The quality of air in China has become a hot topic in recent years.
It has been bad for some time – I remember being appalled when I first moved to Guangdong in 2002. It seemed that the whole of Guangdong was covered in a blanket of smog that lifted only once a week or so. Continue reading
Someone I know wrote this as part of their study and klindly agreed to let me pubish this here.
China has a unique business culture. Understanding the appropriate etiquette can be the key to getting things done and to be successful in business in China.
In China, business relationships are often formed through recommendations and personal relationships. This can make it hard for Westerners to get in contact with appropriate business contacts, unless they represent a very big company that everyone wants to do business with.
However, it is being more common for people to approach businesses directly, via the Internet, trade fairs, catalogues and brochures, advertisements, etc.
Business relationships in China are often based on personal or social relationships. If you form a business relationship with people you don’t know, expect the relationship to become social. You’ll eat with them, drink with them and sing with them!
The more you share about your personal life, the closer your business relationship will be. The decision to do, or continue doing business, with you is often based on the other party’s personal view of you rather than the numbers in a business case.
This is in contrast to Western business relationships which often remain professional and slightly detached, even after a long time.
An extension of this is the concept of Guanxi, which is the cornerstone of doing business in China. It can be hard to describe all the elements of Guanxi, but it is essentially to do with having good connections and getting things done through these relationships. For example, Person A needs something, so they get one of their connections, Person B, to call in a favour with Person C, who can actually influence the outcome.
The Chinese normally greet each other with a nod. They do usually shake hands with Westerners, but remember this is not their normal way of greeting people. Don’t judge someone if their handshake is not firm or they don’t make eye contact.
Names are very important to the Chinese and you need to establish how to address someone during your first meeting.
Chinese surnames come before the given name, eg surname firstnames. However, at first you are likely to address your Chinese business partners using their surname, followed by their title or designation, such as in the following examples:
Paying respect to senior leaders is very important, so addressing people by their designation, as in the last two examples above, is common and often important.
Face is an important concept in China. Giving face means to show the proper respect to someone. Loss of face occurs when someone is not shown the appropriate respect or when they are embarrassed.
It’s very important to avoid embarrassing someone. If they have made a mistake or if their negotiating position becomes untenable, make sure that they have an option they can take which lets them ‘save face’ or avoid embarrassment. Do not make them admit to their mistake or to back down from their position.
The ‘rules’ around the appropriate level of respect required can be quite complicated. For example, how expensive should a gift be for a prospective business partner? This may be different in different circumstances.
It’s easier to understand face from a comparative point of view: giving the most respect to the most senior person. For example, if giving gifts, make sure that senior managers receive better gifts than those less senior to them.
Although paying respect occurs in the West, there is far more emphasis placed on this in China. For example, on meeting the CEO of a Western company, it would often be acceptable to address them by their given name. This would result in a loss of face for a Chinese CEO, who would expect to be addressed by his surname and designation, as outlined above, as a mark of respect.
Exchanging business cards has become a ritual in China.
Business cards are normally exchanged at the beginning of business meetings.
Two hands are used when exchanging cards, both when giving and receiving. The card should be facing the person receiving it. When you receive a card, you should take some time to examine it, as this shows respect for the giver.
Seniority is very important in China, so you must give your name card to the most senior person first, then hand them out in order of seniority. Failure to do this will cause a loss of face for any senior people who are bypassed in their normal order.
Have a plentiful supply of cards as you’ll probably give out many more than you expect.
Giving gifts is often a part of doing business in China and is an important part of building relationships. However, it can be tricky to buy appropriate gifts.
Gifts are often measured by their value. The more expensive the gift, the more face given to the receiver and the greater the benefits to the business relationship. Cheaper gifts, even those with novelty value, are not likely to be well received, although the receiver is unlikely to give any indication when receiving it.
However, there is increasing focus on corruption and bribery in China, so the value of gifts should not be unreasonably high, in case it causes questions around the motives for the gift.
Also note that as mentioned above, senior managers should be given better gifts than those less senior to them. As with business cards, gifts should be exchanged using two hands.
There are some things to avoid when giving gifts:
You should follow normal conventions for common courtesy:
Most Chinese businessmen know some English, but they are unlikely to be fluent, so speak slowly, use simple language and short sentences if possible.
If you can, learn a few words of Chinese. As well as being a good ice-breaker, it shows the Chinese party that you respect them and their culture. They are likely to appreciate the effort.
It’s a good idea to have an interpreter if you can. Ideally this should be someone you can trust, who understands what you are trying to achieve and who can also help you negotiate cultural differences and the subtleties of doing business in China. However, you should talk directly to the host rather than the interpreter.
There are cultural differences. The Chinese representative may pause to consider things properly before speaking, resulting in gaps in the conversation. They may also not give an immediate reaction to what you are saying, but rather consolidate their thoughts before responding. Be patient.
Modesty is considered a virtue in China. People don’t like others who show off or boast about things – this is considered to be rude. Conversely, putting yourself down actually increases your standing in Chinese people’s eyes.
Expect Chinese people to pay you compliments, but be modest and deny them. Make sure you pay plenty of compliments in return.
You should never say “no” to a request directly. To do so would result in a loss of face for the other party. Instead, try to find an indirect way to say it, or to defer the decision to another time, such as “I will have to look into that” or “we can probably do that sometime soon”. Avoidance is a key technique in negotiations involving the Chinese.
Keep in mind that if the other party is telling you they need to look into something or are vague on when something may happen, they may actually be saying no to you. There are many stories of Western companies being told something will happen soon, without it ever materialising. This may have been the Chinese party trying to spare their feelings by redirecting the topic rather than give them a straight “no”.
Of course, if they say they need to look into something or that something will happen soon, they may actually mean that – there is no way to tell!
Similarly, the Chinese representatives may say “yes” when they don’t mean it. It may be they are showing that they are listening or that they understand what you are saying. It may even be that they don’t want you to lose face by disagreeing with you publicly. Just because they are saying yes does not mean that they are agreeing to your terms.
You will find that people don’t want to rush straight into negotiations. They will want to get to know you first. You will need to make small talk with them.
It’s best not to discuss politics or religion, as you may offend someone. Similarly, it is best to avoid telling jokes as humour doesn’t translate well and you are likely to just confuse people.
It’s better to discuss neutral topics such as what you should see while you are in China, what you should eat, or sport – the NBA and soccer are popular.
You may also find that people have questions for you. Don’t be surprised if they are very direct and ask your relationship status, if you have children, etc.
As mentioned above, business is often more about relationships than it is about numbers in a business case.
As a result, doing business in China almost always involves lunch and/or dinner at a restaurant. It is said that more business is done over the dining table than over than over the boardroom table.
The restaurant will normally be on the expensive end of the scale (for China) and you will often eat in a private room. Seating arrangements are important, so defer to the Chinese party when deciding where to sit.
There will normally be many dishes, which are shared by all. It is polite to try every dish. You should always leave something on your plate at the end, to indicate that you have eaten your fill. Sometimes your host may serve food into your bowl and it can be a good move to do the same for your host if you can do so comfortably.
The host (whoever arranged the dinner, which may be you) normally pays, although it can be good to make a token attempt to pay. Fighting to pay shows your generosity.
Inevitably, dinner will involve drinking with your hosts.
There will almost certainly be alcohol at a business lunch or dinner.
This is often baijiu, Chinese wine, which is stronger than Western spirits. It can have an alcohol concentration level of up to 80%! Beer is relatively common and you sometimes encounter red wine, but toasting will normally be done using baijiu.
Drinking is done through toasts, where the host say ganbei. This literally means ‘dry glass’ and you are expected to finish the glass, which is normally the size of 3 to 4 shot glasses. Be careful! It is easy to be ‘toasted’ into submission.
It is often seen as rude to not drink with your hosts. However, it is better to not drink at all, than to drink only a little then stop.
If you say you can only drink a little, this will be taken as modesty, and they will assume that you really can drink a lot. If you start drinking, then stop after a few drinks, this will be considered to be very rude. Reasons which would be valid in the West, such as having to work tomorrow, are not acceptable.
The best solution is to say that you cannot drink (wo bu hui he). Alternatively, you can bring a partner who can drink on your behalf.
Smoking is very common in China and it is a ritual for men to share a smoke after a meal. You should let them smoke if they want to. Refusing to participate is less rude than refusing a drink, just say wo bu hui chou (I can’t smoke).
This post was first published on October 6, 2007, on my web development blog.
After 4 months of blogging, I had my first enforced break and have been away from my computer for 5 days. I didn’t really miss it much – a few pangs now and then, some minor guilt about people expecting replies to comments, but mostly I just really enjoyed being with my family.
This is just a brief announcement that job listings are now live on the site. Any employers wanting to post jobs can now do so for free, using our Post Jobs page.
Although I originally bought the jobsinchina.com domain to build a job listing site, for various reasons that plan was abandoned. The site launched as blog in January 2008, when I was living in China and wanted to write about my experiences living there.
By November 2009, I’d hooked up with NewChinaCareer and they provided job listings on this site, right through to November 2010, when their site disappeared without warning.
Since November 2010, there haven’t been any new jobs listed on Jobs In China, a situation I wanted to rectify. I therefore went ahead and created the ability for jobs to be listed directly on the site, no third parties needed.
I have some big plans for the functionality, using the latest features of WordPress – but first things first. I need to get employers to start posting jobs here. I have a steady stream of people looking for jobs, but not many posting jobs (actually none at the time of writing!).
So over the next few weeks, I hope to get in touch with some employers and get them to start using the site, so that it can finally become what I wanted it to be when I registered the domain all the way back in 2004: A place to put employers and job seekers in touch.
I said way back in December that expats are better off looking for a job in China than they would be back in their home lands. That obviously still holds true as the Huffington Post has just written an article titled Young Americans Going To China For Jobs.
Image Source: Dragon Boat Racing by Mr WabuLicense
This is another post I wrote a little while ago and haven’t posted until now.
China’s Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) occurs on 5th May on the Lunar calendar. This equates to the following dates on the Western calendar:
As the name of the Festival indicates, it’s famous for Dragon Boat racing! People also eat zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) and drink baijiu (Chinese wine) during this holiday. Continue reading
this is a public university in Nanchang city,capital of Jiangxi province .we are recruiting several Esl teachers on September2013,if you are interested at this position,please don’t hesitate email your resume and materials to jobsinchina@163.com, with the subject line teaching position NO.59, Please attach appropriate documents and information lists at the bottom.
Teaching condition: 1/Salary is RMBSalary is RMB BA RMB5700/M +RMB300 ; MA RMB6000M+RMB300
2/work schedule : Usually16-18classes per week(40minutes)
3/ Student level: university students
4/provide Washing machine,Internet connection , Television, Hot water supply,Winter heating, Air conditioning, Telephone, Microwave, Refrigerator all provided
5/ provide roundtrip flight tickets allowance :10000RMB
6/ provide 2200yuan travel allowance for one year contract 6/provide 400yuan medical insurance
7/provide working visa,residence permit,free airport-pick up
Requirements /Start date : September2013 1) Native English speakers from USA,UK,Australia,Canada and New Zealand ,Ireland 2 No more than 55years old 3) Education: 4-year University/College degree or higher are desired
4) at least 2-year experiences of teaching English teacher must have a Tefl certificate if your highest degree is bachelor
5)). post your all documents (include resume, Copy of the first page of your passport. Copy of your highest degree and teaching certificates, if any. One recent color photo of yours.)
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
a Public University in Taizhou seaside city ,Zhejiang province . we are recruiting Two ESL teacher on September2013,if you are interested at this position,please don’t hesitate email your resume and materials to jobsinchina@163.com, with the subject line teaching position NO.48, Please attach appropriate documents and information lists at the bottom.
Teaching condition:
1/Salary is RMB 5500 for bachelor degree,6000RMB for master degree,6500RMB for PHD
2/work schedule : Usually 16 lessons per week
3/ Student level: University students
4/Party A shall provide Party B with a furnished apartment with a kitchen,a washing-room (which includes a toilet, a sink, a shower, a bath tube, a washing-machine, and a heated machine), some furniture, bedding, a TV set, a refrigerator and air- conditioners, a water dispenser, microwave, gas range,gas container, computer and internet.
5/Party B gets RMB9,000 Yuan of airfare subsidy for one year contract, half of the airfare subsidy (RMB4,500 Yuan) will be paid at the end of the first term and the other half will be paid at the end of the
contract.
6/traveling allowance RMB2,500 Yuan for one year contract, half of the traveling allowance (RMB1,250 Yuan) will be paid at the end of the first term and the other half will be paid at the end of the contract.
7/provide full salary on winter and Summer holiday
8/ Party A will offer water allowance of RMB 200.00 Yuan per month to Party B.
Requirements
/Start date : September2013
1) Native English speakers from USA,UK,Australia,Canada and New Zealand ,Ireland
2 )23-60 years old
3) Education:Bachelor degree or above
4) at least 2-year experiences of teaching English
5). post your all documents (include resume, Copy of the first page of your passport.
Copy of your highest degree and teaching certificates, if
any. One recent color photo of yours.)
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
An excellent teaching opportunity in a High School in Shandong province,Shangluo city is available for teachers to start immediately.The salary is 7000-7500RMB per month for about 20 working hours per week. weekends off. You will have half month probation at the beginning, and the salary is 6500 in the frist month.The students are primary to middle students; there may be the option of preference subject to availability at the time of interview.This school will provided you furnish accommodation. And school will provided 3000RMB reimbursement to help you get F visa after you finished your 1 year contract. If you’ve already applied with Find Work Abroad, you can quickly apply again with us without having to send your documents again!Please apply quickly in order to avoid disappointment
Salary: 7000-7500RMB /Month
Accommodation: yes (proviced)
Contract term: 1-year
Type: Full time
Latest start date: Sunday 16th of June 2013
Requirements:
- Teaching experience
- Degree in any field
- British, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish, Germany, Italy, Russia or Ukraine. Passport holders
To Apply:
Click Here: Apply online for this job – http://www.findworkabroad.com/signup/3091
Alternatively, send your CV/Resume, passport and photo to:
Tel: +86-20-37303381 Email: apply@findworkabroad.com, Skype: findworkabroad2
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
this is a Public College in Fuzhou city ,capital of Fujian province . we are recruiting two ESL teacher on September2013,if you are interested at this position,please don’t hesitate email your resume and materials to jobsinchina@163.com, with the subject line teaching position NO.205, Please attach appropriate documents and information lists at the bottom. Teaching condition:
1/Salary is RMB 6000 yuan per month
2/work schedule : Usually 12-14teaching hours per week
3/ Student level: University students
4/provide offer free accommodation to the foreign teacher. Including 24-houir hot and cold water supply, 24-hour electricity and heating. TV set, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, kitchen and kitchen equipment, furniture, private international phone call system, access to Internet, and other necessities.
5/provide Round Way airticket(recent countries),single way airticket (far away countries) for one year contract
6/Provide 4000RMB travel allowance
Requirements
/Start date : September2013
1) Native English speakers from USA,UK,Australia,Canada and New Zealand ,Ireland
2 )23-60 years old,
3) Education:Bachelor degree or above
4) at least 2-year experiences of teaching English
5). post your all documents (include resume, Copy of the first page of your passport. Copy of your highest degree and teaching certificates, if any. One recent color photo of yours.)
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
a kindergarten to high school in Shenzhen city ,Guangdong province . we are recruiting several Esl teachers on September2013,if you are interested at this position,please don’t hesitate email your resume and materials to jobsinchina@163.com, with the subject line teaching position NO.203, Please attach appropriate documents and information lists at the bottom.
Teaching condition:
1/Salary is RMB 8000-15000yuan.
2/work schedule : Usually 16-20teaching hours per week
3/ Student level: kindergarten to high students
4/provide offer free accommodation to the foreign teacher. Including 24-houir hot and cold water supply, 24-hour electricity and heating. TV set, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, kitchen and kitchen equipment, furniture, private international phone call system, access to Internet, and other necessities.
5/provide round way airticket for one year contract
6/provide 2200rmb travel allowance for one year contract
Requirements
/Start date : September2013
1) Native English speakers from USA,UK,Australia,Canada and New Zealand ,Ireland,
2 )23-60 years old,
3) Education:Bachelor degree or above
4) at least 2-year experiences of teaching English
5). post your all documents (include resume, Copy of the first page of your passport.
Copy of your highest degree and teaching certificates, if
any. One recent color photo of yours.)
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
Sep,2013-High school teaching in Si chuan province~!
Location:Mei shan(眉山),Xin du（新都）,Nan chong（南充）,Yi bin（宜宾）,Pan zhi hua（攀枝花）, Sui ning（遂宁
）
Opening:6,starting from Sep，2013
Student age:15-18
Workload:20 classes/week,Monday to Friday working, No office hour
Salary:6000 RMB+Free accommodation, airticket allowance provided
WORKING VISA PROVIDED
Requirement: Native English speaker with BA degree+Teaching certificate,related teaching experience required
Mail:esljob2005@gmail.com(Plz note name of school when apply)
Tel:027-87609439
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
This is an excellent opportunity in Panyu, Guangzhou city, located near Hanxichanglong metro station they are looking for experienced ESL teachers to teach their students age from 3-12 year-old. Qualified candidates should be native English speakers with experience in teaching young learners, currently having a valid visa in China.This school is offering up to 14000RMB per month for excellent candidates, the school provided 12000RMB per month for the others Native English speakers. And the frist month you will get 10000RMB for probation.Other benefits will be included in the employment contract. You will be required to work 40 hours per week as standard. Most of the classes will be scheduled on weekends. Working in the office to prepare lesions and to write reports from Wednesday to Friday, some classes in the evenings may be required. Monday and Tuesday are fixed days off.Accommodation is not provided , same as working visa. They are looking for candidates to start immediately.
Salary: 12000-14000RMB /Month
Accommodation: Not provide
Contract term: 1-year
Type: Full time
Latest start date: Sunday 16th of June 2013
Requirements:
- Teaching experience
- Degree in any field
- British, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealandirish, South African, South American, European or Russian Passport holders
To Apply:
Click Here: Apply online for this job – http://www.findworkabroad.com/signup/3017
Alternatively, send your CV/Resume, passport and photo to:
Tel: +86-20-37303381 Email: apply@findworkabroad.com, Skype: findworkabroad2
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
Sitting in the central south of vast North China Plain,Shijiazhuang City is located at the longitude of 11429′E, and the latitude of 3804′N. Shijiazhuang City was called the Nation Capital’s Suburbsin the old times. A new teaching opportunity with training center to teach adults in shijiazhuang, Hebei province is looking for 4 teachers to start immediately. The teaching schedule is no more than 25hours per week ,two days off during the week. the students are aged from 20-40 years old.The salary is range from 6500-8500rmb per month plus 1200rmb house alllowance per month ,and you will get 6000rmb flight allowance after you accomplished your one year contract. and they can provide you the accident insurance.Qualified candidates must be BA degree holders with experiences in teaching. You need to come from an English speaking country including UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia . This school will process a working Visa for you. And we are looking for teachers able to commit to a 1 year contract. The school will provided you 6000RMB flight allowance for you after you work there one year. Accommodation is not provided, but school can help you to find an apartment. This center is a very well-know established center across China and offers a reliable and enjoyable work environment.If you’ve already applied with Find Work Abroad, you can quickly apply again with us without having to send your documents again! Please apply quickly in order to avoid disappointment
Salary: 6500-8500RMB /Month
Accommodation: yes (proviced)
Contract term: 1-year
Type: Full time
Latest start date: Monday 17th of June 2013
Requirements:
- Teaching experience
- Degree in any field
- British, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish or South African Passport holders
To Apply:
Click Here: Apply online for this job – http://www.findworkabroad.com/signup/2989
Alternatively, send your CV/Resume, passport and photo to:
Tel: +86-20-37303381 Email: apply@findworkabroad.com, Skype: findworkabroad2
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
A beautiful training center in a warm, welcoming environment is offering a great teaching opportunity, salary is 10,000-13,000RMB /Month .Teachers should provide all the correct documents for this application.School will provide teaching material to all the foreign teachers.At the beginning you will get 1-2 month probation,the salary is 10000 for teaching 15 hours per week. After the probation your basic salary is 12000-13000RMB per month for 18-24 teaching hours per week.The teaching hours from Monday to Friday is 5pm- 9pm. At the weekends you have to work all day. However this may be flexible according to the student’s schedules. Thus this position will require the teacher to have some flexibility with regard to their working hours.Student’s Age is 5-12 years old.This school is located in Luohu District.They will process a working visa should all the correct documents be held.
Salary: 10000-13000RMB /Month
Accommodation: help to find an apartment
Contract term: 1-year
Type: Full time
Latest start date: Monday 17th of June 2013
Requirements:
- Teaching experience
- Degree in any field
- British, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand or Irish Passport holders
To Apply:
Click Here: Apply online for this job – http://www.findworkabroad.com/signup/2939
Alternatively, send your CV/Resume, passport and photo to:
Tel: +86-20-37303381 Email: apply@findworkabroad.com, Skype: findworkabroad2
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.
Aug,2013-American teacher needed in an International school in Shen yang-11000 RMB per month!
Location:Shen yang city, he ping district(和平区)
Opening: 3 ,starting from Aug 1st,2013
Requirement: Teachers from America with BA degree+Teaching certificate,related teaching experience required
Student age:6-8
Workload:20 classes teaching+office hour, Monday to Friday working
Salary:11000 RMB+Free accommodation, One way airticket,other bonus will be discussed while interview
WORKING VISA PROVIDED
Mail:esljob2005@gmail.com(Plz note Shen yang International school when apply)
Tel:027-87609439
Wait! If this job isn’t suitable for you, check out the other jobs in the teaching jobs category. Alternatively, you may find a professional job more to your liking.
Disclaimer: This job listing has been submitted by an external company. JobsInChina.com does not accept liability for any issues arising out of your use of this service.