Business trip to Shanghai, China
As a major economic and business center of China, Shanghai is attracting investment from large number of overseas companies. Its open policy has made it a magnet for foreign investors. Places like ‘The Bund’ and ‘Pudong’, which have evolved rapidly in the past few years in Shanghai, have increased the city’s role in international finance, banking and trade.
Shanghai has a strong history in manufacturing and technology. With innumerable technology parks and industrial districts, the city is the leading industrial base of China. Steel, telecommunications, automobiles, power production equipment, petrochemicals and electric appliances are six pillar industries of Shanghai, being almost 50 percent of the GDP. Beside this, also the foreign influence has made the city a consumer heaven.
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The service industry now likewise represents a growing part of the city’s economy. Finance, insurance, real estate, tourism and information represent the key sectors of development. The Shanghai Stock Exchange is one of the largest foreign exchange trading centers of the country and various specialized markets like foreign banks and insurance companies have also developed rapidly in Shanghai.
Shanghai hosts the 2010 World Expo. Expo 2010 Shanghai China will be a great event to explore the full potential of urban life in the 21st century and a significant period in urban evolution. Fifty-five percent of the world population is expected to live in cities by the year 2010. The prospect of future urban life, a subject of global interest, concerns all nations, developed or less developed, and their people. Being the first World Exposition on the theme of city, Exposition 2010 will attract governments and people from across the world, focusing on the theme "Better City, Better Life." For its 184 days, participants will display urban civilisation to the full extent, exchange their experiences of urban development, disseminate advanced notions on cities and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions in the new century. They will learn how to create an eco-friendly society and maintain the sustainable development of human beings.
Shanghai is one of the world’s busiest seaports. It ranked first of the world’s busiest ports in terms of cargo throughput in 2005. In terms of container traffic also, it is third busiest port in the world.
The combination of being internationally diverse and commercially potential makes Shanghai a leading gateway for the world into the rich, historic and complex society of today’s China.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use an intermediary to get introduced.
Take your time and be very patient. It can take a very long time to build a relation.
Use formal names and academic titles. Rank is very important and should be respected at all time.
Chinese are not direct, they prefer subtlety to directness. They will not tell you what they think.
Dress formal and conservative. Womens should wear flat shoes. - Meetings and negotiations:
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
A translator/intermediary is essential.
Remain standing until invited to sit down.
Agenda’s are strictly followed but a meeting can take much longer then planned because decisions take a long time.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate and use only black and white colors!
Written material should be available in both Chinese and English, using simplified Chinese characters. Make certain that translations are accurate and cannot be misinterpreted.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Bring a gift for your host.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Do not talk business.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
Learn to use chopsticks.
Try everything that is offered.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
Making slurping sounds is allowed of even appreciated.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
China has not escaped the recent global economic crisis. With an economy heavily dependent on exports to developed markets, the sharp drop in global consumer demand has had a important effect on China’s economy. In 2007 China’s economy grew by 13 percent and had maintained over 10% growth for most of the past decade.
In 2008 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth dropped to 9 percent, dangerously close to the 8 percent growth that many economists believe to be required to feed China’s economic engine. Exploratory Chinese economic figures for the last quarter of 2008 indicate that this decline is continuing and accelerating. Overall economic growth in China is continuing, however and foreign companies are benefiting.
In 2008, inflation, measured by the country’s consumer price index, dropped slightly from the year prior to about 6 percent but continues to be an economic threat. China’s manufacturing base helped the country hit record trade surplus levels of € 189 billion in 2008. Foreign investment is strong with China remaining as one of the main destinations for foreign capital investment, though growth began to slide in 2008. China’s economic miracle is tempered by a number of looming threats, namely a rapidly aging population and a perilously deteriorating environment.
In the end of 2008 the Chinese government, in order to shore up the weakening domestic economy, unveiled a € 371 billion (RMB 4 trillion) economic stimulus plan. € 168 billion, or 45 percent, of the stimulus package will go toward the construction of railways, highways, airports and power grids; another € 93 billion will be used for post-disaster reconstruction, which includes rebuilding after snowstorms that hit Central China in early 2008 and the earthquake that struck Sichuan province in May. € 34 billion will go towards rural development and infrastructure projects; € 32 billion has been earmarked for ecological environment; € 26 billion will be used for low-income housing; and the rest will be spent on health, culture, education and innovation.
Some facts in a list:
| Currency | Chinese Yuan(RMB) |
| Time zone | GMT +8 |
| Population | 1.338.612.968 |
| Area | 9.640.821 km2 |
| Population density | 140 /sq km |
| GDP | € 5,76 trillion |
| GDP/per capita | € 4.297 |
  | Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches). |
Do you take your interpreter with you during your business trip? Even better, hire someone local. That way you are sure that he or she speaks the correct Chinese language variant of the region where you are going to.
An interpreter who also speaks the language of your business
An interpreter that has graduated with honors speaks its languages perfectly. But.. you are better of with someone who knows what type of business you’re in and knows the right translations and understands your business. Ask around for the right interpreter and choose the interpreter who feels at home in your core business.
Interpreter etiquette
During the meeting, keep looking at your business contact, not at your interpreter, not even when he or she is talking. Try to avoid the specific terminology of your industry. A wrong translation can lead to misunderstandings. Answers your business contact with a “yes” or a “no”, try determine to what he or she answered exactly so that there can be no misunderstandings about the results.
Never rush
Remember that Chinese negotiations usually go through several stages. First there is an informal prenegotiation. After that follows the official main negotiation. After that there is a possibility of some sort of after-negotiation. Don’t try to force the state of affairs, that could jeopordize the complete negotiations. In advance make proper arrangements with your interpreter, you will need the same interpreter during all those 3 meetings.
Who is the decision maker?
During your meeting try to find as early as possible who will take the final decision in the end. Your Chinese contacts usually speak to you with a group, but only one of them will make the final decision. See who enters the room first and in which order your business contacts present their businesscards. Who takes the floor first? How do the Chinese business contacts react to one another? When you can find out who is the decision maker and you are able to convince that person, you will probably get the approval of the whole group.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a major aviation hub in Asia, especially in the East Asian region, and is the primary international airport serving Shanghai. Located about 30 km from the city centre, it occupies a 40 kilometer square site next to the coastline in the eastern side of the Pudong district within the boundaries of the Shanghai Municipality.
Address
Pudong New Area
900 Qihang Road
Shanghai 201202, China
Tel: (021) 9608 1388
www.shanghaiairport.com
Airport codes
IATA airport code: PVG
ICAO airport code: ZSPD
Lost property
Left luggage handling is available in both terminals. A lost and found office can be found between Gates 8 and 9 in International Arrivals (tel: (021) 6834 6324).
Terminal info
Terminal 1 was opened in 1999 along with a 4000m runway and a cargo hub. It was built to handle the demand for traffic and to relieve Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport’s traffic. Terminal 1 has 28 gates, 13 of which are double decker gates. The exterior of the terminal is shaped like waves. The capacity of Terminal 1 is 20 million passengers. It currently has 204 check-in counters and thirteen luggage conveying belts. Terminal 1 has received some controversy about the lack of shopping stalls, the pricing of the shops, confusing locations of restrooms, the escalators and passenger difficulty of moving through the terminal.
Terminal 2, opened in 2008, along with the 3rd runway, gives a capacity of 60 million passengers. Terminal 2 will be used for Air China, Shanghai Airlines and other Star Alliance members and some SkyTeam and Oneworld members will relocate their operations to this terminal.
Connectivity from the airport
Train
The Maglev Train, a magnetic levitation train and the fastest in the world, connects the airport with metro line no.2 at Longyang station (journey time - 8 minutes). The trains run every 15 minutes between 07:00-21:00. The station is situated next to the airport and is connected to the terminal by a bridge. Work is under way on the underground metro line no. 2, which will link Pudong and Hong Qiao International airports. This should be completed by 2010, in time for the World Expo.
Taxi
Taxis are available and passengers should make sure the driver uses the meter; passengers must join the correct queue for the desired destination; queues are determined by journey duration (journey time to Shanghai - 25-40 minutes).
Taxis are everywhere in Shanghai. No matter what time of day, you can easily hail one on almost any main street in the city. Taking taxis is generally very convenient and affordable, provided you can communicate your destination in Chinese and you don’t hit a terrible traffic jam.
Taxi fare for every km is marked on the window pane, every km is RMB2. The initial fee is RMB10 for the first 3 kms. From 11:00pm to 5:00am the fare is RMB3 for each kilometer and the initial fee is RMB13.0 for the first 3 kms. Remember to ask for a receipt before you get out of the car and keep it for possible complaint or claim.
When you want to hail a taxi, prepare a written address in Chinese characters. It is wise to collect business cards of your hotel and other favorite places such as restaurants and stores.
Coconut Paradise
With its lush garden, Thai-style architecture, and leafy outdoor seating area, Coconut Paradise is a calm oasis in the heart of Shanghai.
38 Fumin Lu
near Julu Lu
PHONE: +86 (21) 6248-1998
www.coconutparadise.cn
1221
With its secluded alley location, this stylish Shanghainese restaurant may be slightly hard to find, but the superb menu makes the search worthwhile. Lighter flavors in dishes such as the shrimp balls, lemon chicken and crispy duck make this an in-demand foreigner favorite.
1221 Yan’an Xi Lu
Changning
near Fanyu Lu, Metro Line 2 Jiangsu Lu Station
延安西路1221号泛太大厦3号楼底楼
近番禺路, 地铁2号线江苏路站
Phone: 6213-6585, 6213-2441
No website
Jean Georges
Nestled on the fourth floor of Three on the Bund, this swanky restaurant is actually the brainchild of world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. He stepped out of New York and set foot in Shanghai - it is no wonder, then, that the eatery offers contemporary French cuisine in a splendid Western setting.
3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road
Shanghai, 31 2000 China
Phone:86 21 63217733
www.jean-georges.com
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Shanghai.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Shanghai it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Shanghai.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Pudong Shanghai
The Crowne Plaza Hotel Pudong Shanghai is approximately 30 km from the Shanghai Pudong Airport and 25 km from the Dongfang subway station. Guests can reach the hotel from the airport on the 6 Metro, which also extends into the city center. Conveniently located to the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, the Crowne Plaza Hotel Pudong Shanghai is close to numerous city attractions. This business class hotel contains several meeting rooms and other office facilities.
1000 Yang Gao Road (N)
Shanghai, China
More info about Crowne Plaza Hotel Pudong Shanghai
Metropole Hotel Shanghai
The hotel is 30 km away from Pudong Airport. For in-city travel, the Shanxi subway station is nearby. Each room at the historic Metropole Hotel Shanghai features both an LCD television and a personal computer equipped with high speed Internet. Safe deposit boxes, in-room massage therapy and contemporary furnishings are also available. Metropole Hotel Shanghai has copiers, printers, and fax machines available for guest use. There are also two meeting rooms equipped with projectors and wireless microphones.
180 Jiangxi Road Middle
Shanghai, China
More info about Metropole Hotel Shanghai
Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel
The Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel is located within 15 minutes of the city center by car. It is situated in the Xu Jia Hui area which is known for its shopping. Within close proximity to this hotel are the Hong Qiao Economic and Technological Development Zone and Jiaotong University.
800 Ling Ling Road
Shanghai, China
More info about Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel
There are so many places where you can shop during your business trip to Shanghai. I have made a selection of a variety of shops just to keep options open....
Fabric market
As the name suggests, this is the ultimate stop for buying fabrics. From fine silks and smooth linens to durable polyester and luxe velvet, it’s all on display at this market. Beautiful finds for the person who enjoys sewing, or the person who wants to have beautiful clothes or home accessories custom-made.
Shanxi Nan Lu
This strip of boutiques and stalls offers a huge variety of fun and trendy items. Most of the shops are small and feature inexpensive, but chic clothing and shoes.When you won’t bargain at all of these shops – even in the boutiques – and you won’t get an even better deal.
Curio Street at Dongtai Road
The Curio Street on Dongtai Road is the antique-hunter’s mecca. Slightly over 200 meters long, the street is lined with more than 125 small shops selling a mind-boggling variety of items. The main products are China wares, bronze wares, jade pieces, bamboo and wood carvings, calligraphy, paintings, badges, Chairman Mao memorabilia, ancient ink, and paper, brushes, pens, and ink slabs. The place remains as one of the most popular markets among expats and locals. It’s important to remember that most of the items are not genuine. The fun of the place may not be in finding a real antique, but seeing all of the interesting items and the haggling experience. Haggle hard if you want to purchase something.
Shanghai Silk Mansion Company Ltd.
It is the biggest retail and wholesale center for silk fabrics in Shanghai, hence it gets the name "the king of silk” around the world. The operation of this company is comprehensive, combining the scientific research, producing and trading with the features of high-technology products as well as chain stores running. The company owns a wholesale store and 10 chain stores in some main commerce streets of Shanghai, but the products have been popular in 29 provinces and cities of China, especially the “Yi Fang” brand silk fabric, which is fashionable and of high quality. Being the fixed shop for foreign traveling and state guests’ presents, Silk Mansion has welcomed successfully so many VIP such as head of state of Malaysian and his wife, president Clinton and his family.
Shanghai Museum
Although China has 5000 years of history, China’s museums are, mostly, much disappointing. Exhibits are badly lighted, the English information often a jumble of incomprehensible nouns. The Shanghai Museum, located on People’s Square, is a huge exception to standard. It is to much to digest it all in one go. Better is just to pick one section, for example calligraphy or jades or ceramics, and explore this to the bottom. Personally, I find the bronzes strangely fascinating; in fact, the shape of the museum itself mimics that of an ancient bronze cauldron.
Jin Mao Tower
Focus on the skyscrapers of Shanghai. For a good overview of the city, there is no better spot than the top of Jin Mao Tower in Pudong. Base to the Shanghai Hyatt, it is a great place to stay a few nights or just to visit for the spectacular view. The appropriately named Cloud 9 restaurant and bar sits on the top floor and claims the title of highest bar in the world.
In the center of the old town, just southwest of the Bund, the Yu Yuan Garden - Garden of Peace and Comfort - offers a peaceful escape from the fast pace of the city around it. With 30 pavilions and over 20.000 m2 this 16th century garden can be explored for days. Of the many temples and halls, the Grand Rockery is the most popular. Two thousand tons of rare yellow stones are combined with rice glue to form a massive sculpture that stands over 14 meters high.
Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe
This world-famous acrobatic group performs every night at the Shanghai Center Theatre showcasing their incredible talents. Balancing acts, contortionists, plate-spinning and complicated juggling are just a few of the many amazing acts in the two hour show.
Before you go on your business trip to Shanghai, China you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage. Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered. Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident. The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance. Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don’t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| Emergency numbers | Department | Phone |
| Police | Patrol | 110 |
| Traffic | 122 | |
| Medical | Privat | 999 |
| Public | 120 | |
| Fire | 119 |
In case of a medical emergency you can contact:
Portman Clinic - World Link
Shanghai Center 203 West 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
Shanghai 200040
Appointments: 6279-8678
Tel: 6279-7688
Chinese or the Sinitic language(s) is a language family consisting of languages mutually intelligible to varying degrees. About one-fifth of the world’s population, or over one billion people, speak some form of Chinese as their native language. The identification of the varieties of Chinese as "dialects" instead of "languages" is considered inappropriate by some linguists and Sinologists.
The standardized form of spoken Chinese is Standard Mandarin, based on the Beijing dialect, which is part of a larger group of North-Eastern and South-Western dialects, often taken as a separate language.
| Hello | 您好 (nín hǎo) / 喂(wéi) (on phone) |
| How are you? | 你好嗎? [你好吗] (nǐ hǎo ma) |
| I’m fine, thanks. And you? | 我很好，你呢？ (wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne) |
| My name is ... | 我姓 ... (wǒ xìng ...) |
| Pleased to meet you | 很高興認識你 [ 很高兴认识你] (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) |
| Good morning | 早安 (zǎoān) |
| Good afternoon | 午安 (wǔān) |
| Good evening | 晚安 (wǎnān) |
| Good night | 晚安 (wǎnān) |
| Goodbye | 再見 [再见] (zàijiàn) |
| Bon appetit | 請慢用 [请慢用] (qǐng màn yòng) |
| Cheers/Good health! | 乾杯! [干杯!] (gān bēi) |
| I don’t understand | 我聽不懂 [我听不懂] (wǒ tīngbùdǒng) |
| Please write it down | 麻煩你寫一下,好不好？ [麻烦你写一下，好不好？](Máfan nǐ xiě yīxià, hǎo bù hǎo?) |
| How do you say ... in Mandarin? | ... 中文怎麼說？ (... zhōngwén zěnme shuō) |
| Excuse me | 請問 [请问] qǐngwén - to attract attention |
| How much is this? | 這個多少錢? [这个多少钱?] (Zhège duōshǎo qián?) |
| Thank you | 謝謝 [谢谢] (xièxie) |
| You’re welcome | 感謝你 [感谢你] (gǎnxiè nǐ) |
| Where’s the toilet? | 洗手間哪裡？ [洗手间在哪里？] xǐshǒujiān zài nǎli? |
| Yes / No | 是(shì) / 否(fǒu) |
  |   |
The best time to apply for your Chinese visa is 1-2 months before your travel date. The validity of a Chinese visa can be anywhere from 3-24 months depending on the type of visa you request. Normally a single entry visa is valid for 3 months, a double entry visa for 6 months, a multiple entry visa for 6, 12 or 24 months. You have to enter China before the expiration date of the visa. From that moment you can stay for 30 (or more days, as specified on your visa).
The time you could actually stay in China, or "duration of stay after entry" is usually 30-90 days per entry. You must state the duration of your stay on the application form. Please be reminded that the Chinese Consulate has the final say on the on the number of days you receive for your visa regardless of your request.
When you travel between Hong Kong and the mainland multiple times you do need a multiple entry visa for that purpose. Each time you enter China from Hong Kong or Macao, you need one entry. Citizens of most countries in North America and Europe can visit Hong Kong and Macao without a visa. You can check if you have to apply for a visa on http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of application in order to get a visa. You can get a single or double entry visa if your passport expires in less than 12 months, but more than 6 months. You can only get a 12-month multiple entry visa if your passport is valid for at least 12 months.
When you are offered a job in China and want your spouse and children to accompany you they can get work visas as well. Their names need to appear on the supporting documents you receive from the Chinese employer. Or you can provide a copy of marriage license and the children’s birth certificates.
