Day 9, Sept 13 (Shanghai)

This morning, we had a lecture at the University of Shanghai Science and Technology.  The topic was “How to avoid cultural trap in China” presented by Professor Xinju Wu. 

Professor Wu mentioned that foreign businessmen always found it difficult to do business in China because we had differences in language, culture, and regulations.  The characteristics of Chinese culture were cohesion, acceptance, and diversification. 

Cohesion: Family was oriented.  It was also highly centralized.  Father was the leader of the family.  He made all the decisions for the kids and for the family.

Acceptance: Chinese were greatly influenced by foreign culture.

Diversification: Cultural of various nationalities.  Northerners were simple, honest, and frank valuing friendship.  Beijing people were practical.  Southerners were meticulous, gentle, and good at doing business.  Shanghai people were smart. 

Dr Wu also talked about the characteristics of Chinese people.  They were humble.  Chinese respected modest people because they would hide not to show off.  They were not pointing out the shortcomings directly but rather tried to compromise to avoid troubles.  The most important was the interpersonal relations.  The way how to get along well with others was doing other special favors in advance to build up the social networks.  For example, offering gifts in wedding, birthday or any other festival celebrations were very normal for Chinese to appreciate other people’s help and built up the friendly relationships.  Moreover, saying things indirectly was more appropriate than saying “no” directly to people because it was so impolite.  Relations with colleagues should be no aggressive, no competitive in order to live in a harmony working environment.  Furthermore, if you won the friendship with someone, it would be easy to get a company contracts.  

Volkswagen Shanghai

Next stop was paying a visit at the Volkswagen Shanghai.  Volkswagen was the first car company to enter into the China market.  They were very successful to build up their reputation with the China government and the car users.  Therefore, they had a very good profit in China market.

Mission posted everywhere in the factory:
Quality is the life of Volkswagen Shanghai

First of all, we took a tram to take a company tour.  We went to different production areas to see how they made a car.  The most impressed me was in the body shop section because I could see the car figure coming out, not like the other sections, it might be a small part of the car which I could not tell which part it was.  I also discovered the company dividing the job into many different parts and applied the division of labors.  Some people might specialize in fixing the doors and some might specialize in painting the car or install the seats.  The company also used the high technology such as the robot hands to do some of the works.  The funniest thing was when we passed by the production line, the workers waved to us and we politely waved back at them. 

Night View in the Bund area

Tonight we had a dinner near the Bund area.   Facing the night view of the Bund made me have a good appetite.  After dinner, we walked and took pictures at the Bund area.  Although the day view and night view at the Bund were so different, they both were fascinating.

Day 15, Sept 19 (Beijing - Los Angeles)

Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square



This morning, we went to the main sightseeing points in Beijing: Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.  Last time, when I came was before 1989.  Since then, I did not come back until now.  So, to me, it was so meaningful to pay a visit again in these places. 

When I walked on the Tiananmen Square, so many memories crossed on my mind.  Students had hunger protests against the China government for democracy.  The China government sent the armies to suppress the protests.  A lot of people died in this event.  Some escaped to the other countries and some were caught by the China government for years of prison.  Those scenes kept crossing on my mind.  It was a sad story.  Until now, I still could not forget.  I remembered I was in Hong Kong at that time, I also went out to protest against the China government for his cruel, unreasonable, and brutal to suppress our people.    

High Tower in Forbidden City

Forbidden City along the lake

We passed Tiananmen Square and entered into the Forbidden City.  So many high towers were built to protect the palace against the enemies.  We walked through different halls where the emperor worked, studied, or slept.  All the halls were full of tourists.  It was difficult for me to squeeze in order to take pictures of inside. 

I was in the Forbidden City

After visiting the Forbidden City, I was ready to leave the group and headed to the airport to catch my flight to Chicago.  It was so difficult to catch a cab.    Luckily, I got Miranda’s help to catch a cab for me.  Otherwise, I really did not know how long I had to wait on the street for a cab. Cab driver in Beijing was picky on the passengers.  They only picked those passengers who went for the long journey.  There were 3 cab drivers refused to take me to the airport express train station until the last one.  He dropped me at the opposite side of the airport express train station and I had to carry 2 suitcases and 1 backpack walking through the subway tunnel.  There was no elevator or escalator but only stairs.  It was really killing me to carry so heavy suitcases walking up and down of the stairs.  My palms hurt. 

Beijing International Airport

When I arrived at the airport, I checked in as a standby passenger.  Around 3pm, I went back to the check in counter.  I knew the flight was overbooked but I still had to try my luck.  I prayed for the miracle happened that I could get a seat, no matter it was in the middle, window, or aisle.  Unfortunately, the miracle did not happen on me.  I called my friend in Hong Kong and told her I stuck in Beijing airport.  I did not think it was a good idea to go back to stay in downtown because I did not want to carry my heavy suitcases walking on the street up and down the stairs again. 

My nightmare just started at this moment.  I needed to stay overnight in the airport.  A phone company in China provided WIFI service for 5 hours only if I provided some personal information to them.  Luckily, there was a 24-hour MacDonald in the arrival hall, so I did not need to spend so much money on my lunch and dinner.  I also tried to find a spot where I could lie down comfortably.  Actually, there were so many benches having the arms and it would not be comfortable to rest.  However, I found one without arms.  I occupied 3 seats together.  I was anxious about my safety.  Those strange men around me which made me a little bit nervous plus I had to protect my personal belongings as well.  At night, the airport was freezing cold.  Of course, I did not really have a good sleep.  I kept praying the time could go faster and I could get on the flight back home tomorrow.      

Day 14, Sept 18 (Beijing)

Giant Panda House

Panda was so cute

Starting from today, we did not have any company’s visit.  We did not need to dress up and totally could enjoy the sightseeing in Beijing.  Hurrah!

In the morning, we visited the Giant Panda House in Beijing zoo.  I was so excited to see Panda because they were so cute.  Some of my classmates were also big fans of Panda.  They bought a tea set with Panda and a Christmas tree decoration with Panda. 

The souvenir shop was full of Panda dolls

Panda were solitary animals.  Apart from brief meetings with an opposite sex during mating seasons, they lived alone.  Generally, they were creatures of bamboo forests and lived in a mysterious life.  I found it so difficult to take pictures for Panda because they hardly moved, always using his back facing to the audience.  In the souvenir shop, there were many panda dolls look very attractive and cute.  Although I did not buy any, I took a picture with all different size and features of the panda. 

The Map of 13 Ming tombs

Next stop was Ming tombs.  There were 13 Ming tombs and we would visit Changling tomb (Zhu Di, or Emperor Yungle’s tomb) was the joint burial mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Di, the third emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, and his express Xushi.

 

Emperor Zhu Di

Zhu Di, a great talent, had made significant influence on the development of Chinese history. He built the royal mausoleum in Beijing as one part of his political arrangement.  The Ming Tombs, led by Chang Mausoleum, recorded the ups and downs of the royal families, and represented the highest architectural and craft level.  They were the precious heritage for both China and the world.  According to the past experience, protecting and inheriting the precious heritage would benefit the great renaissance of the Chinese nation.  





Hero of the Great Wall

Next stop was the Great Wall – Juyongguan.  As a famous ancient pass of the Great Wall in north Beijing, Juyongguan was a national priority protected site and an important part of the Great Wall which was inscribed on the World Heritage List.  I was extremely excited to climb Great Wall again.  The first time I climbed Great Wall was more than 20 years ago.  I still remembered the stone stairs were very slippery and there were only two chains on both sides as handles to help you balance yourself to climb.  At that time, there were not many souvenir shops built along the way and no certificates were issued as well.  Everything was so different and it became more commercial than before.  Furthermore, we did not have many classmates climbing all the way up to the top of the Great Wall – Juyongguan.  I was glad that I was the first girl and the 4^th in the group reached to the top.  We had only 5 girls, 7 boys, and Dr Kim made it all the way to the top.  We took a picture together on the top.  This was really unforgettable. 

Bird Nest



Water Cubic Stadium

Then we went to see the Olympic sites.  The most famous Olympic sports stadium in China: the Beijing National Stadium (Bird Nest) and the Water Cubic Stadium.  They were modern and abstract architectural buildings and a lot of Olympic games were held in there.  This location was also a big open area.  It was good for playing kites.  There were so many different length and patterns of kite flying in the sky.  It was stunning.   

It was stunning to see the kite flying in the sky

Tonight it was the last dinner I had with my classmates before heading back to LAX.  Everyone looked so tired after strenuous exercise.  My legs were so sore and I thought it was the best to take a shower in order to release my muscle pain.  In addition, we had to pack our suitcases for tomorrow’s departure.  Therefore, my roommate and I did not go to Houhai for a drink after dinner.   















Day 12, Sept 16 (Beijing)

China Beijing Equity Exchange

This morning, we went to China Beijing Equity Exchange.  We were so happy to have Mr Xiong Yan, Chairman of China Beijing Equity Exchange giving us a brief introduction on the operation of China Beijing Equity Exchange.

The operation in the Equity Exchange

China Beijing Equity Exchange (CBEX) was the leading equity transaction institution in China, providing the comprehensive information package needed to succeed in today’s Chinese financial market.  Currently, the ongoing globalized financial recession had caused numerous enterprises throughout the world to suffer from capital.  CBEX believed China would play a very important role during the recovery stages of the world’s economy, which gave an opportunity for the Chinese enterprises to participate in the context of economic globalization.  Meanwhile, Chinese government’s strategic internal-stimulate package and open policy had attracted on enormous volume of cross-border business opportunities for foreign investors. 

A meeting in China Beijing Equity Exchange 

Mr Yan emphasized the mission of CBEX was “Full Ranges of Assets Varieties Discovery.” The persistence of market-oriented policy, strength of data-based instrumentality and internationalism were the key to the success. 



CBEX provided the following services: policy consulting, information release, project recommendation, investment guidance, merger and acquisition planning, project financing, stock and asset management and authentication of equity exchange and promoting the asset restructure of enterprises with different ownerships, circulation of non-state-owned assets and bilateral merger and acquisition.        



A photo with Senior Management of Equity Exchange,
Dr Lin, & Dr Kim 

CBEX also tried to reduce administrative disposition in the market.  The effects of administrative disposition might devaluate assets, state-owned assets lost, or government credit crisis.  In addition, maintaining transparent equity market was also important. 

1.    Attract assignees on the largest extent.

2.     Cut off the special interests channel.

3.     Guarantee the public’s right to information.

4.     Protect of the party concerned.

In the afternoon, we went to one of the famous and well-known universities in Beijing – Beijing University. This campus was beautiful, quiet, and full of lively vegetation.  There was a lake called “no name yet”, giving the visitors a feeling of mysterious about this place.    

"No Name Yet" Lake



Beijing University

 At night, we went to see a shadow show at a traditional Chinese tea house.  This was not only a shadow show, but also a music show.  There were 4 girls playing the popular western music using traditional Chinese music instruments.  All of us expected the show last for the whole dinner.  However, the performance ended after playing a few songs and one shadow show.  It made us quite disappointed.



Shadow Show





Day 11, Sept 15 (Beijing)

MRI Technology

For all the company’s visit in Beijing, we were instructed to wear business attire. Early morning, I saw all our classmates dressed up tidy ready to go to our first company’s visit in Beijing - Wandong Medical Equipment Ltd.  This company was a professional worldwide supplier of MRI technology and radiology.  Annual production of medical equipment was 6000 units.  Its products exported to more than 50 countries and regions, especially high-ended products.  It also won more than 100 government contracts around different cities in China.

X-ray Equipment

Moreover, we had a chance to see the new MRI and X-ray equipment on how they produced and how they operated.  After visiting the showroom of the new equipment, there was a 2^nd part of presentation by the Director of Marketing.  Wangdong Medical Equipment Ltd became a publicly traded at Shanghai Stock Exchange in May 1999.  Wangdong was the leader of local manufacturing medical equipment in China.  Making good life and health for the public and profit to the shareholders was the mission of Wangdong.  The company emphasized in research and development of the products, so it had project cooperation with Tsing Hua University, Beijing University, and China government to innovate more advanced equipment.  Moreover, the quality and assurance control of Wangdong medical equipment was up to ISO9001 standard.  Wangdong received many products qualified certification in order to expand and develop its international market around the world.  Thus, its sales revenue kept growing without affected by the economic crisis.



CSUSB baskball team members
Nick, Manuel, Travis, AJ, Mauricio, and Louis

After lunch, we went shopping for a while.  Everybody left the shopping mall with hands full of souvenirs.  Then, we went to the sports stadium to have a basketball tournament with China Capital Steel Company.  Our CSUSB team members were Nick, Manuel, Travis, AJ, Mauricio, and Louis.  Our team did not practice or play together as a team before, so they might not play well in a team.  However, the opposing team had been practiced for a long time.  They played well and knew each other’s skills and positions well in the team.  It was not surprised that they could play better than us.  Although we lost in the first half around, our team played better and better.  In the 2^nd half round, all the team members played so hard to catch the ball, pass, and run around in order to make a basket.  In a certain time, our team won by 6 points ahead.  Unfortunately, our team finally lost 5 points to end this tournament.      



The host toasted us for welcoming to Beijing



At night, we were so happy to be invited for a dinner by China Capital Steel Company.   My classmate – Andrea wore a traditional Chinese long dress with Jade accessories.  She looked pretty and was invited by the host to sit at the head table.  It was a great honor for her to be seated next to the host. 

Dr Lin toasted the host for the warm hospitality

To show a good and friendly "guan xi” between CSUSB and China Capital Steel Company, the host toasted us first for welcoming to Beijing.  Then, Dr Lin on behalf of CSUSB toasted the host for the warm hospitality.  Chinese liked drinking in order to build up a close business relationship.  Tonight, I saw our classmates showing a great respect to our host.  We not only on behalf of CSUSB presented gifts and gave speech to appreciate our host’s invitation, but also respectfully accepted all the toasts.  I was sure we all learnt well in Chinese culture during these few days in China.  At last, each of us also received a box of moon cakes from the host as a gift to celebrate for mid-autumn festival.                

Day 10, Sept 14 (Shanghai - Beijing)

Shanghai Museum

Today was the last day in Shanghai.  The last sightseeing point in Shanghai was Shanghai Museum.  It was a world-famous museum of ancient Chinese art.  The building was shaped with a square base and a round top attached with arches like a bronze Ding, indicating the earth was square while the sky was round.  In front of the building, there were eight imposing white marble statues of guardian lions standing.  Moreover, there were nearly 130,000 pieces of national treasures in the collection of the museum such as bronzes, calligraphy, paints, jade, and ivory work etc.  This was a good place to experience the brilliant history and enjoyed the fabulous artistic creation of China.



The willows dominate the painting creating a cathedral effect.
The painting dates from the Ming period

However, we only had an hour to walk around the museum, so I picked my favorite one, Chinese painting.  I did a presentation before about Chinese paintings when I had my class of Studies in Art.  Since then, I love Chinese landscape paintings.  It made me feel so relaxed and enjoyable.  When I looked at the paintings, it made me feel like I was into the paintings

During the Tang and Song dynasties, Chinese painting matured and fully developed.  Figure paints emphasized the internal quality of painting.  Landscape painting was divided into two major styles: the blue and green, landscape and the ink-and-wash landscape.  Many different regional styles emerged.  Various expressive painting techniques were created in flower-and-bird paintings: realistic meticulous painting with color, ink and wash painting with light color, and boneless ink-wash painting. 

After that, we headed to Hong Qiao airport to fly to Beijing.  The flight time was about 2 hours.  As this was a domestic fight, the weight of suitcase was limited in 44 pounds = 20kg.  I had to take out something from my suitcase and moved to my carry-on bag.  My carry-on bag was heavy and made my shoulder hurt.



Peking Duck



After we arrived at Beijing airport, we headed to taste the most famous local food in Beijing called Peking duck.  It was a pancake wrapping with a few pieces of duck meat, cucumber, green onion, and special sauce.  It was always good to try something different and special.  My Mexican classmate liked it so much because Peking duck is just like a taco.



Novotel Beijing Peace Hotel



After dinner, we checked in at the Novotel Beijing Peace Hotel.  Everyone was exhausted after such a long trip, so no one seemed to be interested to go out for a drink any more.

     

Day 6, Sept 10 (Shanghai)

I had a buffet breakfast on the 2^nd floor.  There was a variety of food provided.  It was so delicious.  I liked it so much.

University of Shanghai Science and Technology

Today, we had a lecture at the University of Shanghai Science and Technology.  We departed from the hotel around 7:45am but the traffic was terrible in the morning.  We arrived half hour late at the university.  I still remembered when I went to Shanghai the beginning of this year before Expo commenced.  The traffic was not that bad because there were not many tourists.  In addition, I always took subway rather than road transportation, so I could avoid the traffic.

We were happy to invite Professor Li from business school at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology to have a brief introduction about doing business in China. 

Firstly, Professor Li gave us some background information about China.  The population in China was about 1.33 billion.  China had “one child” policy to limit the growth, so the parents paid more attention on their child’s education.  The estimated population would peak to 1.47 billion at 2040.  People in south and east coastal regions were wealthier than the people in north and west.  The population problem that China would be facing was aging and declining births. 

GDP’s growth in China declined under global economic slowdown (2008 – 2010).  In 2009, the growth is 8.7%.  Foreign direct investment declined, unemployment rate was high, and export and import also declined.  However, the China government had a stimulus package to increase more construction plans in order to boost up the consumer confidence index.    

There were a few reasons that we should do business in China:

   

Significant size of the company

Growth resiliency

Maturation of reforms and opening up

Entry into WTO

A global low cost manufacturing base

Low cost engineering talent, skilled labor, and high quality

This presentation made me more understanding about China and how to do business in China.

Omron Corporation

Then, we visited Omron Corporation.  It was a Japanese company based in Shanghai producing automatic control system, sensors such as motion control, temperature controllers, and safety sensors.  Omron promoted zero inventory called pull system.  It meant the inventory just kept the minimum stock.  When the customer ordered the products, the first they would clear the stock then ordered the products from headquarters.  That was why the location of the stock and headquarters were very close by. 

We walked through the production line and there was a team cycle which made me so impressed.  One person started the process and also the same person finished the process.  He / she was the one who would be responsible to make sure the product was workable and safe to use.

Acrobatic Show

Omron also provided different levels of trainings to the employees to make sure they were capable to work different sections in the production line.  That would help to reduce claiming overtime or cause uneven distribution of workload.  Omron provided a strict quality control on their products.  They treated employees well.  All meals were free and dormitory was provided as well.  They provided all the tools to make sure employees work in a safe environment.       



7 Motorbikes riding in a small-rounded cage

Tonight, we went to see acrobatic show.  There were several tour groups going to see this show.  Although I used to see acrobatic on the TV show when I was in Hong Kong, this would be my 2^nd time to see acrobatic on live.  I liked the last part was at least 7 motorbikes getting into a small-rounded cage.  They speeded up and made the colorful front and back lights on.  It was dangerous if one of them drove the wrong way, it might cause the others crashing each other.  As a whole, it was a good show.      

Day 3, Sept 7 (Hsin Chu, Tam Sui – Taiwan)

Visiting Promise Technology, Inc.

This morning, we went to Hsin Chu to visit a Taiwanese International Company – Promise Technology, Inc.  This is a leading supplier of digital storage system.  I was so impressed on their product DLNA.  With DLNA, various devices could connect to share music, pictures and videos from anywhere in the home at anytime.  This company was so successful because they provided world class services and support to their customers.  They had branches around the world and each of them had their own marketing strategies in order to cater for different customers’ needs in different parts of the world.  

Science Park Exploration Museum

Then, we went to Science Park Exploration Museum to see the development process of high-technical industry.  The museum displayed some computer products that we no longer used now, such as the very old style keyboard, mouse, IC chips, and ink cartridge.  At the same time, it also displayed some new technologies such as a digital language dictionary.  It could speak and translate different languages.  That was very useful for people who had businesses around the world.  Moreover, all the display products were available for us to touch and experience them. 

I drove the Eco-vehicle

Next, we went to the Eco-city.  Through the innovative operational mechanism, various technological teams, companies and hospital consortium in the Smart Living Technology Regional Center integrated by National Chiao Tung University, they all worked together to form diverse ecosystems for different types of industry.  In the tour of Eco-city, most of the high technical products were for the elderly such as the Eco-vehicle.  This vehicle has installed side anti-collision apparatus, dynamic image guidance for vehicle reverse, and alcohol detecting system.  Last but not least, they also had Eco-house and Eco-life which made your life easier, comfortable, and safe.

Dr Chen introduced the virtual stock exchange system

The last stop was National Chiao Tung University.  Dr Chen introduced the program of Financial Investment Decision Support Research and Education.  The characteristic of this program used a virtual stock exchange system to teach the students how to make investment in the stock markets.  The stock exchange program was connected to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai stock markets.   It was an active and practical education program for students who could apply what they learnt in the near future.



Jerry and Nike tried stinky tofu



At night, we headed to Tam Sui.  Tam Sui was an old town close to the river.  There was an old street which was also very famous for shopping and eating.  After dinner, Dr Kim, the Taiwanese students, 4 of my classmates, and I went to the old street for a walk.  American classmates tried the stinky tofu but they did not enjoy it at all.  I bought a cup of iced green tea and spicy fish chip snack.  The others also bought some other local snacks and shared with all of us.  Personally, I liked all Taiwanese food.  It made me feel like I was back to my sweet home – Hong Kong. 

Day 2, Sept 6 (Chia Yi, Taiwan)



Dr Frank Lin presented a gift to Dr Mike Cheng



Today, we had a lecture in National Chung Cheng University.  We were so happy to have an opportunity to meet Dr Mike Cheng, Associate Professor in Department of Business Administration, who offered a lecture to all of us about “A Promising Economic Vision of Taiwan: To see Through Taiwan’s Industrial Structure.”

Taiwan had a stable and competitive economy rated as no. 12 as global competitiveness according to World Economic Forum.  Its successful reasons were as follows:

1.     Highly innovative: fully developed into an innovation-driven economy.  Strong intellectual property protection.

2.     Strong human resources: more universities were built for scientific education.

3.     Deep technology clusters: Taiwan Government promoted high technology such as high speed train, science parks.

4.     Strong outbound FDI

5.     Gateway to China: Taiwan was the strongest democracy, freedom of speech of any Chinese-speaking country and had the most experiences to do businesses with China.  Foreign company might be interested to partner with Taiwanese company in order to get a business in China.

Learning the Art of Tea

 

The 2^nd section of the lecture was about learning the art of tea.  A professor came to teach us how to properly brew a pot of tea.  There were 3 factors to consider in producing a good brew:

1.     Amount of tea leaves to be used: a small teapot should be filled to 1/5 capacity with  dried leaves.

2.     Water temperature: 90-100 Celsius

3.     Brewing time: the first 3 brews should be no more than 50 seconds.



National Chung Cheng University

Learning the art of tea could also help us to relax, refresh, and energetic.

 

Visiting AGV Products Corporation



After lunch, we had a short tour in National Chung Cheng University.  This campus was located in the central part of Chai Yi County.  Different architectural styles of buildings were surrounded by tall trees, green spaces along the roads.  It was a very beautiful campus like the ones in Cambridge.  Then, we visited AGV Products Corporation.  Its product lines included traditional foods, Chinese condiments, recreational snacks, health drinks, and dairy products.  Through more than 3 decades of effort, AGV had established a reputation for healthy food products among most Taiwanese people.  AGV now was planning to expand their business in other countries.  Next, it was shopping time.  We went to Nice Matsuya Department Store.  It was the first Japanese-style department store in Chia Yi.  I did not shop a lot because it was not as cheap as I thought and my classmates also agreed with that. 

Welcome dinner in this Chinese architectural style restaurant 

At night, we went to a fancy restaurant with Chinese architectural style for a welcome dinner.  A lot of professors in National Chung Cheng University also came to the dinner as well.  As a Chinese, I liked the food a lot because they were valuable and delicious, such as sushimi, abalone, black chicken soup.  However, my classmates did not really enjoy the food.  Some of them might try a little bit.  Some of them did not even dare to try.  Therefore, I could enjoy most of the food but still there were so many leftover.  What the professors and students enjoyed most in the dinner was karaoke.  It really made me so impressed that our professors could have such a good talent in singing and dancing.  Everybody was really into the show.  The dinner was full of laugh and fun.      



Dr Cheng sang and Dr Lin danced at the background. 



Dr Kim enjoyed Karaoke