However, until recently, since social insurance was managed at a regional level, this meant vast inconsistencies existed among different cities. For instance, in Shanghai for the past decade, it was not compulsory for expat staff working for companies registered in the city to participate in the Chinese social insurance scheme, according to the Shanghai local policy Notice on Several Issues Concerning the Participation of Foreign Nationals Working in Shanghai, Persons with Overseas Permanent (long-term) Residence and Residents of Hong Kong and Macao, Taiwan in Social Insurance for Urban Workers (2009 Notice), which was issued on 10 October 2009 by the Shanghai Human Resource and Social Security Bureau.