bank and transfer to your hearts delight.