sunnyhuhu , 23

source: from the internet

Developing a low-carbon model, promoting environmentally safe lifestyles will open up economic opportunities

A few days ago, I came across an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time. The unbelievable changes in his physical appearance were astounding. The last time we met, he had a fair complexion and a weak physique. Now, he's tanned and muscular.

His explanation quickly answered my questions.

"I resigned from my post as a senior company executive to become a farm owner," he said, adding that he is busy generating wind power and engaging in some low-carbon producing activities. "An intimate contact with nature has given me a healthier and stronger physical constitution, and possibly bigger financial returns," he told me.

His words and physique made me pause and think, as it should for every Chinese person who is committed to contributing to a low-carbon economy.

Shortsighted human activities have induced some terrible changes to our planet. The once mighty glaciers on opposite poles of the earth have been whittled down quickly in recent years. Environmental deterioration from climate change has pushed mankind to a very dangerous corner. To reverse or limit global warming, a sweeping and widespread campaign advocating a low-carbon lifestyle should be launched for people around the world.

But the biggest obstacle to this campaign is mankind and this holds true for China.

How does China strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection, between long-term and short-term interests? The questions pose major challenges to the world's largest developing country.

Global warming and ecological degeneration now remain undeniable facts. For every nation, overcoming this crisis can only be achieved, to some extent, at the cost of their own economic development. Improving and maintaining the environment, despite its temporary obstruction to global economic growth, is expected to be a direct driving force behind the long-term and coordinated development of the global economy.

Since the global financial crisis, the Chinese government has made the development of science a major priority to pursue a people-oriented, healthy and sustainable economic model.

This new approach to some extent shows that the government is more aware of the unsustainable nature of its long-held economic model built on high-energy consumption and high pollution. The various calls by the government for a different economic growth formula is not China's passive response to a global environmental crisis, but its active and strategic gesture to hail the coming of the low-carbon era.

For a country whose industrialization and urbanization is accelerating, China's unprecedented emphasis on environmental protection shows the country's determination to revamp its decades-long economic structure, mode of production and attitude toward development. A scientific economic policy is inseparable from a scientific environment policy. An effective and coordinated combination between the two is expected to benefit the cultivation of a green, low-carbon economic model. This is the only path for China to develop in a sustainable way.

Of the $586 billion stimulus package launched by the government in late 2008 amid the global economic recession, more than $200 billion has been used for green development, such as the energy-saving sector, public transportation, recycling waste, sustainable forestry and environmental services. Waste recycling alone is expected to create 10 million new jobs. The government clearly has an arsenal of effective economic tools to create huge opportunities through a new growth focus.

The government is going all out to optimize its industrial structure and re-forge a new economic growth model based on the premise of environmental protection. The encouraging but challenging target - if it is realized by the end of the country's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) - will be an economic revolution. The enormous economic effects and commercial opportunities created in the process cannot be overstated.

Not only will the Chinese government, the growing public consciousness of environmental protection, public wellness and food safety serve as strong spurs to press ahead with the transformation of its economic growth model, public awareness will also produce huge commercial opportunities for enterprises.

A green, low-carbon and healthy lifestyle is a new symbol of our civilization. A healthy lifestyle is the inevitable choice for Chinese people if we think about the approaching energy, environment and survival problems. If we can instill a sense of crisis among Chinese people and lead them into a green and healthy way of living, it will usher in a broader development prospect for the world's third largest economy.

The author is a researcher with China Foundation for International and Strategic Studies.

The access point: www.firstbtob.com

source：from the internet

China's large electronic information manufacturers recovered at a faster pace in the first two months of this year, according to figures released Tuesday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The output, export volumes and operating revenue for the large manufacturers, meaning those with annual sales exceeding 5 million yuan ($732,500) in China, all posted growth of more than 20 percent year-on-year, the MIIT statistics revealed.

Though China's traditional Lunar New Year holidays fell between Feb 13-19, Jan-Feb sales for the manufacturers still rose 35.5 percent year-on-year to 796.3 billion yuan ($116.66 billion), up 18.1 percent from the same period in 2008 before the global financial crisis hit the industry.

Exports by them jumped 28.2 percent year-on-year to 457.9 billion yuan ($67.1 billion) in the first two months.

Operating profits of large electronic information manufacturers surged 350.8 percent to 21.76 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) but still 5,797 companies were operating at a loss during the Jan-Feb period.

However, the number of those operating at a loss was down 24.9 percent with their deficits narrowing by more than half compared to the same period last year, according to the MIIT.

China's electronic information manufacturing industry produces mobile phones, personal computers, television sets, digital cameras and other communications equipment, electronic components and home appliances.

In the first two months, the industry produced 108.31 million mobiles phones, up 29.7 percent year-on-year; 31.97 million personal computers, an increase of 41.3 percent year-on-year; and 18.01 million color television sets, up 68.6 percent year-on-year, according to the MIIT figures.

the access point: http://www.firstbtob.com

source: from the internet

The Chinese business practice is vastly different from the Western method that most of us may be used to. Of course, with the Chinese economy opening up, China's joining of WTO and the Olympics in 2008, many Chinese business practice are now beginning to align with more conventional methods.

However, China will always have their own unique business culture and etiquette, given their unique history and background.

"I was recently involved in a business meeting that went sour and threatened to scuttle a good deal. What happened was that the Chinese party recieving the American purchaser was late in reaching his hotel. The American was furious as he had a tight schedule and that they were late and threatened to withdraw his purchase.

The Chinese party was late because they were given a vague address of a lake-side hotel. You see, what happened was that the American gave his hotel as Lakeside hotel. Unfortunately, there were numerous hotels along the lake but the Chinese were too shy to enquire which lakeside hotel earlier because they were afraid the American would 'lose face' for having given a vague address. Instead, they spent the morning hopping from one lakeside hotel to another looking for this American gentleman."

A simple cultural difference threatened to scuttle a perfectly good working relationship. To avoid similar cultural disasters, here are some tips on how you can conduct a more successful business in China.

The initial approach
Chinese business contacts are mostly referrals; essentially a business relationship is struck based on another business associate recommendation. The best prices and deals often comes from a strong recommendation.

However, it is common today for cold calls and direct contacts, given the availability of the internet and the competitive nature of Chinese businesses. You may source from the internet, trade fairs, catalogues and brochures, advertisements and approach the Chinese companies directly through a call or email.

Alternatively, if you are seeking to invest in a factory in China, you can approach a investment committee or a business advisory directly. They will be able to advise you on your best location based on your industry, raw material and manpower needs.

Business Relationship in China
Chinese business relationship inevitably becomes a social relationship after a while. Unlike Western business relationship which remains professional and perhaps, aloof, even after a long time, Chinese business relationship becomes a social one.

The more you share your personal life, including family, hobbies, political views, aspirations, the closer you are in your business relationship. Sometimes, a lot of time is spent discussing matters outside of business, but then a lot of time, the other party is also making up his mind about your deal based on how much he sees your personal relationship with him.

Seniority is important in China
Seniority is very important to the Chinese especially if you are dealing with a State owned or government body. Instead of addressing the other party as Mr or Mrs so and so, it is always appropriate to address the other party by his designation ie Chairman So and So, Director So and So or Manager So and So.

When giving out namecards or brochures, make sure you start with the most senior person before moving down the line. When giving out a namecard or recieving one, ensure that you are stretching out with both hands with the card. Remember to face the card you are giving out in a manner such that the recieving party gets it facing him correctly.

Giving Face or Gei MianZi
Giving face (aka giving due respect) is a very important concept in China. You must give the appropriate respect according to rank and seniority. For example, if you are buying gifts for an initial contact, make sure you buy better gifts for the senior managers instead of buying similar gifts across the board.

Similarly, sitting positions in a meeting room or a dining table is accorded accordingly to rank, importance and seniority. It is good to seek advice before embarking on your first meeting with Chinese business contacts to avoid making the wrong move.

Gifts and Presents
Unlike earlier days when China was very poor, gifts, especially of Western origin was especially appreciated. Today, China produces and imports almost anything imaginable and gifts are no longer a novelty.

However, gifts are always appreciated and especially in the smaller cities or towns, will continue to play an important part in your business relationship. Do note that if you are indeed giving gifts, make sure the senior people get a better gift or at least gifts perceived to have a higher value than their junior staff.

Similarly, expect to recieve gifts from the Chinese, especially Chinese art products. It is polite not to refuse, especially if it is not of too high a monetary value.

Lunch/Dinner in China
There is no business talk in China without at least one trip to a restaurant. Sometimes, a trip is made to the restaurant even before any business discussion take place! Inevitably, the restaurant will always be a grand one and you are likely to be hosted in a private room.

There is an elaborate seating arrangement for a Chinese business meal. There are fixed seating positions for the host and the guest and then they are seated again according to seniority. This is a very important aspect of a formal dinner and it is important that you follow the rules accordingly. However, it seems that the Northern Chinese are very particular to this formal seating arrangement while the Southern Chinese has loosen the formalities somewhat.

The access point: http://www.firstbtob.com

source:from the internet

The Sichuanese are known for their honesty and sincerity when doing business. Read more about their fascinating background here.

The Sichuan basin is crisscrossed by rivers and covered with fertile land, resulting in a warm climate and an economy and history of self-reliance. Rich natural conditions have bestowed a relatively high level of wealth and stability on generation after generation of Sichuanese, while geographical isolation has fostered conservative attitudes and relative complacency. As an old Sichuan saying goes, "Business life lasts 60 years [one generation], but cultivating land can generate money over 10,000 years." As a result, the Sichuanese were traditionally uninterested in business and tended to lack commercial drive, at least compared with people in other parts of China.

After the opening and reform of China began, Sichuanese began to leave the basin for new opportunities, with some of them becoming businesspeople and entrepreneurs. Only a small minority wanted to take the risk of leaving their homeland, however. Most Sichuanese who left Sichuan have ended up as hired hands; relatively few are bosses.

Yet this is not to say that Sichuan's human capital is inferior to that found in other parts of China. Sichuan is home to many of the firms that make up China's military-industrial complex, because both the Nationalist and **** governments considered Sichuan a safe base, far from foreign threats. Sichuan ranked first in scientific and technological talent in several national statistical surveys conducted during the 1990s. For many years, Sichuan has been among the top regions in terms of scientific and technological innovation, but many of Sichuan's innovations have been capitalized on by rich companies from coastal regions. For example, a Sichuan technician invented a multipurpose wrench. The technician initially priced the wrench at ¥30,000 ($3,629), but nobody was interested. Later on, it was sold to a company from the coast, which produced it successfully for export.

Sichuanese, who believe that "one cannot be successful without credibility," (min wuxin buli) are known for their honesty and sincerity. Once they have made a promise, they will do all they can to realize it. Thus, borrowing and lending money among Sichuanese was traditionally done orally, without contracts. This emphasis on credibility spills over into business. Iin one 1995 national survey of counterfeited goods conducted by the China Association of Quality 10,000 Miles Promotion (Zhongguo Zhiliang Wanlixing Cujinhui), Sichuan was listed as the least-counterfeiting province.

Sichuan has long been a center of Taoism and has been subject to strong Confucian influence. Thus, Sichuanese tend to emphasize harmony and moderation in their daily interactions. They tend to believe in the tenet of forgiveness whenever possible. Even when they are right, they believe that they should not gloat. Sichuan's traditional tea houses were sites not only for relaxation and entertainment, but also for conflict mediation and resolution.

The Sichuanese are known to emphasize practicality and have little vanity. Sichuan native Deng Xiaoping's reform slogan that "A good cat, whether black or white, is one that can catch mice," came originally from a popular Sichuan saying. The Sichuanese are also known for their hard work and tenacity. A typical example is mountainous Chongqing's "pole army" (bangbang jun), porters who eke out a living by carrying heavy bags suspended from poles on their shoulders for little compensation. For foreign businesspeople, the Sichuanese work ethic means that as long as business terms are reasonable and negotiated in good faith, the Sichuanese are easy to work with.

The access point: http://www.firstbtob.com

Being the largest waterfall in China and also one of the famous in the world. the Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall is located over the Baishui River. 15 kilometers southwest of Zhenning Buyi and Miao Autonomous County in the southwest Anshun. Guizhou Province. It is the main waterfall in the Huangguoshu Scenic Spot. with a fall of 74 meters and a width of 81 meters. In summer. the water rises suddenly. pouring down from cliffs 700 meters high to the Xiuniu Pool (rhinoceros pool) with thunderous roars that can be heard five kilometers away. Water smoke rises to over a hundred meters high from the plunge pool. and changes into rainbows in the sunshine.

The Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall changes with seasons. In winter. it falls down gently due to decreased amount of water; while in summer and autumn. its volume increases abruptly. with earthshaking momentum. Sometimes. the surging waterfall sends up foams and smokes hundreds of meters high. often making the surrounding areas in the drizzle.

In front of the Huangguoshu Grand Waterfall is a box-shaped karst topographical canyon. in which lies a string of pools. including the Xiniu Pool. the Sandao Shoal. the Mati Pool. and the Maoshui Pool. etc. These pools all have their own features. for example. the Mati Pool has a shape of a horse`s hoof. which is a kind of geological forms of karst waterfall. Along both sides of the canyon. many species of hygrophilous plants thrive with wild flowers and weed. There are many constructions built among the bamboo forests. such as the Water-Viewing Pavilion. Waterfall-Viewing Pavilion. teahouses. the iron chain bridge and funicular railways. Those constructions together with the waterfall make a wonderful three-dimensional painting of mountains and rivers.

There is a 134-meter long water-curtain cave behind the waterfall. with six windows. five halls. three springs and one waterfall inside it. Walking in the cave. one can see through the windows the waterfall pouring down outside. At sunset. visitors standing by the window can enjoy the magnificent view of the waterfall. with rainbows curling up in the Xiniu Pool and rosy clouds floating over the distant mountains. This is the famous scenery of viewing the sunset from the water-curtain cave.