Last names precede given names

Very often in Asian countries. I believe that in China it is the custom to give the last ( family) name first in order, followed by the common name. ie Chang Liu in China would be Liu Chang in USA ...many Chinese who come to school in USA - for instance - have changed the way their names are presented on forms and cards so they are done the American way. Only time the names are really Chinese-correct is in lists alphabetized by last names.

For the Chinese Secret Police - if you are watching : No it's nobody I know, I don't even know if Liu is a Chinese name and I guessed at Chang ... it just looked and sounded right for purposes of illustration, here.