Practicing proper Chinese business etiquette will greatly benefit you when expanding into new Chinese markets. To ensure your success with modern Chinese business transactions, be familiar with proper Chinese business etiquette. When you are confident in the proper Chinese business etiquette procedures, you will gain new partners and clients in this northern country that will bring success for your business. Easily impress your Chinese colleagues with your awareness of their values and your confidence in proper etiquette to further enhance your network across the Chinese market.

1. Foreign Staffing, Inc.

2.  Practicing proper Chinese
business etiquette will greatly
benefit you when expanding
into new Chinese markets.
 To ensure your success with
modern Chinese business
transactions, be familiar with
proper Chinese business
etiquette.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
 When you are confident in the proper Chinese business etiquette procedures, you
will gain new partners and clients in this northern country that will bring success
for your business.
 Easily impress your Chinese colleagues with your awareness of their values and
your confidence in proper etiquette to further enhance your network across the
Chinese market.

3.  Always use a formal introduction; routine
procedure should include greeting the
highest ranked person first.
 Always use titles such as Mr., Mrs.,
Professor, etc. when addressing your
Chinese business partners.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

4.  A light, yet confident
handshake is important.
Aggressive handshakes can be
considered offensive and are
unsuitable for a business
meeting.
 It is important to establish a fundamental business relationship. Start with small
talk before you move into the specific business matter.
 Avoid personal contact such as a “pat on the back”. Avoid pointing when you
speak. If it is necessary to indicate, be sure to use an open palm rather than the
one index finger.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

5.  Business cards are to be exchanged first, using
BOTH hands when handing over and receiving a
card. The business card exchange is a ritual of
respect and dignity.
 To avoid insulting Chinese business people,
never put the business card into your wallet
and/or back pocket. Be sure to study the card
and then simply lay it in front of you on the table
or desk.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

6.  For your Chinese colleagues, watching the
way you handle their business card is, to
some degree, an indication of how you will
handle your future relationship: will you be
careful and respectful or insensitive and brash.
 Get a Chinese Translation of your business
cards which will demonstrate to your
colleagues that you are diligent, respectful,
and industrious.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

7.  Be aware of the time zone
UTC +8 (13 hours ahead of
Washington, DC standard
time). Even though China is a
huge territory, it is all
contained within ONE time
zone.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

8.  Along with avoiding personal contact,
also avoid a great deal direct eye contact.
 Avoid offering gifts, as they can be seen
as a form of bribery to your Chinese
colleagues.
 Never directly use the word “no”. Be
gentle and seek an alternate phrase that
does not imply a closed option. Try
something along the lines of “I’ll look into
it” or “Yes, it’s a possibility”.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

9.  Women, be sure to wear cover the body
carefully without exposing cleavage. Also,
keep heel height to an absolute minimum.
 Men should always wear full business suits,
including jackets.
 Avoid vivid colors, as it is safer to lean
toward conservative options.
CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE