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Crazy enough to do business in China?

Taming the dragon

Chinese private enterprise and the Chinese government: Who will bend first?

Though just a few decades ago China's doors were closed to the world, the story today is starkly different. Travel there today and you will find that investors and businesses have entered this mystical land in search of the largest market of consumers on the planet. You want Starbucks? Try every other corner in Beijing or Shanghai (or any other city for that matter). McDonalds? Try every other corner. The West has flooded the market with restaurants, banking institutions, and goods and services of all kinds. Large foreign automobile companies have established manufacturing centers throughout China in an effort to widen their profit margins. China's cities and megacities are testaments to engineering and architectural achievement. Many of them rival the prominent cities of our time. A place where the old and the new are as present as it is a punch line; China is a land rich with opportunity. However, before taking the plunge it is important to know a few things.

I am by no means an expert, economist, businessman, or expatriate. I am simply a student and an individual who is studying business (in the global sense) and has an intense interest in China (and all things Chinese for that matter). I follow the news regularly and have traveled to China on several different occasions. My travels there have only driven my curiosity further and now I would like to someday work in China or work for a Sino-U.S. company here in the United States. I hope throughout the course of my first ever blogging environment to learn a great deal about this topic.

Business in China is such a vast topic. There are countless blogs, articles, and opinions on the matter. I hope to focus my efforts on a few areas. First, what a potential investor or entrepreneur should know before deciding to work in China. Next, what are the keys to success? Who are the prominent international players in Chinese markets? What are the latest trends and nuances? How is the Chinese economy weathering the current U.S. recession? Last, I want to explore the delicate relationship between the Chinese government and private enterprise.

The last posting topic is particularly interesting and important as it not only shapes China, but the world at large. Chinese exports line our shelves here in the United States and are often available at a lower price. What would happen if the Chinese government tightened their fist or loosened their reins? In an effort to protect its culture, will China limit or deny access to certain foreign businesses? Or will it give way to the almighty dollar (yuan). In fact, China is even loosening its grips on internet filters, which have long been used to block out many western internet sites/companies/groups.

For those still reading and are interested in working in China or just fascinated about the topic be advised that China is an intriguing place, but also fast paced and DENSELY populated! Each time I go there it seems my senses are heightened, my pulse more rapid, and my heart beats faster. There are cultural differences and practices to note. However, if you keep an open mind, you will find that it is an interesting ride, this place called China. Your business calling card awaits!