Special economic zones are towns in Chinese provinces, which the government of China gives SEZs special (more free market-oriented) economic policies and flexible governmental measures. These policies make it
more attractive for foreign and domestic firms to do business in SEZ, than the rest of mainland China.
What are the Cities in the Special Economic Zones?
Guangdong
Nansha - Plastic, chemical, electronic, food processing and shipbuilding are the main industries in the zone.
Qianhai - geared towards Hong Kong with a focus on the professional and financial services sector.
Shekou - In 2003, the local government, seeking to capitalize on the foreign flavor of the area, invested in a complete make-over of Sea World, turning it into a western-style entertainment area centered on the grounded Minghua ship, a 14,000 ton, 168 m long vessel built in 1962 as a French ferry vessel purchased by China in 1973.
Shekou Port Ferry Terminal offers regular ferry services to and from Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai. The area attracts many tourists and has a sizable community of resident foreigners, and many non-Chinese restaurants exists in the area. There are also 5 International Schools in Shekou.
Zhuhai - The establishment of Zhuhai as an SEZ allowed the Chinese Central Government and economy to have easier access to the Macau and consequently, global market. The implementation of Special Economy Zone intended for the city to become a key port city, science and education city, scenic and tourism city, and as a regional hub for transportation.
The outstanding geographic location, a wide range of supporting infrastructure and a deep-water port serve as a major attraction for foreign capital. Utilized foreign investment reached US$10.344 billion in 2008. Among the top 500 enterprises worldwide, 19 of them have investment projects in Zhuhai such as ExxonMobil, BP, Siemens, Carrefour and Matsushita.
Fujian - the Fujian park aims to develop trade links with Taiwan and in so doing increase exports to and imports from further afield (suitable for logistics and marine transportation).
Xiamen
Xinjiang
Kashgar
What are the Provinces in the Special Economic Zones?
Hainan
Dalian, Liaoning
Qinhuangdao, Hebei
Tianjin
Yantai, Shandong
Qingdao, Shandong
Lianyungang, Jiangsu
Nantong, Jiangsu
Shanghai
Ningbo, Zhejiang
Wenzhou, Zhejiang
Fuzhou, Fujian
Guangzhou, Guangdong
Zhanjiang, Guangdong
Beihai, Guangxi
What are the Economic Policies of Special Economic Zones?
1. Special tax incentives for foreign investments in the SEZs.
2. Greater independence on international trade activities.
3. Economic characteristics are represented as "4 principles":
a. Construction primarily relies on attracting and utilizing foreign capital.
b. Primary economic forms are Sino-foreign joint ventures and partnerships as well as wholly foreign-owned enterprises.
c. Products are primarily export-oriented.
d. Economic activities are primarily driven by market forces.
What are the Benefits of the Special Economic Zones:
1. SEZs successfully tested the market economy and new institutions and became role models for the rest of the country to follow.
2. SEZs have contributed significantly to national GDP, employment, exports, and attraction of foreign investment.
3. The SEZs have also played important roles in bringing new technologies to China and in adopting modern management practices. It is estimated that as of 2007, SEZs (including all types of industrial parks and zones) accounted for about 22% of national GDP, about 46% of FDI, and about 60% of exports and generated in excess of 30 million jobs.
4. In 2007, the 54 HIDZs hosted about half the national high-tech firms and science and technology incubators. They registered some 50,000 invention patents in total, more than 70 percent of which were registered by domestic firms. They also hosted 1.2 million R&D personnel (18.5 percent of HIDZ employees) and accounted for 33 percent of the national high-tech output.
5. The key experiences of China’s SEZs and industrial clusters can best be summarized as gradualism with an experimental approach; a strong commitment; and the active, pragmatic facilitation of the state.
6. Trade laws differ from the rest of the country and companies are offered tax incentives (no tax before the investment becomes profitable) to set up operations, and to attract foreign investors.
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For a foreigner, such as a native English speaker, learning the Chinese language is complex, especially with non English characters and accent intonations on most words.
Mandarin - is the national language of China and Taiwan, and is the dialect you should choose if traveling to those countries, or if you're learning Chinese for academic/business purposes. China's large population makes Mandarin the most spoken language on the planet.
Cantonese - is the primary language of Hong Kong and China's Guangdong province. It is also the most common dialect spoken by Chinese overseas. Choose Cantonese if you're traveling to Hong Kong, doing business in Guangdong (a major economic region), or if you wish to speak with the majority of Chinese in the US, UK, Australia, or Canada.
What is the difference between Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese?
Simplified Chinese characters - are used in China and Singapore.
Traditional Chinese characters - are used in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and will also be seen on most Chinese menus and newspapers found overseas (US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc).
How many Tones are there in Mandarin and Cantonese?
Note that the same word with a different pitch or intonation will give a different meaning.
Mandarin has 4-5 primary tones.
Cantonese has 6-7 primary tones.
How can you learn Mandarin in China?
1. Enrol in Language School - undergo intensive training in a classroom environment with a qualified Chinese Teacher, who is also fluent in English. This is a great way to fast track your development and skills in the Chinese language, within a group setting.
2. Personal Tuition - seek a personal tutor to teach you Chinese on a one to one, face to face, personal basis, with a lesson configured to your exact needs and interest. For example, just focus on learning numbers, ordering food or practicing accents.
3. Self-Learn - Learn online through a variety of free or paid APPS or online learning videos, such as on Youtube, or BBC Language learning.
4. Online Tutor - Learn Chinese in the comfort of your own living room via Skype, Facetime, Viber or other video conference calling software. This is ideal for busy professional who do not have time to travel to a class, but are pleased to engage with a Tutor online, at their convenience and leisure.
5. Electronic Dictionary - utilize an electronic English - mandarin dictionary for translation of words or phrases from Chinese to English and vice versa.
6. Chinese Speaking Meet Up - go to a Chinese speaking meet-up event and be forced to practice your limited Chinese among Chinese speakers from China and fellow expats.
7. Chinese Movies - see a Chinese movie, and pick up new words and phrases each time.
8. Chinese Radio/TV - learn new words through Chinese TV or radio broadcasts.
9. Chinese Newspaper - practice your understanding of Chinese characters by reading an article in a Chinese newspaper. Note that this requires an advanced and pre-existing knowledge of Chinese, and is clearly not suitable for beginners.
VisaConnect: Migration Agents and Lawyers
China is a vast country, with many densely populated cities, and large distances between each city. To travel from A to B in China, you need to take a Plane, Train, Ferry or Bus.
What are the main Domestic Airlines in China?
- Air China
- Beijing Capital Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Juneyao Airlines
- Okay Airways
- Shandong Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Sichuan Airlines
- Spring Airlines
- Tianjin Airlines
- Tibet Airlines
- Xiamen Air
Essentially, the Chinese Airlines above are all highly professional, with different degrees of service and comfort, but generally with excellent Airline Safety and Product ratings/reviews. Note that most Chinese aircraft are new and modern planes, Airbus or Boeing (A330's, A340's, 737, 737, 747, 777 etc), and they are renowned for adhering to safety standards. The service is usually very good and includes a meal, even on a short flight of under 3 hours, from Hong Kong or Shenzhen to Beijing. Also, the hostesses know basic English and definitely can recit all the main airline phrases, such as: 'Fasten your seat belt', 'No smoking', 'May i assist you..'
What are the most common Train routes in China and duration of travel?
- Beijing-Shanghai: 5 - 6 hours
- Beijing-Tianjin: 35 - 50 minutes
- Beijing-Xian: 5 - 6 hours
- Beijing -Guangzhou: 8 - 10 hours
- Shanghai-Guangzhou: 7 - 8.5 hours
- Shanghai-Hangzhou: 1 hour
- Shanghai-Suzhou: 23 - 44 minutes
- Guangzhou-Guilin: 2.5 hours.
To buy a ticket at the ticket booth, you should have Chinese RMB (Yen) available or pay by international credit card. All you need to do is say the name of the city you wish to travel to, and the Clerk will inform you the Platform Number and Time of departure. As a foreigner, you will need to present your Passport for their records, and they will check that you have a valid Chinese visa. Of course, if you are in Shenzhen and have a Shenzhen Visa on Arrival in your Passport then you will be refused permission to travel out of Shenzhen to Guangzhou or any other Chinese city. Your train ticket will state your Carriage Number and Seat number, which you need to adhere to.
China train system boasts over 75,000 miles (120,000 km) long railway, including the world's largest high speed train network connecting more than 500 cities across the country, and the highest speed can reach 186 mi/h (300 km/h).
What Ferry services are available to China?
Hong Kong to China
A. Hong Kong Airport to Guangzhou Ferry
B. Hong Kong Airport to Shenzhen Airport Ferry
C. Hong Kong Airport to Shenzhen Ferry
D. Tuen Mun to Shenzhen Airport Ferry
South Korea to China
Incheon to Lianyungang Ferry
Macau to China
A. Macau to Shenzhen Airport Ferry
B. Macau to Shenzhen Ferry
Japan to China
Osaka to Shanghai Ferry
Why take an Intercity Bus in China?
Frequency - Chinese buses often run at a higher frequency than flights in China or trains. Most of the time you don’t have to worry about booking in advance because there will be a bus between two cities that runs every 20 minutes.
Convenience - Compared to Chinese airports and train stations, security at a bus station is a breeze. You rarely need to arrive at a bus station any earlier than 30 minutes before your departure.
Station Location - Most of the time, Chinese bus stations are located in the heart of a city as opposed to airports and train stations which are usually on the edge of town. This can not only save you time, it also saves you the expense of a taxi into town.
Availability - No need to buy a bus ticket earlier than a day in advance and often you can buy it on the day of departure. Unlike flights and trains, China bus tickets tend to have more availability, giving you the flexibility to change your itinerary at a moment’s notice.
Go to remote places - You can reach remote towns or areas the trains don't go to.
Real China experience - Sitting (or lying) next to people you don't know and communicating as best you can is a way to get to know Chinese people and learn about the country up close.
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To be successful in business in China, you need to adapt and accept local norms, customs, traditions and ethics in business dealings so as to enhance your prospects of successfully signing an Agreement for trade (import or export as a buyer or seller) or business collaboration.
Should a non-Chinese speaker take a Translator/Interpreter to a meeting, in China?
Yes. It's always essential to promote a professional image of your company, with full time or part time Chinese staff/employees. Alternatively, if you've got no employees then you can rustle up a couple of Chinese translators/interpreters, at short notice, and they can give the impression that they are your employees. The only disadvantage is that the Translator will have limited knowledge of your products/services and the Chinese company can easily detect that they are just translators.
How important are personal relationships in business, in China?
Very important. Don't expect to sign an Agreement for millions of dollars, at your first meeting with a Chinese company, unless you are Bill Gates of Microsoft! Don't expect the Chinese company to co-operate with you or partner with you at the first meeting!
In reality, there will be a considerable degree of skepticism and doubt about your company, its performance and prospects of providing an ethical and competence service. You will be informed about the competition, and the fact that there are already many good quality companies around who provide these good/services.
To maximize your chance of success in China, and to increase your prospects of getting a 'big deal', you need to be extremely well prepared, and be as authentic and professional as possible. See our Business checklist below:
1. How does your foreign company distinguish itself from competitors, in the eyes of a Chinese company?
2. What added value can you offer the Chinese company?
3. Can you offer a much lower price than competitors?
4. Are you much faster ad more efficient than competitors?
5. Are you a multinational company with offices throughout the world or at least give that impression that you are very well staffed and in many locations?
6. Do you have previous experience dealing with Chinese customers?
7. Do you have Chinese employees who can interface and communicate on a daily basis with any potential Chinese customers (suppliers/buyers)?
8. Do you have an office or representative office in China or nearby in a Chinese speaking territory of China, such as: Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan?
9. Are you licensed or registered in your profession, with excellent reviews and references?
10. Is your website translated into Chinese (Mandarin)?
11. Is your foreign company a Registered company, with business registration and a business license?
12. What are the qualifications, experience and profile of your Company Directors, and do they have any demonstrated areas of expertise? Are they internationally acclaimed and regarded as specialists in their field and do they regularly provide seminars and presentations at Expos and trade events?
13. Do you have a Business /Name card in Chinese and English?
14. Do you have a marketing brochure or booklet about your company's products or services, in Chinese?
15. What Chinese companies are you already working with? Do they recommend you?
Introductions in China - Tips:
Addressing others - Seniority is valued in China. It is important to address your counterparts by their title (Chairman, Director, etc.). Find out who the most senior person in the room is, and address them first.
Introducing yourself - Say your name clearly, and remember to state both the company you work for and your position. As a point of reference, know that Chinese will refer to their company first, then their title, and then their name when introducing themselves to others.
Handshakes - Meetings often start with handshakes. Ensure that you are not too aggressive with your handshake. Don’t be surprised if you are at the receiving end of a decidedly non-aggressive handshake. If things go well, you may also be on the receiving end of a prolonged handshake: anything goes. In western business contexts, you have probably found yourself in “squeezing” contests (among men): who has the stronger grip? In China, the question will be “who lets go first?” Don’t be shy about holding on if your counterpart is enjoying the contact – it is meant well.
Giving/Receiving business cards - Similar to introductions, hand out business cards to the most senior official first. Chinese use both hands when giving and receiving anything of value, including gifts and particularly business cards; you should do the same as this is one of the first points at which you will make an impression. Take a moment to look at and acknowledge the individual’s card. Have your own cards translated into Chinese on one side. Your title is important; this is how your hosts will determine who should be invited to meetings, what weight your words carry, and where you will be seated.
Your name - Having a Chinese name, ideally one with meaning rather than a transliteration of your English or French name will be taken as a sign of respect as well. The best approach is to have a local contact or native speaker help create one for you.
VisaConnect: Migration Agents and Lawyers
The EB-5 visa is a permanent residence visa (Green card) designed for foreign Investors to invest funds in US projects, such as property developments.
Congress created the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. In 1992, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program. The program is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
To be eligible for the EB-5 visa, the Investor applicant must do the following:
- Invest in a commercial enterprise in the United States, and
- Create or preserve 10 full time jobs for qualified US workers.
What is the Required Minimum Investment amount to be eligible for the EB-5 visa?
Required minimum investments are:
General - The minimum qualifying investment in the United States is $1 million.
Targeted Employment Area - (High Unemployment or Rural Area). The minimum qualifying investment either within a high-unemployment area or rural area in the United States is $800,000.
What is a Targeted Employment Area?
A targeted employment area is an area that, at the time of investment, is a rural area or an area experiencing unemployment of at least 150 percent of the national average rate.
What is a Rural Area?
A rural area is any area outside a metropolitan statistical area (as designated by the Office of Management and Budget) or outside the boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more according to the decennial census.
EB-5 Visa Statistics for 2014:
1. China mainland born investors constituted 9,128 or 85.4% of the 10,692 grand total in the EB-5 category. This number also signifies a 32.4% relative increase from the amount of China mainland born EB-5 immigrants in FY2013, in which they constituted 80.5% of the EB-5 category total.
2. In both years, investing $500,000 in a TEA through a regional center was the overwhelming investment choice for China mainland born applicants, with 95.5% having chosen that route in FY2013 and 98.2% in FY2014.
3. Apart from mainland China, see the numbers of applicants for the EB-5 visa from different countries below:
South Korea (2.1%)
Mexico (1.2%)
China Taiwan Born (1.2%)
Vietnam (1.1%)
Russia (0.9%)
4. Vietnam had the largest increase in the fraction of overall EB-5 immigrants between FY2013 and FY2014, while South Korea had the greatest decrease.
What are the benefits of the EB-5 program?
- Tens of thousands of jobs have been created in the US, since the program's inception in 1990.
- Since 2008, there has been an injection of over $13.5 billion of foreign direct investment.
- Reasonable price of the Investment - any qualified foreigner willing to invest at least $500,000 USD, and create 10 jobs in the US c an apply for an Investor Immigrant visa.
- No English language ability or test, No related business experience, and No minimum education requirements.
- Applicants and their family are free to live and work anywhere in the US, without restriction, including in states such as Florida or Texas with no state income tax.
- The EB-5 program provides permanent residence for the Investor applicant and his/her spouse, and any children under the age of 21 years. No sponsor is required.
- Employment of 10 US workers is satisfied through direct and indirect job creation. Foreign Investors using a designated Regional Center are given priority by USCIS.
- Investors have no need to manage the investment on a daily basis.
- Entitled to Education at US Colleges and Universities, at US resident costs.
- The Program has No waiting list and No quota backlogs as exists in many other Employment and Sponsorship visa programs.
- No H-1B work visa needed for employment.
- EB-5 is the fastest way to obtain a US Green card and Citizenship. Become a US citizen after 5 years.
- In the event of a political change / significant event in the investor’s home country, he/she and family can immediately gain entry to the U.S. without delay.
EB-5 Application Process:
1. File Form I-526, Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
2. Form I-526 is approved, then you need to either:
- File Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with USCIS to adjust status to a conditional permanent resident within the United States, o
- File DS-230 or DS-260, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, with the U.S. Department of State to obtain an EB-5 visa for admission to the United States.
3. After the I-485 application is approved or upon entry into the United States with an EB-5 immigrant visa, the EB-5 investor and derivative family members will be granted conditional permanent residence for a two-year period.
4. Removing Conditions - File Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions, 90 days before the two-year anniversary of the granting of the EB-5 investor’s conditional resident status (Green Card).
5. If USCIS approves the Form I-829 petition, the conditions will be removed from the EB-5 applicant’s status and the EB-5 investor and derivative family members will be allowed to permanently live and work in the United States.
Visaconnect can assist and advise you with the complete EB-5 application process, which includes professional and specialist legal advice from our US qualified Attorney's, guidance in finding a suitable Investment Project through our Regional Centers, completion of all Forms and paperwork and preparation of your supporting documents. Also, we openly, clearly and ethically inform you about the application process, and respond to your questions and queries immediately:
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Advice | US Attorneys (visaconnect.com)
A foreigner doing business in China registering a Chinese company can choose a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE). This structure allows foreign parties (individuals or corporate entities) to incorporate a foreign-owned limited liability company, without the involvement of a Chinese investor.
The WFOE is currently the most popular form of incorporation for foreign corporations/companies, in Mainland China, and this structure allows the foreign company complete control of their business operations.
To set up the WFOE, in China, you must arrange an agreed level of foreign capital for investment and register with the authorities. Depending on the type of business, you may also need a Business license to conduct your business legally, with approval of the Chinese government.
Advantage of the WFOE, include:
- Can uphold a company's global strategy free from interference by Chinese partners (as may occur in the case of joint ventures)
- New, independent legal personality
- Complete management control within the limitations of the laws of the PRC
- Possibility to receive and remit RMB to the investor company overseas
- Enhanced protection of trademarks, patents and other intellectual property, in accordance with international law
- Shareholder liability is limited to original investment
- Easier to terminate than an Equity Joint Venture
- Simpler establishment than a Joint Venture
Disadvantages of the WFOE, include:
- Inability to engage in certain restricted business activities
- Limited access to government support and a potentially steep learning curve upon entering the mainland Chinese market
- Requires the injection of foreign funds to make-up the registered capital, which is unnecessary with a Representative Office
- Regional differences in regulations and practical differences in the application of Chinese legislation can also apply
Other Types of Business structures, in China are:
Joint Venture (JV)
Representative Office
State Owned Enterprise (SOE)
Private Enterprise
Individually Owned (Sole Trader)
VisaConnect: Migration Agents and Lawyers
You speak English and no Mandarin? Meeting and networking with Expats (from Australia, UK, US and other countries) is a great way to get free tips about China business, culture, introductions, make new friends, and even find a new business partner!
In China, there a multitude of different organizations and events that are incredibly beneficial for foreigners. Some organizations offer free events, others are on a pay as you go basis, and others offer membership and cheaper entrance fees and benefits to members.
As an Expat, now living in China, what organizations should I join?
1. Chamber of Commerce - A Chamber of Commerce is a commercial based organization that is affiliated to a particular country and promotes closer relations between China and the foreign country through guest speakers, events, socializing functions etc.
For example:
Australian Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai - offer regular, almost daily events, including talks, seminars, drinks and socializing, training, New China policies talk, Christmas function.
Benefits of joining AustCham are:
"AustCham Shanghai membership provides access to support, education, advocacy and business services, as well as countless events and networking opportunities.
The key point of difference for AustCham Shanghai is that business membership gives you access to a dedicated individual in our team at the Secretariat, a Relationship Manager, who will work with you to further your business interests.
AustCham Shanghai's Membership Team provides introductions, business referrals, and advice on a range of topics. Daily our team gives advice and fields questions across issues including market entry, business set up structure, suitable partner and provider identification, marketing and branding opportunities, to general advice that helps organizations understand the shifting business landscape that is mainland China."
Note that you don't have to be an Australian citizen to join the Australian Chamber of Commerce nor do you have to be an American citizen to join the American chamber of Commerce - most of the events appeal to Expats and local Chinese for that matter, and are in the English language, non specific events and informative events that are very inclusive and open to people of all races, backgrounds and nationalities.
2. Meetup - this is a wonderful online avenue to tap into an enormous talent of rich and diverse Expat professionals, in a social and relaxed environment, just through searching for a group of your choice, in your city in China. Many of these events include: Walking groups, Singles events, Dining, Expats, Cooking, Basic Chinese communication, French speakers event, Museum and Arts groups, in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and other locations. At these events, you can exchange business cards and build your network fast, in a non-pressured atmosphere.
3. Expat Groups - hold regular networking and informal drinks events for Expats living in China. For example: Internations:
"With InterNations you can interact with a knowledgeable and experienced community of expats that have lived and worked in China. Don't feel you need to learn everything on your own, call on the InterNations community to help you get to grips with your new life abroad with a click of a button. Moving to China is a big step, and you may have a lot of questions you want answered such as, “how much does it cost to rent a two-bedroom apartment in Beijing?”
4. Volunteer Organizations - for example, Rotary, which is focused on business professionals attending lunch/dinner events with a guest speaker, networking and supporting other members and helping with Student exchange programs globally and other community and volunteer programs:
There’s something that all Rotary club members have in common: We take action. As community volunteers, we reach out to neighbors in need. We build, support, and organize. We save lives. We work locally and globally.
"Around the world and around the corner, the 1.2 million men and women of Rotary
- Get involved in their communities
- Connect with other professionals
- Share their time and experience with young people
- Support global causes, such as eradicating polio
- Use their skills to help others"
5. Business Network International China (BNI) - joining a particular Chapter or branch of BNI enables you to present information about your company services to other professionals, usually over a breakfast. The group comprises about 20 people of all different occupations and it is not permitted for there to be more than 1 member of the same occupation, so as to avoid competition and enhance your chances of getting exclusive referrals:
"Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people working for you...
...because all of them carry several copies of your business cards around with them. When they meet someone who could use your products or services, they take out your card and recommend you. It's as simple as that! If I give you business you'll give me business and we'll both benefit as a result."
"Last year alone, members of BNI passed 6.6 million referrals...
...which generated over $8.6 billion dollars' (U.S.) worth of business for its members! BNI is a business and professional networking organization that allows only one person per professional classification or specialty to join a chapter."
6. China Business Network - method of promoting your business to local Chinese citizens and getting business consulting advice, and localization help for a fee:
"China Business Network (CBN) is a consortium of entities focusing on outwards investment, outbound travel from China as well as facilitating trade both import and export fitting our slogan " Bring the World to China - Taking Chinese to the World" by providing business consultancy and facilitating services for large numbers of Chinese and foreign authorities, businesses as well as other organizations."
7. Female Networking Groups - which have a wide array of events, talks, walks, and mentor programs. For example, Viva Beijing Professional Women Network:
"At Viva we enable professional women in Beijing to increase their impact and enjoyment of working life by providing a network where they can
- share knowledge and enhance their professional skills
- make meaningful business connections and friendships
- meet like-minded people, be inspired and have fun!"
8. Linked In - this is an internet based opportunity for you to self-promote yourself through uploading your Photo and CV/Resume, qualifications education and work experience and then adding professionals to your network for business co-operation and to be informed about their events, seminars etc.
9. Chinese Online Networking Groups - useful for building a network of Chinese followers and promoting your products/services, in Mandarin. These networks enable both businesses and individuals to create an online profile and join groups of interest. They can be useful for self-promotion, recruitment and making new contacts in your field. For example, Wechat, QQ, Tianji, Dajie, Binzhi or Ushi.
10. Expat Magazines - reading regular issues of Expat magazines is a great way to find out what's going on, in your city, keep updated about news, and view advertisements in English from other Expats looking for jobs or advertising jobs, and classifieds. For example, in Beijing, there are the following excellent magazines:
The Beijinger
Time Out Beijing
That's Magazine Beijing
City Weekend Beijing
11. Mandarin Study Course - studying Mandarin in China gives you numerous advantages: learning Mandarin to be able to have basic or advanced conversation with Chinese clients and not needing a translator ever again, opportunities to network and make friends for fellow expat classmates, learn about Chinese history, culture and participate in Group Tours of a Chinese city.
VisaConnect: Migration Agents and Lawyers
