DSP Relocations Asia

Your DSP Relcoations Asia Office in China DSP Relocations China Room-209, KCS Building No. 276 Ningbo Road, Huangpu District Shanghai 200001, PR China. Tel : +86 21 6258 2244 E-mail : isaac.trallero@dsprelocations.com		Local time :

CHINA - FACTS AND FIGURES

Capital	:	Beijing
Location	:	Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Total Area	:	9,596,961 sq km
Climate	:	Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Population	:	1,343,239,923 (July 2012-estimated); Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Ulighur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean and other nationalities 8.5%
Government Type	:	Communist state
Official Languages	:	Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhuo), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Religions	:	Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3-4%, Muslim 1-2%
Currency	:	Renminbi Yuan (RMB)
Country Code	:	+86

GENERAL
The People’s Republic of China was established on October 1, 1949, with Beijing as its capital city. With well over 1.3 billion citizens, China is the world's most populous country and the world’s fourth-largest country in terms of territory. Although political power remains centralized in the Chinese Communist Party, China is undergoing profound economic and social changes. Modern tourist facilities are available in major cities, but many facilities in smaller provincial cities and rural areas may be below international standards.
LOCAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE
SPECIAL BELIEFS
Visitors to China should be aware of the following special beliefs :
The number ‘four’ is considered unlucky, as it is associated with death (the Mandarin pronunciation of ‘four’ and ‘death’ are nearly identical). Some Chinese will not take a flight or get married on the fourth of the month. The number ‘eight’ or any combination of eight (such as 8888) is considered lucky, as in Chinese ‘eight’ sounds like the word ‘prosperity’. It is beneficial to quote prices that include the digit eight. The numbers ‘three’ (life) and ‘nine’ (eternity) are also considered auspicious. The colours red (prosperity) and yellow (gold, wealth) are good colours. Green is also acceptable, signifying longevity. Dark purple, white and black are not acceptable colours. Elements of nature, including creatures, have significant meaning : - Flowing water implies that money will flow into a business, which is why many Chinese businesses have a water feature at their entrance. - A dragon implies great strength and power. - Tortoise symbolise long life. - Fish are a sign of prosperity, which is why Chinese often have fish tanks either at home or in the office. A gift depicting a fish will be well received. - A pair of lions may often be seen guarding the door of a Chinese enterprise – this is to keep evil spirits at bay.
When interacting with Chinese people, don’t :
Bite your fingernails in public. Beckon with your index finger. Write crosses next to people’s names or their pictures; a cross or the letter ‘x’ has connotations with death. Write a person’s name in red ink; this signifies that they are due to die. Wink at a person. Initiate talk about religions, particularly those considered extremist by the communist government, such as ‘Falung Gong’. Discussion about Japan should be avoided, as this is also a sensitive issue. Show irritation at pushing and shoving in shops, buses and trains – such acts are not considered impolite. Present items such as name cards, gifts, cash notes and credit cards using only one hand; this should rather be done with both hands. Take offence at excessive curiosity about your personal background, and being studied closely in public. Do not wear your shoes into the house. Remove shoes before entering the house and change to indoor slippers. (Same custom as Japanese and Koreans) Do not let Chinese “lose face” (丢脸 dui lian). Face stands for dignity, reputation, social status and integrity. Relationships are closely connected to the matter of face, giving present is a way to gain face whether it is in business or in personal relationships; present-giving is an essential etiquette. They can offer face to others (赏脸 shang lian) when they go out of their way to do someone a favour; they can leave face for others (留面子 liu mian zi) by not offending or going against someone directly; they can earn face (争面子 zheng mian zi) by doing something honourable or difficult if you are in a good relationship with the Chinese.