Narrative:

Pushback from beijing became very confusing due to lack of communication with the station; and to some extent phraseology issues with the chinese ATC controller. It began with an inoperative PA system that no one knew about prior to doors being closed. Unable to contact operations due inadequate ramp radio. Attempted to contact dispatch/maintenance on satcom; but had to hang up due to lousy connection and unable to understand maintenance due to connection. We (pilots) were able to fix the problem through acceptable troubleshooting of the system. Some weather moved into the area; and this is when the confusion really occurred. The chinese controller's phraseology of 'long delay pushback'; to the tug operator telling us that operations stated; 'we were cleared to push;' at which point we are unable to contact operations due to their radio. We were unable to verify our wheels up time; if it had been updated; what was the status of our pushback clearance; or any other information that operations might have for us. We did have the tug operator make several calls to operations for us and relay information; but things get lost/missed in translation; especially when different language accents are involve. While this is going on there is a csr in first class from beijing; texting with operations; and stating we were released and cleared to push. Something is [rotten] in denmark when the passenger knows more about the operational end than the pilots do sitting at the gate with doors closed and armed.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B777 Captain parked on the ZBAA ramp described a communication's situation in which the crew was unable to contact the Company; Operations; or ATC but a passenger was texting Operations and determined they were released to taxi.

Narrative: Pushback from Beijing became very confusing due to lack of communication with the station; and to some extent phraseology issues with the Chinese ATC Controller. It began with an inoperative PA system that no one knew about prior to doors being closed. Unable to contact Operations due inadequate ramp radio. Attempted to contact Dispatch/Maintenance on SATCOM; but had to hang up due to lousy connection and unable to understand Maintenance due to connection. We (pilots) were able to fix the problem through acceptable troubleshooting of the system. Some weather moved into the area; and this is when the confusion really occurred. The Chinese Controller's phraseology of 'long delay pushback'; to the tug operator telling us that Operations stated; 'We were cleared to push;' at which point we are unable to contact Operations due to their radio. We were unable to verify our wheels up time; if it had been updated; what was the status of our pushback clearance; or any other information that Operations might have for us. We did have the tug operator make several calls to Operations for us and relay information; but things get lost/missed in translation; especially when different language accents are involve. While this is going on there is a CSR in first class from Beijing; texting with operations; and stating we were released and cleared to push. Something is [rotten] in Denmark when the passenger knows more about the operational end than the pilots do sitting at the gate with doors closed and armed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.