CHINA

China is situated in eastern Asia, bounded by the Pacific in the east. The third largest country in the world. Total Population is 1.30756 billion (2005) about 22% of total population in the world. China, one of the four oldest civilizations in the world, has a written history of 4,000 years and boasts rich cultural relics and historical sites. It is the inventor of compass, paper-making, gunpowder and printing. The great wall, Grand Canal and Karez irrigation system are three great ancient engineering projects built 2,000 years ago. Now they are the symbols of the rich culture of the Chinese nation. China has gone over a long history of primitive society, slavery society, feudal society and semi-feudal semi-colonial society and the present socialist society.

The national language is Mandarin, which is one of the five working languages at the United Nations. Most of the 55 minority nationalities have their own languages. Cantonese is one of the local dialects of southern China.

China is a multi-religious country. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism, with the first three being more wide spread.

Being such a diverse country, is very important to have into account some aspects when negotiating. Companies have a high centralization and the country itself is built on a strong sense of pride in their ancient history and culture. Some main issues for them are: punctuality,trust, the hierarchical structure, create long-term relationships, the collectivism.

China still is a matter of study, not only in college, but also in schools and companies, many people has the need to undestrand this magnificent culture, the unbelievable economic development, the technological advances and so on and I think it will continue for many more years.

How is the employment situation nowdays?

"Generating enough jobs for the masses of newly minted capitalists who emerge from China's university system has for years been a challenge. Last year, about one-third of college grads went jobless for at least six months after graduation, according to government estimates. This year's crop of 5.6 million grads--740,000 more than last year--is the largest ever, and the tsunami of able bodies is washing into the market just as China's economy is faltering"

"Officially, China's unemployment rate is a relatively healthy 4.2%, but government statistics are dodgy, in part because significant numbers of China's millions of migrant workers go uncounted. The slowdown is a cause for national, not just provincial, concern."

"China's job-market woes won't be solved by high economic growth alone. There are persistent problems within China's higher-education system that are of mounting concern."


Not-So-Great Expectations
Bill Powell. Time International. (Atlantic ed.). New York: Sep 1, 2008. Vol. 172, Iss. 9; pg. 41