“Taking a trip to China,” American President Richard Nixon observed before his momentous visit to the People’s Republic in February 1972, “is like going to the moon.”

Think of China and you inevitably think of Beijing and Shanghai. The two cities are at the forefront of China’s astonishing economic expansion and subsequently its new global image. On the surface they may appear very similar, but in reality there are many differences between these two Eastern giants.

Culture & Attractions

Most elements of Chinese culture are to be found in the North of the country, especially situated in or around Beijing. This is not to say that Shanghai lacks any culture, far from it in fact, the futuristic and shiny architecture of Shanghai’s rapidly expanding Pudong skyline is a different cultural experience altogether, one that represents just how international and forward-thinking the city is. Rather than being able to visit Beijing’s traditional Hutongs on your lunch break, the Shanghai experience tends to consist more of Starbucks and McDonald’s.

Beijing, meanwhile, combines both the future with the past. The truly awe-inspiring Birds Nest Stadium is now arguably just as synonymous with Beijing as the Forbidden Palace or Tiannamen Square. Naturally, being the capital of China for centuries, there is a great deal more history in Beijing than in Shanghai. Staying in the former allows you to visit the Great …

Euro, Eurozone, EU, Europe. Taking the Dragon’s share of headlines, debate, crisis meetings and fears of the undetermined future. Following the daily commotion in the EU, the UK’s recent veto on EU reforms and its consequent self-appointment to the far periphery of Europe, the EU and the UK’s relations with China are set to take a new direction. Sino-European relations hold crucial importance as China significantly increased its investment in European sovereign debt earlier this year. Today, in what seems to be an almost hopeless situation around the euro, looking East for help is not only a wise option, but perhaps the only solution.

For decades now, there has been considerable effort to strengthen and enhance Sino-European ties, with diplomatic relations with China being formally established in 1975 and governed by the 1985 EU-China Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This rapprochement between the two powers culminated in the setting up in 1988 of a European delegation in Beijing. Despite persistent tensions on human rights issues, relations with China have continuously deepened including support for China’s accession to the WTO in 2001. By launching a ‘strategic partnership’ in 2003, the EU clearly acknowledged China as a key player in the global arena.…

As a company that specialises in both consultancy and internships, this is a topic very close to our heart: more and more businesses in China, both domestic and international, are embracing the idea of utilising interns to within their company – but what are the tangible benefits and how do you get the best out of your unpaid staff?

Why Hire An International Intern?

Of course, the most obvious reason for hiring interns is the opportunity to gain valuable short-term resource at little or no cost. But young people who undertake international internships are usually ambitious, fearless and keen to learn, which means that their qualities that not only make business sense but also have the ability to really increase the productivity of your company.

On top of this, many of our own Shanghai interns and Beijing interns have a long term view to living and working in China, so hiring interns can be an excellent way of finding and observing high quality candidates for long-term employment. This is especially useful for small to medium sized businesses: while bigger operations can run expensive graduate schemes, for a smaller company finding an employee who is smart, well qualified and interested …

In today’s highly competitive employment market, students and graduates really need to differentiate themselves from the competition. It’s widely recognised that internships can add great value to your CV as evidence that you’ve consolidated your academic background with real industry knowledge, but it’s about much more than getting an edge in your future career. An internship abroad can be one of the smartest choices you’ll ever make, especially if you know exactly what you’re looking for…

The best international internship programs, including all of those run by CRCC Asia, fulfil the following criteria:

• Provide an opportunity to integrate career experience with social opportunities
• Provide the opportunity to live and work in a dynamic new environment
• Provide challenging, diverse placements in a wide range of sectors
• Expertly planned and scheduled to ensure the best value and greatest benefit
• Include in-country training to enable each intern to fully understand their role and opportunities
• Provide a balance of social, cultural and professional opportunities

What will you gain from an international internship with CRCC Asia?

• By choosing to intern abroad rather than in your home country you’ll demonstrate ambition, flexibility and the ability to adapt to new environments quickly – all crucial skills for

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China is well known for its unique business environment and culture. For many western businessmen and women looking to make the most of this booming economy, these cultural business barriers can stop a company or individual reaching their full potential in the Chinese marketplace.

After working in China for many years, it is clear to me that a firm grasp of the differences between Chinese and western business etiquette and culture can be invaluable in building business contacts.

1) It’s not what you know

Don’t underestimate the importance of guanxi, the network of connections that allows things to get done. Thousands of years of family-oriented culture, coupled with more recent periods of shortages where you needed good connections to get essential products, has resulted in an enduring concept of guanxi.

2) Show respect

More so than in the West, showing repect -or Mianzi-is all-important. You need to know and use the correct form of address during greetings, meals, drinks or conversations. If you’re asked “Don’t you find the pollution in China terrible?” a truthful but respectful response could be “Well, it’s bad, but given China’s fast economic growth, it’s understandable”.

3) Eat well

Expect to be taken out to eat, …