Most schools will not pay anything to new arrivals...DS found a rare bird indeed. This isn't really a realistic thing to expect. Most schools will give you a small cash advance if you really get yourself in the
, but I don't advise this. It starts you off in debt, making it that much harder to get yourself level again, and it's not a great way to begin a relationship with an employer.
Most of us have to survive at least about one month before we see any income.
Also, bear in mind that even if you are moving right into a school apartment, you'll still need to furnish it with some personal things like food, towels, bedclothes, etc. that you will have to go out and buy.
My advice is usually to try and arrive with $500 US in your pocket. You may possibly have a bit left on your first payday, but I don't think you'll be complaining about it.
Emergency funds are harder to call. It depends a lot on you. It's hard to have too much. It's often a function of how much you can save, either back home in advance or once you get here. It's nice to have enough available to make an emergency run home, if you can swing that. This would also be enough to keep you alive for some time, or pay the admission fees to the hospital (where ALL care must be paid in advance...) if you need to go.
Personally, my cash reserves right now wouldn't get me to Suzhou Train Station or buy me a box of Contac. And I suspect a LOT of expats here are in the same boat.