Beijing & China Legislation

Business Relationships

Business in China is viewed as relationship based, where as business in Western countries is viewed as transaction based
This being the case, it is often useful to view business ventures as relationships first, and as a venture second
With a good network of contacts in China , almost anything can be accomplished-- Guanxi is how things get done.
Face is important in any culture, but extremely so in China
Losing face, saving face and giving face is very important and should be taken into consideration at all times. Loosing your temper, confronting someone, putting someone on the spot, arrogant behavior, or failing to accord proper respect can cause a loss of face

To understand how business decisions are made, sometimes knowing family relationships is more important than knowing the organizational structure of the company
Interaction between business partners is more important than written documents
Expect to make frequent trips to China . Showing up once a year does not show commitment to the relationship.
Non-business activities show that the focus is on the relationship and not simply on a piece of paper
Non-business activities show that the focus is on the relationship and not simply on a piece of paper
Learn to think in terms of 'both' or 'and' rather than 'either/or'
Business discussions are best left until a certain amount of familiarity has been established with your counterpart.
Take the time to slow down and try to understand the Chinese way of doing things.
Hard-driving, get-right-to-the-point tactics usually backfire
'No problem' does not necessarily mean an easy road
Learn that sometimes 'yes' means 'no', or 'I'm listening'

Business cards are presented with both hands making sure that the card faces the recipient so that he or she can read it
Make a show of carefully examining business cards.
Present the Chinese side face up if you have such cards
Never merely place the card in your pocket. Place it in front of you on the table if you are seated.
Be sure to have a good stock on hand when you travel.
Titles are usually not given verbally. People are expected to get this information from the name card.

Enunciate and pronounce words clearly
Accents and speech patterns affect clarity, even for native speakers (remember that your audience may have learned British English, rather than American English, and that their instructor was most likely not a native speaker)
Use visual aids if you are making a presentation
Speak slowly
Avoid jokes, slang and colloquialisms

Although it may seem straight forward, giving gifts is an art form
Do not expect that a gift will be opened immediately; however, sometimes that may not be the case
Do not expect that the gift will be accepted right away. You may have to offer it a few times before it is accepted
Even if your company color is green, or you travel to China over St. Patrick's Day and want to introduce people to the holiday, never give a Chinese gentleman a green hat. It is associated with adultery.
Because the number four in Chinese is a homonym for the word 'death' avoid giving things to people in groups of four.
Red is a color of good fortune. But never give someone something written in red ink as it implies the end of a relationship.
Avoid white as it is associated with funerals
Do not give clocks. Clocks are associated with death.
Do not give knives, scissors, letter openers, etc. It implies the severing of a relationship

Avoid dropping chopsticks as it is considered bad luck.
Use the serving chopsticks or turn your chopsticks around when use them to server others
Never place your chopsticks in a bowl of rice as pictured above.
If you are asked to dinner, it will be expected that you reciprocate. Be sure not to outdo your host.