Research & Analysis

The ancient capital is repositioning itself as northwest China’s technology and transportation hubby Virginia A. HulmeCapital of Shaanxi, Xi’an lies in the geographic center of China. More than 3,000 years old, Xi’an was China’s capital for more than 1,000 years and 13 dynasties. But there is more to this ancient city than the famed terracotta […]

Savvy foreign investors may wish to consider the benefits of this flexible investment structureby Paul H. FoltaDespite the attractiveness of China’s business and foreign investment environment, the country is not an easy place to do business. Foreign businesses that seek to enter the China market must consider a wide range of strategies and business structures—each […]

The Chinese beverage company’s expansion is no laughing matterby Paula M. MillerIf you’ve traveled in China, chances are you drank at least one bottle of Wahaha brand water, or perhaps the company’s iced tea, fruit drinks, or its Future Cola. Once you returned to the United States, you may even have come across Future Cola […]

The Swedish furniture retail giant is bringing its unique style—and sales model—to Chinaby Paula M. MillerFor a truly global experience, try stepping off the streets of Shanghai into one of IKEA’s largest outlets. Though the first item you see may have been made in China, it was more likely made in Vietnam, or if it […]

Addressing Labor Rights Problems in Chinaby Robert J. RosoffThe attraction of doing business in China is undeniable. The country’s low labor costs, in particular, enable companies to manufacture apparel, footwear, toys, and many other products very cheaply. China is also emerging as a large consumer market for many goods. At the same time, terrible labor […]

by Catherine Gelb and Dennis Chen For the last four years, the PRC government has been touting its Great Western Development Strategy (GWDS), an effort to improve the living standards of the 367 million Chinese, more than one-quarter of China’s population, who live far from prosperous coastal China. The strategy has included massive government funding […]