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Cultural elements of The Great Wall

The Great Wall, a product of cultural conflict and convergence, and integration of farming and nomadic economies, contributed to promote the economic development of the Central Plains, to unite and stabilize the multi-ethnic nation, and to secure the free flow of transport along the Silk Road. Though the Wall no longer functions as it used to, it is a monument of ancient Chinese culture and constitutes a wonder of the world, together with Pyramids of Egypt, CoThe Great Wall Of Chinalosseum Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and so on.

The Great Wall is a miracle in human history. No other ancient building in the world has been constructed for so long a time, on such a grand scale and at so tremendous a cost. Dr. Sun Yat-sen once commented that the Great Wall is the most famous work in China and a unique and truly marvelous sight on earth. Neil Armstrong, the first man who set foot on the moon, reported that, there are only two man-made works that can be identified from space and the moon. One is the Great Wall of China; the other is the dykes of Holland. Former U.S. president Nixon said, after he visited the Wall, that only a great nation could build such a great wall. The Wall well deserves its place on the World Heritage List. The Chinese government has attached great importance to tourism, which is supported by wonderful scenery, rich historic sites, and the various cultures and arts of different ethnic minorities.

The Great Wall, both as a cultural relic and unique natural landscape, has its special advantages. It has been widely known among domestic and foreign tourists that one is not a true man unless he climbs up the Great Wall (by Mao Zedong, originally referring to his determination to fight against Japanese invaders in the north). No one will miss the opportunity to visit it. When the former Prime Minister of the UK Mr. Heath mounted the Wall, he said, the past and future of China boast the same charm. …The Great Wall looks much more spectacular than I’ve seen in photos, embroideries or paintings. This just shows the eagerness of tourists to visit the Great Wall. It will stand with China and the world forever.

Posted in China tourism, Chinese Culture. Tagged with , , .

By admin
October 19, 2010

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Tips for Chinese Business Negotiation

Negotiation is inevitable and essential. Doing business with Chinese people, there are some special rules you should follow.

  1. Spokesman of the team is usually the senior ones. Before holding a meeting, you should determine the spokesman for the introductory part.
  2. Do not in a hurry. In China, there is a proverb goes give the matter further thought and discuss it later. Keep your negotiation at a slow pace.
  3. Always be ready for other topics.
  4. Chinese people will not say “no” straightforward, instead they will say “Let me think” or “We will see”. If that kind of expression come out, you should understand that they have no interest any more.
  5. Chinese people care much about process. They seek a status where both parties can get benefits. So try to make them feel comfortable.
  6. It takes a long time for Chinese to make a decision, as they like to think twice.
  7. No matter when, you can not lose your temper. One’s temper is related to one’s face and evaluation. If anything is wrong, the relationship can be ruined.
  8. Get away from high-pressure strategies. You may find yourself being inferior to others.
  9. Chinese people do business step by step. Usually, they do not make decisions during meetings.
  10. Do not belittle Chinese negotiators. They are smarter than you can think of.
  11. Do not ask for a high price in the beginning, leaving some room for negotiation.

Posted in China Business Development. Tagged with , .

By stella
October 13, 2010

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China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is Coming!

The 108th China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, will soon open on the October 15th at the China Import and Export Fair Complex. This year’s spring cession of the Canton Faire has drawn 56,915 exhibitors, and the turnover has reached 34,300 Million USD. The figure is supposed to climb still since in general the fall cession always has a better effect than the spring one, especially for industrial goods.

With a history of 53 years since the spring of 1957, China Import and Export Fair is now the largest trade faire in china with the assortment of products, the attendance, number of business deals that other trade fairs cannot compare with. It is held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and fall. Business people from all over the world are gathering in Guangzhou, exchanging business information and developing friendship.canton fair venue

As the name shows, the Canton Fair leans to export trade. Apart from the traditional booth dealing, the faire these years also provide other transactional forms including Canton Fair Online. Various types of business activities such as economic and technical cooperation and exchanges, commodity inspection, insurance, transportation, advertising, consultation, etc, are also carried out in flexible ways.

The upcoming fall cession has three phases. And each cession has duration for 5 days. And other faire information is as follows:

Time of Initiation: the spring of April, 1957

Interval: two sessions a year Fair

Session: The 108th Session of China Import and Export Fair
Phase 1: October 15-19, 2010
Phase 2: October 23-27, 2010
Phase 3: October 31- November 4, 2010Duration:
5 days each phase

Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex

Exhibition Space:1,130,000 M2 (107th Session)

Number of Booths:56,915 standard booths (107th Session)

Business Turnover34,300 Million USD (107th Session National Pavilion)

Number of Overseas Buyers:203,996 (107th Session)

Number of Exhibitors: National Pavilion:22,960 exhibitors (107th Session)

International Pavilion:399 exhibitors (107th Session)

Posted in China sourcing. Tagged with , , .

By stella
October 12, 2010

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Marketing in China-You Need a Good Name

One of the major issues of entering China is to choose a proper name for the product. Chinese are serious about names, so how will your name be received by large extent decides whether the product will sale in this market. Coca-Cola, for instance, was initially given the lethal name “bite the wax tadpole,” in China. This story, while largely an urban anecdote, serves to illustrate the importance of a good name in China marketing.

Leaving the decision of a perfect Chinese name to in-country counterparts is risky. Though it may create a moniker for convenient reference, the name might be too simplified to convey enough brand information and brand value to target consumers. Losing the battle of names means that enormous opportunities may be missed in transferring the vision and values of the brand over to the Chinese name.

As the Chinese always say, a badly name will hamper all subsequent efforts to success. If you don’t understand the significance of names in the Chinese context, you will encounter big trouble in later process. Names are a serious business in Chinese culture. Wang Dayou, a scholar specializing in Chinese name culture, speaking in the China Daily explaBIOTHERMined it like this. “Names are not simply a differentiating symbol, but a medium to pass on…culture. Other people can see a person’s beliefs and pursuits in his name” (12 January 2004).Therefore, your Chinese brand name is a combination of your brand’s culture, values, personality and vision. When transferring valuable equity over from the English brand name, you should be especially careful.

A perfect Chinese name takes three basic considerations: pronounceable, free of negative connotations, and not confusingly similar to existing names. Apart from going through these three painstaking parts, there are other aspects worth attention. To begin with, Chinese language works on the concept of nuances and associations. That is to say, a brand name should be meaningful and impressive both semantically and phonetically. A carefully chosen Chinese brand can be either a phonetic or meaning translation of their English brand. The choices of right characters are all the more important in latter cases. Phonetic translation and meaning translation has respective advantages: phonetic names usually sound more formal, but at the same time more distant; this tone of voice is more suitable for some industries, such as professional services and finance, than others.

China stands as a distinctive section in Asia market and as a result, a name that works well in other regions might fail in China. French brand, Biotherm, for example, goes by the Chinese name, bee-er-chuen, in most Asian markets with the exception of China. Biotherm highlights its international status with the name in China to gain higher brand positioning in cosmetic market with the the name “bee-oh-chuen, in which the middle character “oh” refers to Europe when it is pronounced.

Though great China Area is often regarded as a whole marketing area by many global companies, there are subdivisions that set themselves apart through distinct culture and heritage. China mainland market is very different from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan market in this regard. Hence, it’s not surprising that one brand has distinct names in different subdivisions. Hong Kong market tends to have Chinese names that aid in pronunciation of the English brand, while the mainland market focuses on choosing names that are rich in meaning. For example, Mercedes-Benz is known by three Chinese names in: Peng Zee in Cantonese for Hong Kong, Bing Shi in Mandarin in Taiwan and ben chi in Mandarin for mainland China. So a proper Chinese Name for your product also depends on where your market is: mainland, Hong Kong or Taiwan.

Finding the Right Fit

In summary, a perfect Chinese name requires manifold considerations such as the complexity and richness of the Chinese language, the balance between business, linguistic, market and cultural needs. A good Chinese name that can cater more to the demands of a new economy certainly opens more opportunity of success for you in China, no matter how much effort and cost it takes, it’s worthy.

Posted in China Business Development. Tagged with , , , .

By stella
September 30, 2010

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Chinese Government Cares For Overseas Businesses

The Chinese government once promised to “carefully listen” to opinions and suggestions from overseas business. Lately, economic experts say that they have seen improvements on related policies. It is great. International firms should focus on the overall improvement rather than the tiny problems.

overseas business

In the past three decades, a great quantity of foreign direct investment has poured into China, making the country the second largest foreign direct investment destination. The nation is thriving. However, some adjustments on foreign investment policies made by Chinese government have caused a growing number of complaints. They assume that it will obstruct their business development. Some even think that the investment environment in China is deteriorating.

Since February, Premier Wen Jiabao has confirmed eight times that any kind of enterprise is welcome in China and China will make it equal to that of domestic companies. We are ready to hear feedback anytime.

“There is no reason for China to bar foreign investment. China should always welcome them – even when the nation becomes a developed country. China needs quality foreign investment to optimize its economy,” Wang Zhile, director of the Research Center on Transnational Corporations under the Ministry of Commerce said.

Previously there were concerns that foreign investment will hurt domestic industries and maybe dominate the local industries eventually, but Chinese government never changed its positions on this issue.

In 1998, these guidelines identified “legally registered foreign enterprises as part of Chinese enterprises.”

Last December, the State Council pointed out “foreign enterprises were encouraged to participate in mergers and acquisitions of State-owned enterprises”.

To foreign investors, this April launched the most exciting foreign direct investment development guidelines. It covered preferential policies for land use and tax. But many international enterprises still have concerns over their future. They worry that the government is setting a higher level for foreign investment and it encourages them to target only the renewable energy, high technology and service industries in central and western areas of the country.

Wang disagreed. “This is a result of the transformation of the economic development mode with China and foreign investors need to do more research on China and try to match their commercial focus on those changes,” he said.

Obviously, giving up the market is not a wise choice.

Posted in China Business Development. Tagged with , , , .

By stella
September 29, 2010

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Confucius and Confucianism

September 28th every year Chinese people commemorate the great ancient Chinese philosopher and educator-Confucius, who was born on September 28th 551 B.C in the State of Lu. As the founder of Confucianism which later became the orthodox philosophy for most historical dynasties, Confucius developed an outstanding ethical and philosophical system from his teaching experience. His 3000 disciples passed out and on his philosophy nation-wide and recorded a book on his speeches and dialogues for next generation to study. The book is called Analects.Confucius

Confucianism is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia. It might be considered a state religion of some East Asian countries, because of governmental promotion of Confucian philosophies. But to Chinese people, Confucianism is actually more of a moral guidance and governance theory than a religion. Several core elements constitute Confucianism among which humanity leads the others. Humanity is the basic logic to examine the world and around humanity evolves and accumulates other elements such as three cardinal guides and the five permanent members. The Five permanents are Ren (Humanity), Yi (Righteousness), Li (Ritual), Zhi (Knowledge) and Xin (Integrity). And there are 4 classical elements of Zhong (Loyalty), Xiao (Filial piety), Jie (Continency), Yi (Righteousness). Ren (Humanity) and Yi (Righteousness) are fundamental to all the other elements with Ren (Humanity) being a guidance for thought and Yi (Righteousness) being a guidance for practices.

Another principle closely related to Confucianism is “He Er Bu Tong” (harmony while maintaining difference and diversity). Tolerance and peace has become an inherited trait of Chinese nation. Early back to the ancient time, Chinese philosophers like Confucius were aware of the importance of preservation of different opinions, isn’t it a demonstration of democracy to some extent? Tolerance and forgiveness is best illustrated by the idiom: “If what others say is right and your fault is true, change it. If not, be careful of committing that kind of fault” and “Learn others’ virtues, and reflect on your own weak points when you see others.” If you’re wrong and someone point out to you, you should thanks for the reminding. But if you are totally right and someone accuse you of out-of-nowhere fault, can you still thank him for this? Confucius says you can and should be grateful to it. It’s hard to imagine anyone would ever come up with this kind of philosophy in today’s modern society.

Since the birth of Confucianism, it has been criticized by fellows of the time, younger generations and so-called modern perspectives. Admittedly, some teachings of Confucianism are not acceptable in today’s world, for instance, the discrimination against females and the “If the emperor wants you dead, you have to die.” These propagated extremities breach the very foundation of the philosophy—humanity. However wrong Confucius had been regarding these aspects, he undoubtedly contributed to human social science like his counter western counterparts like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

Posted in Chinese Culture. Tagged with , , .

By stella
September 28, 2010

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Cultural Fighting in China

The Politburo meeting on July 23rd, convened by National President Hu Jintao, to discuss on urgent issue, Chinese current culture, on which, Mr. Hu declared that China must resolutely resist vulgar, cheap, and kitsch forms culture or else, the Chinese revival is at stake.

Once the news issued, enormous commentaries flood in Chinese vision. Some western media sarcastically reported that Chinese officials ignore some people struggle in the flood while sitting there discus some altisonant cultural issues. Both the pros and cons from Chinese net users exist. Some hold that Chinese government should interfere in current wrongly cultural tendency because compared with the western Chinese are less independent in thinking and more easily influenced by some vulgar cultures. While the others think the government should not do too much on the free development of culture and the government should urgently correct the problems with itself.

As a CBM member,a native Chinese, after reading many commentaries, I would like to from thee aspects to classify my opinion on this issue. Firstly, from many news reports, I found some western media always distortedly report the policy issued by Chinese government. I would like to say: certainly Chinese government has many problems with itself such as official corruption, low efficiency in governmental work, not as democratic as some western countries and etc. but since the found of PRC, in the short 30 years, Chinese government really improved a lot on all those issues, we should view no matter a person, a party or a government comprehensively and with a developing vision. Chinese government may have made mistakes on many issues but not always wrong.

Secondly, some net users comment that Chinese are less independent in thinking than some westerners. To this point, I cannot totally agree but Chinese may have to some extent accustomed to relying on the government. Currently, with the dating show program “If You Are the One” boosts in China, people and government shockingly found that some female contestants undisguisedly announce that the main quality they sought in a husband was that he be rich. And together with many other issues complex Chinese that what’s wrong with Chinese cultural tendency. Doubtlessly, this tendency can impossible be benefit to Chinese long-term development, and every Chinese has the responsibility to help it back to a normal track and Chinese government should shoulder its responsibility, either. So I think the government should do something on the issue.

Thirdly, some net users should not set foot in the free development of culture and the government should find the problem with itself. I partly agree with the later part of the comment. Chinese government should do something on the issue but be careful not overly involved in. The most important mission left to the government is to dig out the deep reason of the cultural tendency and to solve them instead of forbidding the public to do something, which will just raise public’s protest instead of helping solve the problem. In such environmental background, some females’ money-oriented marriage talk even to some extent is forgivable. Chinese government at this point should spend more effort on thinking how to change the abnormal skyrocketing house price tendency and other insane economic phenomena.

All in all, we should be tolerant to Chinese government behavior while the government should pay more attention to solve the fundamental reasons instead of superficially forbid or allow some behavior and take drastic measures to solve the self problem such as the corruption, low efficiency to improve governmental reputation.

Posted in Chinese Culture. Tagged with , , .

By stella
September 27, 2010

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China’s Holiday Economy Cheers up National Consumption

CBM reports:The holidays, especially those of 3 or more days have been carnival season for retail, tourism and real estate industry every year in China. It is also a momentum of government to boost domestic spending.

According to according to the Data the Ministry of Commerce, last year , in the first 3 days China’s 1000 key retailers reported a total of 14 billion RMB in sales revenues, with household electrical appliances, Jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The national holiday usually falls adjacent to another traditional holiday- The Mid-Autumn Festival-a time for family reunion like Thanksgiving. The Mid-Autumn spurs the sales of traditional festival food like moon cake, Yangchenghu crab and all kinds of spirit. Last year, sales of unpacked moon cakes of more flavors, such as coffee, chocolate, and even ice cream soared.

The weeklong national holiday is also an ideal time for weddings. Hotels and restaurants all over the nation is fully booked half a year before the holiday and a lot of people will take off time from the holiday to attend weddings. The merry event between couple actually drives a short-term boom of several industries at a time. Apart from the dining and catering industry, jewelry is very favored and the sales of jewels last year in Beijing topped 20,260,000 RMB, rose 92.4% up. Car rental business also sees substantial growth as a result of newly wedged couples.

This year, the holiday economy will see even better performance because there is only a week between the Mid-Autumn and the National holiday, which means if you link the two holidays with paid-vacation, you will have a “longest ever” 16-day rest in total. This can’t be more exciting news for domestic economy, even better news for travel agencies. Long holidays can involve more people in outbound journey including those in desperate need to visit relatives overseas and those expecting thrills in overseas travel. The prelude of holiday economy hot effect is mirrored in the stock market. A few stocks of hotel, aviation, food and wine industry already began the celebration of holiday by unanimous rocketing these days. The analysts said that. Obviously, investors are confident in their performance for the coming weeks.

Given the recovering economic atmosphere 2010, Chinese consumers are more willing to open their wallet than last year. What’s more important, people are always happier in rest and sales records love happy customers. Let’s see what answer sheet this year’s holiday economy will turn in the next weeks.

Posted in China Business Development. Tagged with , , .

By stella
September 27, 2010

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China’s Trade Surplus is expected to Shrink

The Commerce Ministry on Tuesday said China’s trade surplus is expected to shrink in the following months, and the government will take measures to stimulate economy. CBM hereby probes into the issue by a further step.

“Given that growth in exports outpaces that of imports, as shown by the July trade figures, the Chinese government is planning to adopt measures during the rest of the year to boost demand for imports and balance foreign trade,” ministry spokesperson Yao Jian said at a press briefing.

Yao did not talk over the specific government moves. He said that the government has taken measures like launching a series of import-oriented policies to stimulate imports, and trade surplus will continue to narrow in the next few months.

China’s trade surplus in July surged unexpectedly to an 18-month high of $ 28.7 billion as exports grew 38.1 percent year on year to a record high of $ 145.5 billion. Growth in imports, however, fell from 34.1 percent to 22.7 percent in June.

The slow growth in imports indicates that China’s control on real estate really impacts demand. Many economists asserted that the trade surplus will remain high as import growth continues to decelerate. However, Yao has high hopes of the future. He said “I don’t think that will be true.”

China’s export growth has fallen for three months since May, and the ministry said that the rate will keep decreasing for the rest of the year.

Li Jian, a researcher at the Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the commerce ministry, said “government policies to reduce tax rebates on energy-intensive exports in June and the recent policy on remitting import value-added tax and import tax on some high-tech products will help narrow China’s trade surplus in the short term”.

The Commerce Ministry will hold the China 2010 Import Forum in September this year to boost imports.

Analysts said that import growth will continue to slow as the government’s control on real estate restricting import of raw materials. Besides, the current economic situation has not fully recovered.

Posted in China Business Development. Tagged with , .

By stella
September 26, 2010

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Taboos When Using Chopsticks

Chopsticks to some extent symbolize Chinese culture and many foreign businessmen are to show the respect to Chinese chopstick by actively using chopsticks at table. But they do not know there are a lot rules and taboos concerning chopsticks using. If you want your respect and regards to traditional Chinese cultured well presented, CBM remind you following taboos about chopsticks that should be kept in mind not to offend when eating with your Chinese friends.

l        Locate your chopsticks uneven in length

No matter before eating or when you stop to speak, you should evenly locate your chopsticks. People will be reminded of death if chopsticks are located unevenly, namely, some protrude out. The association comes from that the shape the chopsticks located is similar to the traditional Chinese coffin because the board makes up the coffin is unevenly located.

l        Hold chopsticks with forefinger stick out

The correct way to hold chopsticks is to hold one end of the chopsticks with your thumb and forefinger and other three fingers to fix the chopsticks. If you forefinger sticks out when eating, people around you will feel be insulted because the gesture is similar to when Chinese are scolding or insulting others. Another gesture will create some impression if one points other with his chopsticks.

l        Knock bowl with chopsticks

In every Chinese family, if the child knocks the bowl with his chopsticks, he will be strictly scolded because the gesture is “specialized” for beggar when they are begging for food. If some one does this at table, he will be deeply despised.

l        Insert chopsticks into the dishes

Some conservative Chinese may even drive you away if you insert your chopsticks into the dishes, the gesture convey the same meaning as erecting middle finger in western culture.

l        Pass the bowl with chopsticks inserted in

On some occasions, people would like to save trouble by inserting the chopsticks in the rice so that to pass the bowl and the chopsticks together. But in China, the behavior may be recognized as cursing the person who accepts your bowl to death because it is similar to incenses in censer when Chinese are memorizing their dead ancestors.

l        Cross chopsticks at table

Cross chopsticks at table may indicate the people eating with you that you totally disagree with them or think them are totally wrong. In China, when a teacher finds a mistake in student’s exercise, he will write a red cross on it to remind the student his mistake. So later, cross in China has been generally regarded as either disapproval or disagreement.

l        Drop chopsticks on the ground

Chinese believe that there are fairies live above us and the dead spirits below us. So drop chopsticks on the table, the host will be annoyed because he thinks his dead ancestors have been disturbed, which for filial Chinese is a kind of disrespect and even defiance. So when you are invited to a Chinese family to have dinner, be careful not let your chopsticks drop down. If the mistake has been carelessly made, you should apologize instantly.

The above are some general taboos one should not offend. Some families even have their special customs at table, so the wise choice for you is to watch the host and follow him.

Posted in Chinese Culture. Tagged with , , , .

By stella
September 25, 2010

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