Asia Times Online :: China Culture Guide

Through
the Wall

A cross-cultural guide to doing business in China

By David M Lenard (Jun '06)

Part 1: General themes

Three words to remember: li, mianzi, guanxi
Taoism
Collectivism
Bureaucracy
Information is power
No 'no', and no confrontation
Appearances over reality
The comparmentalized society
Feng shui
Which China?

Part 2: Business-specific issues

Negotiating: just a little patience
We're big, we know it, we really like to show it ...
Over to you, Mr Wang
Intellectual-property wrongs
Forms of foreign ventures
The mei you mentality
Quality, schmality
The buck stops ... where?
Clear contracts now, or pay later
Normal profits, normal risks
One country, many markets
Show me the money
Marketing
Notes for exporters
Communications issues
The 'Hotel California' syndrome

Part 3: Practicalities

Dining
Health
Housing
Introductions
Languages
Lodging
Money matters
Telecommunications
Transport
Visa information
Miscellaneous topics
Further reading

See also

China Business

China
Travel

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