so you are asking us is it ok to cheat?

Well, they might not know and let him in, but what will he do once he is accepted and starts his classes? Ask you to write all his homework assignments for him?

Don't do it.

He can write the essay in Chinese and you can pay a translator to translate it, then he should submit both the original and the translation (signed by the professional translator). This is what I would do. BTW If he can't write a decent essay in any language, he doesn't deserve to be in college.

On a submitted essay that might be a bit tricky.  My advice would be to stick to minor changes without rewriting sections.  But *all* students here, or at least a lot, get the English in their reference letters polished when applying to university.  Dissertations tend to get a thorough treatment too, sometimes hiring people to do it.

EDIT: I am of course assuming it's not something you can politely back out of

Don't sign it then.

Yeah, they will, but I don't think will do anything about it. I'll give you a clue if you do it. Do it but don't make all the corrections. Leave some uncorrected so they can't tell the difference. He'll get points deducted but not as much as he would have before you helped out. So basically if you want him to still get an A and they deduct one point for grammar or so just leave 4-5 uncorrected on purpose and fix the rest. Still get the A!

everyone has papers corrected for grammar and spelling, but i would scan the paper and check to make sure it is not plagiarized, thats got a lot of bad repercussions.

I agree, plagiarism is a lot more serious than a few grammar or vocabulary issues. This is one thing many students traveling abroad don’t take seriously. 

Has your nephew reached the minimum standard of English required to get into this university? (TOEFL or IELTS)

Why don't you really "help" him to write it by discussing the issues with him and prompting him to fix his own mistakes?

Bloody hell, that just about sums up this place doesn't it?

Stop cheating!!!!!!!!

The fact that you even bothered to ask this question is disturbing in itself.

So silva is your nephew ?

Yes. Cheating is good. Everybody in China cheats. It is why China is so great.

big part of why I ask this question ....  yes he asked and yes the family seems to "expect' me to help .........  many questions arise from this....  why does he have the "test" sheet with him on his holiday into mainland China ..........he has 4 or 5 writings to do in English.. little notes on what to submit .....  This is new to me, but from what I have seen so far, I could just do it for him, or for anybody .....  and here I thought that there may be some rhyme or reason to Chinese education system.........  my ignorance and naivety is exposed. So much for honesty, integrity and good old hard work ...  nephew is playing basketball with his middle school chums today and not too terribly interested in his parents desire for him to attend a University in Hong Kong,,,,, he'd rather play games and frolic in hometown for the rest of his life with minimum wage and a happy outlook ........  instead of stressing over money and "getting ahead"... I intend to "fix" one of his writings.... save my face ....  the rest, he is on his own.

maybe he is already a "big shot" here ...he spent the last 3 years in high school in Hong Kong and has done reasonably well ...........good enough to be "above" the mainland folks maybe???