Panjianyuan Antique Collection Market

The Panjianyuan Antique Collection Market is an grand bazaar with an extensive array of old clothes, crqafts, collections, and accessories. The market spans an area of 48,500 square meters. The Panjianyuan Antique Collection Market is divided into various areas including handcrafts, old furniture, old books, and houses over 3,000 stalls. Merchants from Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Sinjiang, Tibet, and 24 other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Panjianyuan Antique Collection Market website.

Tsinghua University

"Train students with integrity."
Established in 1911, Tsinghua Xuetang, was a preparatory school for students to be sent by the government to continue their education overseas in the United States. In 1912, the educational institution became the Tsinghua School. Twenty-three years later, in 1925 the university section was instituted. Resultantly, undergraduate students were enrolled. In 1928, the school name was changed once more to the National Tsinghua University. In 1929 the Research Institute was set up. Through years of wars and reforms the University has greatly expanded and evolved into what it is today.

Since the school's founding, over 100,000 students who have graduated. Amongst these graduates are a multitude of outstanding scholars, entrepreneurs and great statesmen. The opportunity to study at Tsinghua is a great dream to many of China's youth. Today, Tsinghua has over 20,000 students enrolled, including 12,000 undergraduates, 6,200 master's degrees candidates, and 2,800 doctoral candidates.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Tsinghua University website.

Beijing University

Beijing University, formerly Jing Shi Da Xue Tang --the Metropolitan University-- has evolved along with the political refors of China. Beijing University today, also known as Peking University, is a comprehensive and National Key university stressing basic sciences and shifting some attention to the development of applied sciences. The campus is konwn as "Yan Yuan," -- the garders of Yan, and exhibits spectacular foliage and water scenes. The University is located in the western suburbs of Beijing, near the Yuan Ming Gardens and the Summer Palace. The university offers an extensive aray of educational opportunities within its 30 colleges and 12 departments. Beijing University offers 93 specialties for undergraduates,2 specialties for the second Bachelor's degree, 199 specialties for Master candidates and 173 specialties for Doctoral candidates. The University currently houses 216 research institutes and research centers, with 2 national engineering research centers, 81 key national disciplines, and 12 national key laboratories.

Beijing University employs over 4,574 teacher, 2,691 of whom are full or associate professors. Student enrollment is up to 46,074 students broken down into 15,001 undergraduates, 8,119 master candidates, 3,956 doctoral candidates, 18,998 candidates for a correspondence courses or study at the night school, and 1,776 international students from 62 countries and regions.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Peking University website.

Sun Microsystems Engineering Center

"Nearly a quarter century ago, Sun was founded with one driving vision: The Network is the Computer. A vision for connecting everyone, no matter where they are, with whatever technology works for people--not the other way around."

Sun Microsystems Inc. is an innovative industry leader in servers, storage, software, and services. The company has a mission to focus 100 percent on network computing. The company was founded in 1982 with an initial vision of "The Network is the Computer," which has evolved over the years to become "Powering the Participation Age." Sun Microsystems Inc. strives to build technologies and foster the growth of communities which power the participation age.

Sun Microsystems Inc. Engineer Center is located near Beijing and Tsinghau University. Furthermore, the organization has sales offices located in downtown Beijing. Sun Microsystems Inc.'s presence in China supports efforts to maintain their role as an industry leader. Like many companies today, Sun Microsystems Inc. draws from China's vast and hardworking labor pool as well as the countries massive customer base.

Questions:
What strategic steps has led to Sun Microsystems Inc.'s presence in China?
What political policies has Sun Microsystems Inc. faced and overcome in doing business in China?
Has Sun Microsystems Inc. faced any intellectual property theft issues in China? What measures has Sun Microsystems Inc. taken to protect themselves against intellectual property theft?

All contents of this post are drawn from the Sun Microsystems Inc. China website.

US Embassy/ Commercial Attaché

The United States Commercial Service (USCS) strives to help US companies and Chinese buyers. The USCS has Consumer Service China Programs and Services and Doing Business in China Guidance. The Consumer Service China supports the United States Government, State Government, and Trade Missions to China. The USCS makes available information for those traveling to China as well as those desiring to do business in China. Amongst there reservoir of helpful knowledge the following topics are addressed:

Telephone Usage in China
Airlines in Beijing, China
Healthcare Facilities in Beijing
Money Usage in China
Cultural Tips in China
Basic Chinese Language Phrases
Religious Services in Beijing
Beijing Tourist Information

Furthermore, the USCS China lists a range of upcoming China trade shows and Seminars. The organization is supported by an international partner network.

All contents of this post are drawn from the US Commercial Service website.

Suzhou Industrial Park

The Agreement on the Joint Development of Suzhou Industrial Park in Beijing! Reforms and modernization have created the political and economic forum found in Singapore today. This inspirational lieu have fostered the development of a modern industrial township in China. The concept emphasized modern management methods and good social order. Two years after the birth of the idea, the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (CS-SIP) was thus born on Feb. 26, 1994. The development was a joint agreement between Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing and Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Suzhou Industrial Park website.

The Grand Canal of China

This man made marvel was initially conceived in 722-481 BC. This concept of a waterway passage through mainland China is an insight into China's long lived grand scale thinking and desire for progress. Fu Chai, the Duke of Wu (Known today as Suzhou), ordered the canal's construction to transport soldiers.

Over the many years the canal was expanded to become one of China's main transportation arteries. In the past decade new transportation means have diminished reliance on this canal. Furthermore, many sections developed into muddy riverbeds. Recently great efforts have been vested in restoring and rebuilding this great historical treasure China holds. Reforms and government support have led the way to reviving this waterway, at one time critical to China's economical and social health.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Wikipedia website.

Wuzhen

Located outside of Hangzhou City, the ancient water town of Wuzhen is said to go back to 7,000 years. The town was built on the Yangtze River Delta. This river was at one time the main means of transportation for the locals. The town's amazing history has fostered the support from government officials and the Wuzhen Tourism Development Co., Ltd to protect and rebuild what remains of this treasure. Wuzhen is located in the subtropical zone and experiences a monsoon climate.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Wuzhen Tourism Development Co., Ltd. website.

Shanghai Museum

Square earth, round sky!
The Shanghai Museum has a vast display of ancient Chinese art with a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. The museum is known particularly for its astonishing collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. Over the years the museum has developed with other institutes with respect to acquisition, conservation, research, exhibition, education and cultural exchanges. After three years of construction, the museum found its permanent home in 1996 at the center of the city, the People’s Square. The new building is 29.5 meters high, with 39,200 square meters of space. This space is used to house eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls. The architecture of the museum symbolizes the Chinese philosophy of a square earth under a round sky.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Shanghai Museum website.

Carrefour

News Alert: "Opening of the 76th hypermarket in China! On May 23rd 2006, a Carrefour hypermarket opened its doors in China in Shenzhen City. Xiang Bin store is the 5th store of Carrefour in Shenzhen. It offers a sales area of 8,500 sq.m."

The French company Carrefour was the first retailer in Europe. It is currently the second largest retailer worldwide. The company has four leading formats for its retail stores including hypermarkets, supermarkets, hard discount and convenience stores. The breakdown of consolidated net sales by store format as of December 2005 are 58.8%, 17.8%, 8.6 %, and 14.8% respectively. These sales amounted to € 93.614 billion. The company has 436,000 employees world wide. There global operations are primarily concentrated in France, Europe (excluding France), Americas, and Asia with a breakdown of consolidated net sales by geographic region of 47.8%, 37.7%, 6.8%, and 7.7% respectively.

The opening of the 76th hypermarket in China marks a trend towards growth in Asia for Carrefour. This step is bringing the company is forward in its quest to be the number one retail store in the world.

(As an aside: I love this store!!!)

Questions:
Given the over 1 billion customer base currently in China, what is the optimal quantity of stores Carrefour would like to open in China?
What marketing tactics is Carrefour implementing to capture the Chinese consumer market?
What strategies are being implemented to insure the success of Carrefour in China? How do they differ from those that led to the failure of Carrefour in the US?
Do you have any Cafe Liegeois, because they are my favorites and they are not sold in the US?

All contents of this post are drawn from the Carrefour website.

Microsoft Global Technical Service Center

The Global Technical Support Center (GTSC) was opened in Shanghai by Microsoft in January of 1998. The GTSC is the first Shanghai enterprise technical support center opened by a Fortune 500 company. More importantly, GTSC is an integral part of Microsoft's globalization strategy and investment in technical support services.

The Greater China Regional Global Technical Support Center (GCR GTSC) is one of five GTSCs in the world, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Taiwan, and Hong Kong (to name a few). GCR GTSC is headquartered in Shanghai's Metro tower, with over 500 employees. These employees provide comprehensive technical support services to customers in America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These Microsoft product experts present high quality technical support services in cooperation with other global technical support centers.

Questions:
Has Microsoft experienced any difficulties in dealing with language barriers and the emphasis of verbal communications in technical service centers?
What quality control systems does Microsoft implement to insure consistency in the technical support services given to customers across the globe?
Does Microsoft have any desires to expand the GTSC offices in China?

All contents of this post are drawn from the Microsoft Services: China website.

RR Donnelley

Founded in 1864 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, RR Donnelley is the world's premier full service provider of print and related services. Such services include commercial printing, direct mail, financial printing, print fulfillment, forms and labels, logistics, call centers, transactional print-and-mail, print management, online services, digital photography, color services, and content and database management to customers in the publishing, healthcare, advertising, retail, technology, financial services and many other industries. The company stated sales of $8,430.0 million in 2005 alone. RR Donnelly has over 600 facilities worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, and China. The company currently has 6 facilities in China: Beijing office, Shanghai office, Shanghai manufacturing plant, Shenzhen manufacturing plant, and Shanghai premedia center.

As of 1949, RR Donnelley was the first US-based company to receive a license to services for commercial printing and other printings within China. RR Donnelley joined a joint venture agreement with Shenzhen Petrochemical Holding Co. Ltd., entering China in 1993. Eight years later, in 2001 the company proceeded to enter a second joint venture with the Shanghai Press and Publications Administration. In October 2002 the Shanghai facility was commissioned. Today RR Donnelley in China partners with magazine, book and and directory publishers, catalogers, retailers and telecommunications companies world wide.

Questions:
Does RR Donnelley have any ambitions to buy out there joint venture counterparts?
What political shackles has RR Donnelley over come since its entrance into China in 1993?
What political shackles does RR Donnelley still struggle with today?

All contents of this post are drawn from the RR Donnelley website.

HSBC

"We are the world's local bank."
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, established in 1865 has led the way to give birth to HSBC. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited was originally established to finance the growing trade between China and Europe. Since then, HSBC has become one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. Headquartered in London, the corporation spans over 9,500 offices in 76 countries and territories. HSBC uses an extensive international network supported by advanced technology, to provide a comprehensive range of financial services, personal financial services, commercial banking, corporate, investment banking and markets, private banking, and other activities.

Questions:
In what ways have customers changed the way they bank in China over the last five years?
What are the anticipated/desired changes in the way China will use banking services in the next five years?
What are the growth goals for HSBC in China and globaly?
What has been HSBC's most rewarding strategic move in doing business in China?
What has been HSBC's least rewarding strategic move in doing business in China?

All contents of this post are drawn from the HSBC website.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

"City, man, environment, and developemnt."
The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall displays the achievements of Shanghai in city planning and constructions. The exhibition hall uses modern exhibition technology to illustrate the progression of the city into the future, as well as to attain a sense of integration of professionalism, knowledge, interest, and art. The exhibition hall displays information going back to the 1990's during the time of the reform up to today. Moreover, the exhibition hall displays the hopes and future of the city.

The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall spans over 19 thousand square meters. The Hall includes a main model of urban planning scaled at 1:2000. This exhibit illustrates the urban geography and scenery covering over a hundred square meters within the inner elevated ring road. Resultantly, this urban planning model is the largest of its kind in the world.

All contents of this post are drawn from the Shanghai Tour website.

CB Richard Ellis

"We do not exist without our clients"
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (CBRE, Inc.) is a multinational real estate corporation. Headquartered out of Low Angeles, CA the company has more then 300 offices in 50 countries together with its partners and affiliate offices.

CB Richard Ellis has been doing business in Shanghai since the early 90's, and has emerged as a real estate leader. The corporation has created a reputation of providing professional consulting, agency and management services in office, residential, industrial and retail markets. CB Richard Ellis has a strong communication network amongst its varying offices in China to provide effective and efficient customer service nation wide.

The CB Richard Ellis Shanghai office offers the following services: asset services, corporate services, major investments, office services, global research and consulting, residential project marketing, residential services, and retail services.

Questions:
What has been CB Richard Ellis' most rewarding strategic move in doing business in China?
What has been CB Richard Ellis' least rewarding strategic move in doing business in China?
What does CB Richard Ellis' desire to draw from doing business in China within the next 5 years?

All contents of this post are drawn from the CB Richard Ellis website.

Price Waterhouse Coopers

"PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused services for public and private clients in order to build public trust and enhance value through the application of what we call Connected Thinking."

Founded in 1998, PricewaterhouseCoopers has grown to become the world's largest professional services firm. The company's main competitors include Deloitte Touche Tohatsu, Ernst & Young and KPMG. Together these corporations are the “Big Four” auditors. In the fiscal year of 2005, PricewaterhouseCoopers earned aggregated worldwide revenues of $20.3 billion. The company has over 130,000 employees in 148 countries across the globe, including China.

Questions:
What has been PricewaterhouseCoopers' most rewarding strategic move in doing business in China?
What has been PricewaterhouseCoopers' least rewarding strategic move in doing business in China?
What does PricewaterhouseCoopers desire draw from doing business in China within the next 5 years?

All contents of this post are drawn from the PricewaterhouseCoopers website.

Yantian Seaport & Logistics Center

The accessible location, wide water ways, and calm waters, of the Yantian seaport make it an ideal cross road for products entering and leaving China. Consequently, the port is considered one of four key international transitional deep-water ports, handling capacity has exceeded 30 million tons every year.

The Urban Development in China website describes the Yantian Seaport and Logistics very effectively: "Entrusted by the Shenzhen municipal government, Shenzhen Yantian Port Group Co., Ltd. is jointly in charge of the development, construction and management of Yantian Port District and its hinterland. Shenzhen Yantian Port Group Co. ,Ltd is an independent economic entity, possessing 1 public listed company,13 directly subordinate enterprises, 5 associated enterprises and 4 joint ventures. By the end of 1997, the total asset of the group has reached 8.5 billion Chinese Yuan and net asset 4.88 billion, which have respectively increased 49% and 53.4% than that of the previous year. The group is engaged in more than ten field such as port, railway, road, tunnel, motor transportation, real estate, commerce, water supply, customs declaration, project supervision, ship repair"

Questions:
Who are the joint venture partners with witch the Yantian Seaport and Logistics Center has collaborated?
How does the Yantian Seaport and Logistics Center manage conflicts of interest between the 4 differing joint ventures?
What does the Yantian Seaport and Logistics Center see for the future? Process improvement? Growth?
How many employees does the Yantian Seaport and Logistics Center currently employ?

All contents of this post are drawn from the Yantian Seaport & Logistics Center and Urban Development in China websites.

BBK Cell Phone Factory

Guangdong Po Po Ko Electronics Limited was established in 1995 with the support and assistance of local governments. The company today has three product categories including:
Digital audio-visual products- DVD players, portable DVD players, mini entertainment centers, etc...
Communications equipment products- cordless phones, digital cordless phones, cellular phones, etc...
Educational electronic products- electronic dictionaries, PDAs, digital accompanies listening devices, etc...

Guangdong Po Po Ko Electronics Limited products are sold domestically as well as internationally. The company attributes its success to a high-quality staff team, cost-effective management systems, an effective brand strategy, a powerful marketing network, and a complete after sales system. Furthermore, the company's mission is to provide quality products and services to customers, foster a harmonious and mutually respectful working atmosphere, to provide fair, reasonable and mutually beneficial cooperation to business partners, and to yield high returns to shareholders.

The company has complied with and implemented various management systems such as ISO 9001 international quality systems, MRPII, TQM, 5S management systems to ensure reasonable costs, quality, stability, and performance.

Questions:
In what ways have local governments supported and assisted the company in becoming what it is today?
How many production factories does Guangdong Po Po Ko Electronics Limited have? How large are they?
How do the three product lines fit together to yield a competitive edge for the corporation?
What are the difficulties in capturing the international market?

All contents of this post are drawn from the Guangdong Po Po Ko Electronics Limited website.