China has a long history and diverse culture. It is the third largest country by area, with the largest population in the world at over 1.3 billion people. Chinese communication is influenced by collectivism, formality, and the importance of relationships. To succeed in business communication in China, it is important to exchange business cards properly, be punctual, give appropriate gifts, and understand differences in greetings, personal space, and other cultural norms. Patience and flexibility are also keys when interacting with Chinese business counterparts.

1. Cross Cultural Communication in CHINA
We :
Amit Kr. Jha
Parikshit Shome
Partho Pratim Bora
Suresh Dash
Samarth Chanda

2. Welcome to China

3. CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
OVERVIEW
CHINESE COMMUNICATION CULTURAL
GOLDEN RULE (Key To Success in CHINA)
REFERENCES

4. Intro of China
RELIGIONS: Daoist ( ), ,
: 1%-2%, : 3%-4%
LANGUAGES: Mandarin, Yue, Minbei, English
CLIMATE: Extremely diverse; tropical in
south to subarctic in north
FAMOUS DISHES: Jiaozi, Baozi (Steamed
Buns); Chaomian (Fried noodles); Chaofen
(Fried Rice); Zhou (Breakfast Food)
FESTIVALS:

5. History of China
Yangshao Culture (late
Neolithic Period, c. 5000-3000
BC)
Liangzhu Culture (c. 3300-2200 BC)
Hongshan Culture (c. 3500
BC)
Bronze Culture 16th century BC and
flourished for 1000 years

6. Overview of China
Located in East Asia on the western shore of the Pacific
Ocean
Having a land area of about 9.6 million sq. km
Surrounded by 15 countries
With 5,400 islands in its territory
Being the third largest country in the world
Over 1.3 billion out of total 6.6 billion world population
Literacy rate: 95.1%
Life expectancy: 75.20 years
One child policy since 1978
Poverty rate from 53% in 1981 to 8% by 2001
The 3rd largest importer and 2nd largest exporter

7. Chinese
Communication Cultural
(Business Etiquette's)
Business Meetings
Assumption : The first person who enters the room is the head of the group.
Appointments are must.
Important guests are usually accompanied to their seats.
When exchanging business cards, hold your card using both hands with the
writing facing the recipient.
Receive the card with both hands, and look at it for a while before putting it in
your pocket.
Card should be exchanged individually.
Meetings begin with small talks. Resist the temptation to get down to business
right away.
Allow the Chinese to leave the meeting first.

8. Value of Time
Perception about time is linear. (Punctual).
Relatively more attention to the long term future.
Power Structure
Power distance is high with power distance index of 80.
Collectivism
Collectivist – Group loyalty, Decision-making oriented to group
welfare.

9. Spatial Relationships
Touching (i.e. patting someone’s back or putting an arm
around someone) is uncommon in Chinese culture and will
likely make a Chinese person uncomfortable.
Social distance, or the acceptable distance between two
people, differs significantly in each culture. Americans may
find that Chinese culture is oriented to a closer social
distance.

10. Greetings
Address a person by his/her family name. In china the
family name comes first.
For business purpose it is traditionally acceptable to
call them by surname, together with a title, such as
“Director Wang” or “Chairman Li”
Do not try to become too friendly too soon, and do not
insist them to address you by your given name.
Chinese way of greetings is a nod.
Handshake should be soft and lack of eye contact.

11. Gift Giving
Gifts in China means you are interested in building a relationship.
Particularly something representative about town, country, or region.
Do not expect your gift to be opened in your presence.
Do not use plain black or white paper gift pack, it’s a symbol of mourning.
Do not give flowers, clocks, handkerchiefs, umbrella or straw sandals as
they are associated with funerals and death.
Good gifts: Banquets, Fine Pen, Food items (Well packed).
Present gifts with both hands and mention it’s a small token of
appreciation.
Four is an unlucky number. Eight is the luckiest number.

12. Golden Rules
Change course from time to time.
Be prepared to tell white lies.
Have a lot of patience.
Do not try to change them. They are the way they are.
Carry a lot of Maggie, and readymade foods if you are a vegetarian.
Be prepared to eat new kinds of meat in the name of chicken.
Be prepared to face some of the hardest and longest negotiations
you’ve ever seen.
Be prepared to know that in most cases they don’t know the value of
lifetime customers.
And last but not the least learn the sign language, as they don’t
understand English and they won’t for another decade, and you can’t
learn Chinese.
Key to Success in China

13. References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_culture
http://www.cultural-china.com/
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/