FAQ

China: Typical questions about doing business in China

1). Why should I consider doing business in China?

Low Costs
China is a region of opportunity for all types of companies, not just large multinationals. China continues to dominate the mass manufacturing and services industries with its low-cost labour and favorable production prices. China is also a growing source of intellectual capital for carrying out scientific work and R&D. The potential of the Chinese domestic market alone is yet another reason why so many British and foreign companies are now looking at developing in China.

Outwards Investment
This year the World Bank predicts that China’s GDP will grow at a rate of 9.6%, whilst Mofcom has stated that inwards FDI to China in the first four months of 2008 has already reached 35.02 billion U.S. an increase of 59.32 from the same period last year (World Bank Quarterly Update Feb 2008, Xinhua News Agency May 2008) With such strong financial support, many Chinese enterprises are looking for opportunities to invest in companies outside of China. Think London reports that the UK is the largest recipient of outwards investment from China, with London in particular winning 30% of investment projects. (Think London 2007)

There has never been a better time to enter the Chinese market, but doing business in China can still be challenging. Golden Bridge UK is here to facilitate and support your development in China.  

2). Why shouldn’t I set up my own Representative office?

Setting up your own representative office may have benefits in the long term, but if you are unsure of how the market will respond to your product or service it is better to work through an agent such as Golden Bridge UK. There is also a lot of red tape when it comes to setting up a rep office in China, see the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’s website for further details http://www.mofcom.gov.cn Representative offices in China are highly restricted and cannot carry out direct business activities. Re offices are limited to activities such as market research, product promotion and liaison. It is not permitted to charge fees for its services or engage in profit making activities such as sales or marketing.
Golden Bridge UK can act as your representative in China, meaning that your company would not have to risk losing time and money in the early stages of entering the Chinese market. Please see our Representative services for further details.

3). What are the Chinese public holidays

2008
1 Jan New Year. 
7-9 Feb Spring Festival, Chinese New Year.
1-3 May Labour Day.
1-3 Oct National Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year. 
26-28 Jan Spring Festival, Chinese New Year*.
1-3 May Labour Day.
1-3 Oct National Day.

*TBC.
Other holidays may be also be observed locally in China and certain groups have official Public Holidays on the following dates:

8 Mar International Women’s Day.
4 May National Youth Day.
23 May Tibet Liberation Day.
1 Jun International Children’s Day.
1 Aug Army Day

Our services:What can Golden Bridge UK do for you?

1). How can I meet with visiting delegations from China?

If you want to make links with potential clients or associates in China but have no idea how to go about this then you may be interested in meeting with one of our delegations from China. Each month, Golden Bridge UK arranges for roughly 40 delegations from local government and enterprise involved in various different industries from all over China to travel to the UK. Meeting with one of these delegations is an excellent opportunity you for you discuss the possibility of working together in the future and to make your initial contacts in China without even having to leave the UK. Please register your details with us, and we can send you news of any suitable upcoming delegations with whom you could meet with.

2). How do I arrange a trade mission to China?

If you have already identified which companies and local government bodies you wish to meet with in China, or you have already met with in the past and you wish to travel to China to meet with them for a second time, Golden Bridge UK can help you to arrange all of your business meetings and events. Please refer to our trade mission and events management services.

3). How do I keep in touch?

Keeping in touch with the people you have met previously on trade missions to China can be tricky. Golden Bridge offers follow up services to all of its clients in order to make sure that the first initial trip was not a waste of time or money.

4). Why use Golden Bridge UK’s business travel services?

In addition to helping you to arrange your business meetings and/or events in China, Golden Bridge UK can also arrange all of your travel and accommodation needs through its own travel agent, China Holidays Ltd. We can include these services in a services package and tailor it to your company’s needs. Please refer to our business travel services for further information.

5). How can I check that your travel company is a legitimate tour operator?

China Holidays Ltd has been established for over ten years with a head office in London and a second office in Beijing. It is regarded as one of the most successful British tour operators focusing on the China market and has met all the travel industry regulatory requirements, including obtaining IATA and ATOL licenses. Please see the website for further information www.chinaholidays.co.uk

6). How do I get a business visa for China and what documents will I need?

Golden Bridge UK can help you to apply for your Chinese business visa through its own travel company, China Holidays ltd. Please see our visa services for further information.

7). How do I get information on upcoming trade shows in China?

Golden Bridge UK can send you information relating to upcoming trade shows and exhibitions taking place all over China. All you have to do is let us know which industries and/or areas of China you are interested in developing your business and we can send you an update of all trading events happening in China each month.

Golden Bridge also sends out a monthly E-newsletter to all of its clients and associates. If you would like to be included on our newsletter database please register with us.

8). Do you have an office in China?

Golden Bridge UK has had a representative office in China for three years. Mr. Jun Li is the Managing director of our office in Beijing and his contact details can be found here. Golden Bridge UK has plans to set up further offices in China, and Shanghai is set to be the next location for a second Chinese office.

9). Where can I get more information on individual provinces and industry reports?