As a result people leave their wife and kids at home, hence the desire for commuting contracts, but communiting is a whole other ball game and many would prefer to have their families with them which is ultimately much much easier in the Gulf than it is in China
I've been on a commuting contract for the past 8 years and I'm looking at staying with this arrangement for the long haul..., it has turned out to be pretty easy actually, guaranteed business class commute and 14 days in a row (12-13 at home) get to keep the miles and use them on vacations etc...! Not as bad as it may sound.