Over the years, China has managed to make a name for itself in the business world and economy. Currently, China has a population of over one billion and growing. This large population size has positioned China as the largest and most populous country on the globe. And of course, with population, comes an array of businesses and China is no exception. In fact, this country has some of the biggest business headquarters plus business opportunities available. This alone enables it to promote both its national and international business ideas and exchanges. So, in as much as China is one of the best tourist attraction sites on the globe, it is also an attractive site for many business opportunities.
Should you end up having your business take you there at one point or another, you should be very prepared for the trip and the whole time you are going to spend in China’s mainland. You will come to realize that there are many more factors that you need to put on the table if you want your business trip to China to be a success.
There is a lot of planning that you will have to do prior to your business trip. You will only manage to count yourself as having had a successful business trip to China is everything runs smoothly throughout your time there. That’s why we have compiled a short but detailed list of some things that you can do to make that possible.
You can use these tips to make your business travels to China smooth and effective. Let’s begin.
1. Build personal connections prior to your visit
Doing this early enough will give you an easier time throughout the entire time you will be in China. For one, these personal connections can help you through the entire navigation of the bureaucracy process. It will also help to open more doors for more business ventures should you be interested in the same. Most businesses in China also run on guanxi (relationship building.) So, building personal connectors early enough will enable you to establish trust and even respect for the business connections that you establish.
If you have someone you know and can easily trust in China, the better and easier things will be for you. If not, then you can start by asking your contact in China to connect and introduce you to as many people as possible. This step is essentially important if you are looking to establish a new business market in China mainland.
2. Check the weather
Also, make attempts to know the climatic situations in the areas you plan to visit before you travel. Some areas in China have enjoyable and ideal weather. But others aren’t always as good. Plus, you will also notice that not all enjoyable weather stays the same throughout the year. Weather patterns change a lot in China. Which is why you need to know the current patterns. This is the best way to equip yourself accordingly with appropriate clothing for the different climatic conditions. If not too careful, you may end up experiencing China’s energy-sapping sun-scorcher or even a wind-bitten blowout. Manage your dressing code throughout your business trip to China. If not, then chances are high that your first trip won’t be as enjoyable as you might have initially thought.
3. Transportation
When we come to the transport industry and modes, you will find that China has some of the best modes of transportation. The major cities, mostly, are very easy to navigate through. About 98% of all roads are paved. And you can’t miss noticing the many High-speed rails which connect to almost all provinces within China. If you are looking to travel on business trips and travels within China, then a cab or taxi would be the best way to go. But you can also hop into some of those high-speed trains to get some experience of them yourself. In short, you won’t have any trouble navigating through this huge country as long as you know where you’re headed to.
4. Paperwork
Like with any other country, entry and/or exit into China requires you to have relevant documentation. Without the appropriate paperwork, your chances of getting into the country become super-slim. This is the main reason why it is vital that you always keep all the relevant documents with you at all time. This starts mainly with your visa. At least, start planning and gathering all your paperwork one month before the initial travel. There is a service in China that offers non-U.S. passports of fees from as low as $52 upwards. But for U.S. citizens, you can get a visa at their Embassy which costs between $140 and $170.
5. Chinese registration
Aside from your passport, visa, and other documentation to access the country, you also need to register all your travels in China. It is a requirement by the Chinese government that you register your stay in the country with the Chinese local police department. It is vital that you do this within the minimum time possible. At least 24 hours after you arrive in the country. Failure to do so, the authorities will consider you as non-compliant. You may then end up facing penalties and in some cases, even deportation. So, avoid getting into any confrontations with the Chinese local authorities during your visit by complying with their requests.
6. Accommodation
It is also recommended that you book hotel reservations in advance before you travel. Don’t wait to start looking for accommodation on the day that you arrive. You may end up stranded if you find all the accommodations have been reserved or are occupied. China has some of the best hotel accommodations. Take, for example, the Shanghai Hilton which offers U.S.-style hotel services. You will also come to realize that most of the hotel staff of some of these big and luxurious hotels speak English. This can be quite convenient especially if you don’t know any Chinese.
There are also many more affordable four- and even five-star hotels in China that you can get for between $80 and $100 a night. This is quite affordable. their services and decor are also top-notch. All you need to do is look for the hotel you prefer and check online if they offer online bookings.
7. Check the language barrier
You also need to bear in mind that English isn’t a widely spoken language in China. You will notice that even in the larger cities, the Chinese language is dominant. So, if in any case, you are completely unfamiliar with the language, you may find yourself stranded. Most people, especially the businessmen, would simply hire translators to translate virtually everything they hear. This is quite handy and effective especially if you came into the country to transact business deals.
8. Need a VPN
You must use a VPN before going to China ,because you can not use Facebook,Twitter ,Google ,linkedin and Instagram when you are in China . So VPN is very important .The main reason why you need to have a good VPN service having your back is so that you can go around the Great Firewall of China. This firewall monitors and sometimes even slows or restricts certain external connections into China. A good VPN can help you to easily circumvent your way through the so-called geo-blocking feature by the Great Firewall of China. geo-blocking restricts certain external connections and websites into China. So, if you are a huge fan of websites such as The New York Times, then a VPN is a must-have in China. A good VPN also enables you to access social media websites that have restrictions in China. You will also be able to enjoy fast and secure public wi-fi connections and still keep your identity hidden.
Aside from all these great features, you can also use a VPN to watch your home country’s favorite TV shows. You simply need to connect to the foreign connection using your IP address then voila, you are good to go.
Otherwise, you can rest assured that your internet and other modes of online communications won’t be affected even as you visit the country for your business trip. Just ensure that you have a good VPN service provider with you during the trip.
9. Work hard
From the moment you arrive in China, you will notice that there is simply no ‘rest’ period. Like almost every time of day, night, and weekend is work time. Don’t be shocked if your business meeting takes place at the office at 1 a.m. You find that many Chinese employees work for about 12 hours a day every day. This basically makes their places of working to be their second homes. Seeing is believing. This is the moment you will know that this country really isn’t successful through luck. It strives to be where it is. So, if you want to have any chance of having a successful business deal and/or venture, then it would be best to learn to keep up with their pace early enough.
Final thoughts
Overall, it is evident that there are many business ventures that are popping up every day in China. And rightly so as it is one of the most industrialized countries in the world. This makes it one of the best places to expand new businesses as the market is also huge. But even so, you can end up losing your way if you don’t pay heed to its many demands and requirements. That is why we have compiled this list in this article so that you can have a smooth and stress-free experience throughout your business trip in China’s mainland.
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