Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Doing Business in China

5. Put everything in writing. Be sure that your instructions, blueprints and work orders are clear and detailed.  Confirm everything via email and continue to correspond until you are absolutely certain that the Chinese understand your instructions completely.  If they don’t understand, they will probably do nothing or make errors.

6. Tour the factory, with an agenda. Many Westerners tour factories and have a cursory look inside. Unfortunately, what you don’t see or don’t ask about will inevitably come back to haunt you.  You should plan the tour before you go.  What exactly do you want to see?  What questions will you ask?

7. Don’t depend on the legal system. If you have a problem with a Chinese contract, don’t expect the legal system to help.  In the extraordinary chance you got a favorable judgment, it is very unlikely that it would be enforced.  It’s better to plan up front how you will handle disputes without legal assistance.