Are you preparing for a trade mission to China?

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Are you preparing for a trade mission to China? Here are the things you need to think about to succeed.

China's business landscape is undeniably very different from the British landscape, and it’s a market with many opportunities for British businesses. As an international company with offices in Southwest China, we have vast experience navigating China's digital and cultural landscape. Read on for our top tips.

WeChat Wonders: Your Digital Companion in China

Gone are the days of exchanging business cards with two hands – in China, it's all about WeChat. WeChat is often described as the ‘everything app’, a colossal mobile social media and payment platform with over 1.2 billion monthly users.

You can use WeChat to its full potential by joining group chats for networking and following official accounts for business updates. WeChat, though often described as a combination of WhatsApp and Facebook, goes far beyond that by allowing users to book hotels and taxis and make payments directly on the platform. It’s an essential part of everyday life in China.

WeChat is also the primary means of exchanging information and conducting business conversations, much like email in the UK.

If you’re going to China on a trade mission, we would recommend leveraging this digital platform to establish and maintain a robust digital presence.

Breaking the Digital Barrier: Website Accessibility in China

Efficient information exchange during in-person meetings is crucial for a successful trade mission, but your online presence also matters.

When it comes to your web presence, the Great Firewall can create challenges for Western companies. You can read more about the Great Firewall here, but it essentially blocks Chinese residents from accessing certain apps and websites and only provides partial access to others. Ensure your website is accessible within China by testing it with tools like VPNs.

If your website is blocked or so slow to load that it negatively impacts the user experience, consider hosting it on local servers or creating a dedicated Chinese landing page tailored for Chinese audiences. You will need a media license, also known as an ICP license, to host websites in mainland China. This can be difficult to obtain without the help of a Chinese resident or a Chinese business entity.

Appt is one of the few UK-based digital agencies with a legal presence in mainland China. We can help you host your landing page or website in China, obtain the necessary licenses and a .CN domain, and optimise your website for Chinese search engines.

Do Your Research: Leverage Chinese Websites and Platforms

Western networking platforms like LinkedIn are not as effective in China, so exploring local alternatives like WeChat and Maimai for professional networking and client research is important.

As Google is inaccessible, we recommend using Bing or Baidu for business research. Tools like Baidu Translate, Youdao, or WeChat's built-in translation can help you overcome the language barrier.   

Gift Giving: Navigating the Heart of Chinese Business Culture

Gift-giving is an art in Chinese business culture and is seen as a sign of respect and generosity. You can honour your new friends and potential business partners with thoughtful gifts that showcase British uniqueness, such as branded stationery or English tea.

However, be aware of cultural taboos. Avoid gifts that may convey negative meanings, like watches or clocks (symbolising death), umbrellas (symbolising a breakup), and pears (also symbolising a breakup).

Travel Admin: You May Not Need a Visa

You might not need a visa at all under China’s 144-hour visa-free policy.

Since early 2023, China has fully reopened its and reinstated the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, enabling eligible travellers from certain countries to enjoy up to 6 days of visa-free exploration in select areas of China.

While the 144-hour visa free transit doesn’t grant unrestricted travel across China, it applies to 20 cities and 29 ports. Your 6 days trip is tethered to exact port of entry, providing a defined scope of permitted travel.

Going On a Trade Mission to China?

We can help you embark on your China trade mission with confidence. We use our digital, cultural, and technical know-how to connect people and businesses with the growing Chinese market.