CULTUREQUEST BUSINESS - CHINA-

China is fascinating mix of ancient and modern. From its snowy mountain ranges to its long rivers and to its expansive deserts, China is home to a rich mix of ethnicities, cultures and traditions that can be traced back thousands of years.

Although China's known history begins five thousand years ago with the Age of Five Rulers, there's a legend that states that the first ancient ruler was Fu Xi, who reigned even earlier in the thirty-fourth century B.C. Fu Xi is said to have inspired the sacred book, the I Ching, which promotes the theory that the universe is subject to alternating elements of yin and yang. Even history has a yin and a yang cycle: dark periods precede periods of enlightenment, which are followed by periods of darkness and repression, and so on. This yin-yang theory of history has greatly impacted the Chinese mind-set and is often used to explain the current period of heady optimism, growth, and opportunity.

Located on the western seaboard of the Pacific Ocean, China is about as large as the continent of Europe and slightly larger than the United States. Since its modern political and economic opening beginning in the 1970s, China has been on the fast track to resume its historical role as a global power. Whether for business or leisure, people from around the world are flocking to China to see the monumental changes in this ancient land.

With more than 1.3 billion people spread over the world's third largest country, the local culture varies greatly from region to region. Wide differences in customs, attitudes and traditions make traveling throughout the country a fascinating experience. The strong influence of Confucianism can be see throughout the country, as people continue to place a priority on family, education, respect for elders, and hard work. Over the centuries, most Chinese have mixed religious beliefs and practices resulting in a unique blend of Taoism-Confucianism-Buddhism. Curious to learn about how these beliefs and practices are observed in modern China, CultureQuest can help.

As China's economy continues to grow and open, more companies are pouring into this energetic country either looking for cheap services and products or to sell to its huge consumer market. Regardless of the industry or size of business, introductions, connections and relationships, known as guanxi, continue to be very important. While it's clear that the Chinese business landscape is changing, many traditions remain. Whether determining the seating for a meeting or a banquet, or negotiating a successful deal, understanding the local culture is essential. Not sure how to effectively conduct business in China, CultureQuest can help.