IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL A. Business Customs Names: In China, the family or surname is placed first, thus Li Da Ming is addressed as Mr. Li. Business Cards: It is customary to present and receive business cards at business meetings. It is helpful if one side of the business card is printed in Chinese characters. Meetings: Meetings with Chinese government organizations and most Chinese corporations are held in conference or meeting rooms, rarely in the official's own office, and tend to be quite formal. Seating usually follows protocol. The senior Chinese host will usually seat the senior foreign guest to his right, with members of the foreign party arrayed along one side of the room, and the Chinese party on the other. Punctuality is expected in meetings. A group will enter the meeting room in protocol order, led by the senior guest, and will be greeted by the senior Chinese host. Business meetings typical open with a brief statement of welcome and purpose and introductions, to be reciprocated by the guests' side. It is customary, especially in early meetings, for one side to present each of its key points in succession, and for the other side to respond only after all the points have been presented. Following this, a more unstructured exchange may take place. Banquets: Small dinners and large banquets are all a very common aspect of doing business in China. Chinese-hosted dinners usually start early -- six o'clock is common -- and conclude, somewhat abruptly, usually before eight p.m., shortly after the fruit dish. The senior host is seated (usually at a round table) facing the entrance to the room, with the senior guest seated to his right, and the second guest to the host's left. The co-host is seated across the table from the host. At the conclusion, the guests will all file out. Appointments: Business appointments (when made directly, rather than through a middleman or host organization) are usually made through the Foreign Affairs Office (or Office of Foreign Cooperation) that virtually every organization has. (The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, for a modest fee, offers an appointments service, called the "Gold Key" service. Inquire at local Commerce Department District offices for information.) Host Organizations: It is still very common for business travelers to have a "host organization" for their visit. While is no longer absolutely necessary, as it once was, to have a host organization, a host can assist with appointments and provide letters of invitation to facilitate applications for a business visa (see "Passport and Visa Requirements", below). Of course, the business counterpart -- if one is already identified -- would commonly be the host organization. For companies with no existing business relationships, however, there is no problem in coming to China with no host organization and develop contacts in-country. (No letter of invitation is required for a tourist visa, which most business people use for initial visits.) For companies wishing to have a host organization, however, contacts can usually be arranged through the commercial section of the Chinese embassy or consulates in the United States. One should be aware that a host organization may likely have its own agenda, and is likely to steer visitors toward its own objectives, frequently claiming the "exclusive" authority to conduct a particular line of business. Claims of such exclusivity should be treated with skepticism. For high-level executive visits, it is possible to retain the services of an organization set up under the auspices of the central government, the China People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), to arrange high-level government meetings. CPAFFC is headed by former Ambassador to the United States Han Xu; contact the American and Oceanian Division, Attention Mr. Su Guang, fax number 86-1-512-8354. B. Travel Advisory and Visas Travel to China: United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Air China (CAAC) fly to China from the United States. Connecting flights from Hong Kong or through Narita Airport in Japan are normally necessary when traveling from the United States. These flights arrive daily in two major international airports (Beijing and Shanghai). From Hong Kong, there are air, rail, and ferry connections to many Chinese cities. International hotels in major cities now accept reservations, but bookings at Chinese hotels are usually confirmed only a short time before arrival. Passport and Visa Requirements: All American citizens are required to have a valid passport and visa for entry into China. Visas are not available at the airport, but may be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Washington or Chinese consulates in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. For a tourist visa, a complete visa application, a current passport photograph, a valid passport, and a copy of a round-trip air ticket must be submitted. Families or groups travelling on one passport need submit only one application, but a photograph of all those travelling on the passport must be supplied. For a business visa, a letter from a U.S. company stating the purpose of the visit, or a letter of invitation from a Chinese organization, and a copy of the round-trip ticket also are required. Most business visitors, however, especially for initial visits, enter on tourist visas, and do not require a letter of invitation. Visas on U.S. passports are issued for a fee (ranging from $20 - $50 depending on the type of visa), and applications by mail must also include the express return mail. Chinese tourist visas can also be obtained, usually within twenty-four hours, in Hong Kong. Application can usually be handled by local travel agents, offices of the China International Travel Service, or the Chinese Visa office located in the China Resources Building. Tourist visas, restricted for use in the border areas of Shenzhen (adjacent to Hong Kong) or Zhuhai (adjacent to Macao), can be obtained at the border. C. Business Hours and Holidays Business Hours: The normal commercial week in China is from Monday through Friday, 8 AM to Noon and 1 (or 2) to 5 PM; Saturday, 8 AM to Noon, every other Saturday. (Most government offices close by 4:30 P.M.) China is normally 13 hours ahead of standard East Coast Time. When the United States is on daylight savings time, China is 12 hours ahead of East Coast Time. China is a single time zone. Holidays: The following are Chinese and American holidays observed by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China in 1994: January 1 New Year's Day January 17 M. L. King's Birthday February 10-12 Spring Festival February 21 President's Day May 1 International Labor Day May 30 Memorial Day July 4 Independence Day September 5 Labor Day October 1 & 2 Chinese National Day October 10 Columbus Day November 11 Veterans Day November 24 Thanksgiving Day December 26 Christmas - Observed D. Business Infrastructure Transportation: Domestic airline travel is often difficult to book, and sometimes unreliable. Travel by rail is reliable but slow and often crowded and difficult to book. Secondary or return reservations cannot be made at the point of departure, and any reservations made through a travel agent before departure from the United States or by a Chinese host organization must be reconfirmed, frequently in person, at the intermediate stop. Despite these difficulties, travel permits previously issued by the Public Security Bureau are no longer required for travel to most destinations of interest to foreign business people. Currency Exchange: On arrival, travelers may convert foreign currency to the local currency, renminbi (RMB). Unused RMB may be converted to foreign currency when departing China. The RMB yuan is inconvertible and may not be exported. Most transactions are in cash, though the major international credit cards are accepted in a growing number of locations, including most international class hotels and restaurants. Traveler's checks are readily converted at Bank of China or CITIC Industrial Bank offices, hotel, and large tourist shops. Personal checks normally are not accepted, but American Express offers card members check cashing services, though selected Bank of China and CITIC Industrial Bank Branches in China. Travelers may contact the American Express representative Office in Beijing at World Trade Tower #2702, Tel: 505-2639/505- 4407, for more information. Telephones/Fax: The country's telephone system under going very rapid development, and service quality spans a very wide range, from state-of-the-art digital exchanges and cellular systems to the woefully outdated older parts of the system. Generally, in major cities, the new digital exchanges provide good local service as well as high quality international phone and fax service. Domestic long distance is available and, again, is of varying quality; transmission quality is often poor and service unreliable. AT&T, Sprint and MCI offer direct-dialing programs to the U.S. There is still a shortage of telephone lines. It can take up to one year to obtain a new telephone connection. Both paging services and cellular phones are available. However, because of inconsistency in the frequencies used between large cities, roaming service is not available. Office Facilities: As of mid-1994, office space in the major commercial cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) is very tight, and rents continue to increase. In general, office rent in these major cities is comparable to New York and a bit lower than Hong Kong. Hiring a local firm to locate office facilities is a good option. Housing: Most expat managers in the major commercial cities live in relatively high quality expat housing projects or compounds. Such expat housing, like office space, is currently (mid-1994) in short supply. Monthly rent in the range of US$4,000 to US$10,000 should be expected for executive quarters in Beijing. There are also a range of residential hotels available to expats. Increasingly, some of the newer apartment buildings in "Chinese neighborhoods" will cater to both foreigners, overseas Chinese and wealthier local Chinese. Some apartments in this category, located outside of foreign "ghettos," are renting for under $1,000 per month. Food: China has a long and legendary culinary tradition. Restaurants, with a bewildering variety of food are plentiful. The temptation to sample everything may well be overwhelming. Nevertheless, some measure of caution is in order. Generally, the large international hotel restaurants are safe and they provide potable water. In local restaurants, one should eat only cooked food. Greater caution should be exercised at street-side stands and night markets. The municipal water supply is not suitable for drinking. Unless in a major hotel, one should consume only boiled or distilled water or other substitutes. Health: While there are a number of western doctors in Beijing, often attached to specific embassies, and also works in western clinics, the city does not have the variety of facilities available in the west. Health insurance coverage should include emergency evacuations. More serious or complicated medical cases are often handled in Hong Kong through referrals from western doctors. Hospitals and Medical Clinics International Medical Center Lufthansa Center, Office Apartment Building, Room 106 50 Liangmaqiao Lu Tel: 465-1563, 465-1561 Fax: 465-1984 Emergency trauma room, ambulance, outpatient services, western doctors available. Hours: member 24 hours, non- members 0900 to 1700, Monday through Friday. Sino-German Policlinic Landmark Tower, B-1 8 Dongsanhuan Road Tel: 501-1983, 501-6688 ext. 20903 Outpatient services only, Western doctors available, 24 hours. Beijing Capital Hospital 53 Dongdanbei Dajie Dongchen District Foreign Emergency Clinic, 6th Floor Tel: 512-7733 ext 556 Hours: Monday-Friday: 0800-1130, 1330-1630 Saturday: 0800-1130, 1300-1500. Closed Wednesday afternoons and sundays. Emergency room entrance: 1 Shuaifuyuan Hutong, behind the hospital. Tel: 512-7733 ext. 217. 24 hours. Sino-Japanese Hospital (Foreigners Clinic) Hepingjie Beikou Tel: 422-2951, 422-1122 ext 3411 Hours Monday-Friday: 0800-1130, 1300-1630 Saturday: 0800-1130, 1300-1600 Closed Wednesday afternoons and Sundays. Friendship Hospital 95 Yongan lu, Xuanwu District Tel: 301-4411 ext. 441, 442 Hours: Monday-Saturday: 0800-1130, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 1330-1700 Dental Clinics Stomatology Hospital of Beijing medical University Weigongcun Baishiqiaolu, Haidian District Tel: 832-9977, ask for Dr. Wang Sino-German Poly Clinic Landmark Tower B-1 8 Dongsanhuan Lu Tel; 501-1983, 501-6688 ext. 20903 By appointment, Singaporean dentist available. Capital Hospital 53 Dongdanbei Dajie 6th Floor Tel: 512-7733 ext. 556 Sino-Japanese Hospital Hepingjie Beikou Tel: 422-2951, 422-1122 ext. 3411 Jennifer Talford Dental Therapist and Children's Dentist Australian trained. Tel: 401-1330, by appointment Hong Kong International Medical Clinic 3rd Floor Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong Macao Center 2 Chaoyangmenbei Dajie Tel: 501-2288 ext. 2346 Fax: 500-4660 Hours: 0900-2100, Monday to Saturday Optical Services Vita Optical Company China World West Wing Office Building Lower Basement Hours: Monday-Friday, 0930-2030 Pharmacies Stocking "Western" Medicines Wangfujing Medicine Shop 267 Wangfujing Tel: 55-2322 Dongdan Medicine Shop 97 Dongdan Beidajie Tel: 55-1904 Sino-German Policlinic Landmark Tower B-1 8 Dongsanhuan Road Tel: 501-1983, 501-6688 ext. 20903 International Medical Center Lufthansa Center Office And Apartment Building Room 106 50 Liangmaqiao Lu Tel; 465-1563, 465-1561 24 hours emergency service. Stores Stocking Non-prescription Western Medicines Watsons The Palace Hotel Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing In the basement, hours: 0900-2200 Lido market Holiday Inn Lido Jiangtai Road Turn to Jichang Road for the commercial entrance to the hotel Hours: 0830-21-- daily. Wellcome Supermarket China World Trade Center 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie Basement, Hours 0900-2100 daily. Schools: There are international schools in Beijing ranging from preschool to secondary school, but they often have long waiting lists. Some schools give a priority to children of the founding nationalities or to diplomats' children. Applications for enrollment in school of choice should be filed well in advance. Nursery and Pre-schools Lido Kindergarten (starting age 1 1/2) Jiangtai Road, Beijing Behind the Holiday Inn Lido, Tel: 437-6688 ext. 1641 Language: English The Montessori School of Beijing (ages 2-7) Lufthansa Center Ground Floor, Apartment Building Tel: 465-2021 Language: English The Children's House (Montessori) (ages 3-5) China World Trade Center South Lodge, Ground Floor Tel: 5052288 ext. 1299 Language: English East Lake Villas Preschool Apartments Tel; 4678221 ext. 219 Language: English Rainbow School (Ages 2-5) San Li Tun Diplomatic Compound Tel: 532-5280 Language: English (Very Limited Admissions) Beijing Number One Kindergarten (ages 3-6) Wangzhimao Hutong (Near Hong Kong Macao Center) Tel: 44-1851 Language: Chinese Beihai You'er Yuan (ages 3-6) 22 Di'anmen Xi Dajie (next to Beihai Park) Tel: 44-2575 Language: Chinese Elementary and Secondary Schools Fang Cao Di Primary School 1 Fang Cao Di (north of Ritan Park) Tel: 509-4328 Language: Chinese (and English as a second language) Shijia Hutong Elementary School 5 Shijia Hutong, Dongcheng District Tel: 55-2762 Language: Chinese International School of Beijing Jiangtai Road, Lido Hotel Complex Tel; 437-7119 Language: English New School of Collaborative Learning (K - 8th) Shangdi West Road, Haidian Beijing 100085 Tel: Stephanie Tansey, 532-4296 Language: English and Chinese Western Academy of Beijing North Grounds, Beijing Textile Machinery Plant (W. of Airport Expressway, N. of 4th Ring Road) Tel: Sabrina Brady, O: 512-5627/H: 841-2898; Michael Crook, 501-1365 Language: English French School (Elementary and Secondary) French Cultural Center 13 Dongsanjie, Sanlitun Tel: 532-3498 Language: French Japanese School (Elementary and Secondary) Jiangtai Road, Behind Holiday Inn Lido Complex Tel: 437-2571 Language: Japanese German School (Elementary and Secondary) Jiangtai Road, Holiday Inn Lido Tel: 437-2571 Language: German Number 55 Middle School (Elementary and Secondary) 12 Xinzhongjie (North of Workers Stadium) Tel: 467-1356 Language: Chinese Pakistan School Pakistan Embassy Compound 1 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Tel: 532-1905 None of the schools listed is equipped to handle anything but extremely mild learning dysfunctions. Extra services such as counseling or special needs teachers are sporadically available and often non- existent. Tutors for extra-curricular language, music, dance, sports, art, or other special teachers are best found through word of mouth referrals from schools,advertising or supermarket bulletin boards. There are highly qualified Chinese specialists and academics, but not all of them speak a second language.