Mainland China, the most populous country in the world and constituting one-fifth of the world population with its over 1.3 billion people is a huge market for a variety of export products from different countries. Not to mention its big exports to other countries as well as its attractiveness to multinational companies to establish their operations in Mainland China. Mainland China is now being talked about as the country to watch. People are still talking about the grandeur and the splendor of the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics in Mainland China in August, 2008.

Let me share some interesting information about Mainland China and its people:-

• China has an old if not the oldest continuous civilization covering a period of about 5000 years. China has an area bigger than the United States. Originally ruled by successive dynasties for thousands of years. China has a communist government. Agriculture is the top industry;

• The capital of China is Beijing (old Peking) for more than 800 years. China is one of the most diversified country in the world. It has 56 ethnic groups. Han – one of the ethnic groups constitute 90 percent of the population. There are also 200 dialects still in used. The 200 Chinese dialects are however bonded by the same written language. The official national language which is spoken by more than 70 percent of the population is standard Chinese (Putonghua). It is based on the Mandarin dialect;

• The traditional Chinese names are presented differently from the usual practice because the family name is first and the given name second; Chinese names usually consists of one syllable family name, followed by a one or two syllable given name;

• Ancient Chinese culture and philosophy have a strong influence on Chinese business structures. The philosophies in life of Confucius, an ancient Chinese scholar pervades the social relationship in Chinese society ranging from family to civic to business values;

• Consistent with Confucian principles, devotion and loyalty to the family is a historic fact. The family is the foundation for all business enterprises. Being family-based, obedience to parents is an absolute rule. Humility and patience are virtues respected by Chinese;

• Traditionally, the Chinese use chopsticks for all their meals. Chinese never start to eat or drink before the host does. Punctuality is expected by Chinese not only for business meetings but for social occasions as well;

• Group consensus is preferred to individual opinion as Chinese are group-oriented. No one should stand out in a team. They also favor silence or talking too little to talking too much. They also consider rude direct questioning. Chinese put a premium on politeness; in the same way that they revere authority and order;

• Likewise, Chinese avoid direct confrontation and direct arguments. During a meeting, only the leader speaks. The Chinese expect the other group to do likewise;

• In a business meeting, preliminary social conversation with appropriate introductory conversation to know each other precedes the business meeting proper. Formal in their meetings with foreigners, Chinese introduce their guests by using their full titles. (To be continued)

Have a joyful day!