Business & Personal Relations In China Podcast
SupChina recently released a podcast with host Chris Marquis featuring Robert Fisch as his guest. Robert is a master storyteller and he draws on his diverse experiences in China to illustrate some key principles that businesses can learn from, such as the importance of personal relations and the human touch when doing business in China. And he also provides some very practical advice on many topics from setting up a wholly foreign-owned entity (WFOE) to how business in China has shifted in the COVID era.
What is an Internet Content Provider License?
First, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of Internet Content Provider (ICP) licensing. What is it?
An ICP license is an essential prerequisite for attracting customers in the Chinese mainland. As we have written before, it is a registration issued by the state that allows legal operation of China-based websites to legally operate in the country.
In order to establish and expand your business globally, especially to China, one must consider the necessary steps to file for a separate legal entities, as well as consolidating electronic commerce, so that your business will thrive- not only are these steps to getting an ICP License encouraged, but it is also requirement in order to officially set up your site in China. The only possible exception to this is if your site is not accommodated in mainland China.
WeChat: What is it and Why is it so Popular in China?
WeChat. It allows Chinese people to make payments, install other apps, and even write micro-blogs. Despite its popularity in the Chinese mainland, it is not often used in other countries for privacy issues. However, let’s get started with the fundamental question:
What is WeChat?
WeChat (微信) is a Chinese multi-purpose app developed by Tencent. First released in 2011, it has become the most popular app in China due to its numerous functions, despite it initially only sending instant messages. Why did WeChat grow so rapidly in popularity? The answer is simple: as an all-inclusive app which has no competition in mainland China, WeChat is the dream of every developer. WeChat’s ubiquity in Chinese society makes it a necessity for anyone even visiting for a short time, so make sure to download the app once you’re in China, otherwise you might not even be able to pay a taxi driver.
How To Open a Bank Account in China
Planning to operate a wholly foreign-owned enterprise business in China, whether it be a small business, a global company, or even a Fortune 500 company, can be fairly effortful. It is essential to take all the precautions needed to for your business to be successfully established. Once you acquire a business license, there are more steps to be taken further, such as, opening a bank account in China, to assist your business affairs. Although this step is necessary and can sound simple, opening an account in China can be challenging, especially recently, as the regulations became more stringent.
As of April 2020, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) have made it obligatory to follow high level of analysis during the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Because of this, the PBOC have ordered that all banks not only to oversee business activities, including financial transactions, but also to induct a few other conditions such as investigating your other bank accounts in addition to dormant accounts, seek capital transitions, examine times of transactions as well as suspicious or abnormal activities, restrict pay outs and limit online banking transactions.
China’s Digital Market: How it Combats the Economic Consequences of the Coronavirus
Even before the surge of Coronavirus cases and the world going into lock down, the digital market in China has been on the rise, and more dynamically than most nations around the world. Such systematic progression is rooted in the country’s core business model as well as the business environment created by China’s rapid growth.
Guan Xi, the key to business success in China
While the Chinese business market is constantly modernizing, adapting, and growing; there is still a concept of immense cultural importance that has governed Chinese business practices for many years. The notion of 关系 (Guan Xi) is essential for any company to understand if they intend on doing business in China. At its core, guan xi is about building relationships. Trust is crucial to business success in China, and it is something that does not come quickly. While it may seem counterintuitive in the current fast-paced business environment of the United States, a great deal of relationship building in China exists outside of conference calls and boardroom meetings. In China, face to face interaction helps build a kind of trust that simply cannot be acquired through only communicating through a phone speaker halfway across the world. Because of the integral part that guanxi plays in Chinese business; it is essential for an American company hoping to do business in China to make sure that they have a strong understanding of Chinese culture in order to build a strong relationship with Chinese businesses.
ICP Licensing: How to Start Your Chinese Business off Strong
Promising untapped markets are emerging all over China. As companies race to break into the new business climate, ICP Licensing is in growing demand. With rules and regulations constantly changing, and an overwhelming amount of Chinese paperwork, the registration process can get confusing. Nevertheless, completing this step is a fundamental part of your successful game plan, and we’re here to help. In this article, we’ve created an all-you-need-to-know-guide on how to properly establish a competitive web presence in any mainland region. Beware: This is a fragile and crucial part of your company’s success. The process is not to be taken lightly, although there are certain service providers out there who treat it so in order to make a quick buck or yuan. Pay attention to the points provided and we will teach you how to do it right.
Be Prepared: Five Important First Steps for Setting up your Business in China
Compared to the fast-paced explicit processes which dominate Western business, starting a company in China can be a headache. Combine extensive legal work with a social system opposite of your own and even the most experienced businessmen and women are in for a challenge.
However, establishing a presence in China continues to be a profitable move for entities in every business sector. With endless resources at your disposal, how to begin gets confusing. We’ve stripped away all the particulars and provided you with a basic idea.
The Transformational Trend: Why China is the place to be and how to start your business there
Why bring your business to China?
The future of China’s economy has never looked this bright. With a thriving middle class, a new wide-spread consumerist approach to spending, and increasing liberalization, China is now home to a wide variety of promising untapped markets.
Since the late 1980s and 1990s, China’s economy has been executing significant reform to the state-owned industry. Upon the passage of The Company Law in 1993, limited liability companies were approved, and firms were able to retain a share of their profits. As a result, private ownership increased rapidly. By 2005 it accounted for about 70% of China’s gross domestic product.
E-chop—Pioneer for Paperless
“Please have the company chop on the paper we received from the government and then send the original ones to us ASAP.” Are you familiar with above words in emails to some degree?
In China, the Government requires companies to have a “corporate seal” called Chops. Similar to the signature from an authorized representative in western countries, these corporate chops are the way to register official transactions, submit documentation, and validate paperwork in China. The body is where you bring more details about the subject or the problem. There’s a huge amount of paperwork required from the Chinese government, so company chops are typically used.