re: #204 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

The Germans really fell for the old “prospect of a long-term business relationship” ploy.

China has not yet adapted to the concepts of contractual obligations. Within China, business deals are closed on the basis of guanxi — personal connections and friendships — and not on promises committed to paper. For that reason, Chinese businesspeople consider arrangements with fellow Chinese far more important than those with foreigners, despite contractual agreements. And if you are a Chinese partner from a different hometown from the other partner(s), you are likely to be shafted as well.

I’ve heard of several Western entrepreneurs who have just given up doing business here, because potential Chinese partners never take them seriously.