Useful Information
Getting to Know China
According to a historical economic study by Maddison, from the beginning of the Common Era until the mid-1800s, the positions of the world’s largest first and second economies were consistently shared between China and India. In the 1820s, the Chinese economy accounted for 35% of the global economy, far ahead of Western European countries, which collectively held around 20%, making China the world’s largest economy. From this perspective, China’s rise to the position of the world’s second-largest economy can be seen as a return to its historical “normal.” In 1950, China’s share of global GDP was only 5%. As of today, China accounts for 18.5% of global GDP…
Chinese Business Culture
While personal time and private life are highly valued in the West, in China, work is life itself. Chinese people can talk about business 24 hours a day, and many business-related activities, such as meetings and dinners, often take place outside regular working hours. Personal relationships, or “guanxi” as it is called in Chinese, are far more important in China than in Western culture, and in this sense, it can be said that Chinese culture is quite similar to Turkish culture. Before signing a business agreement, the Chinese side typically seeks to establish a strong personal relationship with their prospective partner, and the first few meetings may need to be dedicated solely to this purpose…
China Travel Tips
It is important to obtain a Chinese visa as early as possible. The visa process can be delayed due to reasons such as incomplete documentation, and waiting times may increase due to public holidays when consulates and visa application centers are closed. It should be noted that China is no longer a country with low prices. As production costs in China have risen, prices have also increased, and these price hikes have affected all sectors. Many internet services, including Google, are blocked in China, which can disrupt work. For example, accessing your email account may not be possible. Taking necessary precautions before traveling to China, such as installing a VPN, can be beneficial. If you do not speak Chinese, you may face difficulties not only in business meetings but also in all aspects of your experience in China, from shopping to dining. Traveling with an employee or business associate who speaks Chinese or working with an interpreter can be a solution…
Common Misconceptions About China
China is not just a country that produces and exports. It is also a consuming nation and the world’s second-largest importer. With its increasingly affluent population and growing economy, China has become a consumer-driven society.
The Chinese people are not a population that settles for less or lacks demand for imported products. China has a growing middle class, currently consisting of 400 million individuals, and this middle class’s demand for high-quality and imported consumer goods is increasing every day.
China is not a country where the economy is solely managed by the state. The private sector and entrepreneurs have gained significant influence in the economy, and their role continues to grow.
China is not a country that produces cheap and low-quality products. Chinese companies manufacture according to the importer’s demands and budget. Moreover, as of today, Chinese firms are conducting R&D investments in many sectors, producing goods that meet global standards…