China Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in china, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Business Travel
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Business Customs

China’s business culture emphasizes personal trust in business relationships, a concept known as guanxi. Accordingly, the business culture places a premium on face-to-face connections, and traveling to China to meet with potential partners and customers can be an important part of the business development process (see Selling Factors & Techniques for a detailed discussion of guanxi and Chinese business culture). When travelling, it is important to carry business/name cards, which continue to be a part of Chinese business culture and can be exchanged upon meeting new business contacts. The card should be held in both hands when offering to the other person; offering it with one hand is considered ill mannered. When receiving a card, use two hands and study it before continuing. With China’s shift towards a digital society, the exchange of contact information via WeChat is increasingly common – particularly among younger business professionals. In some cases, businesspeople and government officials no longer regularly carry business cards with them. It is important to have business cards available, but you should also expect that a new contact may not have any to exchange.
 

Travel Advisory

The threat level for the PRC is considered low for crime and terrorism. However, Americans should exercise increased caution when traveling to Mainland China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans. Foreigners, including but not limited to businesspeople, former foreign-government personnel, academics, relatives of Chinese citizens involved in legal disputes, and journalists have been interrogated and detained by PRC officials for alleged violations of PRC national security laws. Authorities have broad discretion to deem a wide range of documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage. There is increased official scrutiny of U.S. and third-country firms, such as professional service and due diligence companies, operating in China. Security personnel could detain U.S. citizens or subject them to prosecution for conducting research or accessing publicly available material inside China or for sending private electronic messages critical of the Chinese, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR governments. The Chinese government has used restrictions on travel or departure from China, or so-called exit bans, to compel individuals to participate in government investigations; pressure family members of the restricted individual to return to China from abroad; resolve civil disputes in favor of Chinese citizens; and gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.

For the current China travel advisory, please visit travel.state.gov. 

For the most up-to-date information related to traveling and living in China, please see the U.S. Department of State section on China International Travel Information.
 

Cybersecurity

There is no expectation of privacy in China. The Chinese government has the capability to monitor all devices connected to the internet. China is known for the use of sophisticated cyber capabilities, including spear phishing, targeting of mobile devices, social engineering, and network manipulation. Viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware are common.  

Social media accounts are widely monitored in China. Chinese law allows local authorities to use information they deem controversial against both the poster of the material and the host of the social media forum. Individuals have also been held responsible for the content that others place within social media spaces they control. The government proactively monitors all media outlets and will temporarily block international media outlets during broadcasts of news stories considered unfavorable to the Chinese government. This includes international news organizations like CNN, BBC, and France 24.  

The government controls the internet within China and restricts access to some common internet sites based outside of China. The State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) frequently report incidents involving restricted bandwidth or high latency, which makes email and internet browsing frustratingly slow.  

Information security is an organization-wide challenge that merges both physical and cyber security. Organizations must develop a holistic approach to defend against a perceived increase in cybersecurity threats, including the following basic countermeasures:   

  • Use “burner” devices that have limited information on them and can be erased or discarded after a trip is complete.
  • Minimize the number of mobile devices you carry, and keep devices with you at all times to maintain their integrity.  
  • Do not accept electronic gifts, including USB devices, including from apparently benign sources.  
  • Enable two-factor authentication for email and apps, including social media.  

While Hong Kong is not yet subject to the same cybersecurity laws as mainland China, travelers to Hong Kong should act as if they have no expectation of privacy when it comes to electronic communications.
 

Travel Documents

Participants attending trade shows, participating in exhibitions, or meeting with business partners need to obtain an “M” business visa for temporary entry to China and travel within the country. In August 2023, China’s Ministry of Public Security introduced new measures to enable foreign nationals traveling to China for business purposes to apply for a landing visa using an invitation letter and other supporting materials.  U.S. citizens may be eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit if continuing to a third country. Travelers should pay special attention to internal travel restrictions placed by border officials and violations may result in fines. For details, travelers should contact their nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

When visiting China, keep in mind: 

  • Visitors arriving without valid passports and Chinese visas are not permitted to enter China and may also be subject to fines.   
     
  • Visitors traveling to China on a single-entry visa must remember that trips to Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions are treated as a visit outside Mainland China. If the traveler tries to return to Mainland China after a visit to one of these two destinations but only has a single-entry visa, they will be denied entry. Visitors facing this situation should apply for a new visa at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the China Travel Service in Hong Kong to re-enter China.  
     
  • Transit through China without a visa is permitted in some circumstances. See the visa requirement section below for details. Before travel, always check your itinerary and the most recent Chinese visa regulations to be sure your trip meets the regulations.  China has a visa waiver program for some countries, but currently not for the United States.
     
  • Recent travel advisories and other useful information can be found on the U.S. State Department’s travel website.
     
  • When traveling internationally, it is recommended to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), in order to receive important safety and security notifications and so the U.S. Embassy/Consulate can reach you in the event of an emergency. 

Visa Requirements

For the most up-to-date entry, exit, and transit requirements, please visit the Information on Chinese Visas section of the PRC Embassy website. Additionally, you may contact the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C. for specific information on China’s immigration and nationality laws.
 

Currency

The People’s Republic of China’s currency is officially called the Renminbi (RMB) and is also known as the Yuan, or colloquially as the Kuai.

Cashless Payments

China’s merchants almost exclusively utilize cashless transactions. While credit cards are often accepted at international hotels and/or expat-friendly restaurants, many stores, shops, and restaurants only accept payments via Alipay and/or WeChat Pay. Both can be accessed through a mobile phone app that can be linked to a Chinese or foreign bank card. Some vendors may still not accept Alipay or WeChat payments that are only linked to a foreign bank card. In these cases, the pre-paid Alipay TourPass can facilitate Alipay use through the Bank of Shanghai for up to 90 days (can continue to renew for 90 day periods).
 

Telecommunications

International and domestic phone calls can be made with little difficulty in China. Chinese SIM cards are widely available and must be tied to a passport number. Phones can be rented at the airport arrival terminals for short term use.  

Calling China from the United States 

When calling China, the country code is 86. Below are city codes for major cities where the U.S. Government has an Embassy or Consulate: 

  • Beijing: 10
  • Guangzhou: 20
  • Shanghai: 21
  • Shenyang: 24
  • Wuhan: 27
  • Hong Kong: 852 

For calls made within China, add a “0” before the city code.  
Local Directory Assistance (some English): 114 

Other Numbers (Emergencies) 
U.S. Embassy: 86-10-8531-3000.  
Within Beijing, dial 8531-4000 (American Citizen Services) and listen for the menu options. 

Additional important information, including travel advisories, can be found at the U.S. Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy website.  

Emergency/Fire (Chinese & English): 119 
Police (Chinese & English): 110  
Medical Emergency (Chinese & English): 120 

Telecommunications Privacy  

All visitors should be aware that they have no expectation of privacy in public or private locations. The U.S. Embassy regularly receives reports of human and technical monitoring of U.S. citizens. 

All hotel rooms and offices are subject to on-site or remote technical monitoring at all times. Hotel rooms, residences, and offices may be accessed at any time without the occupants’ consent or knowledge. Elevators and public areas of housing compounds are also under continuous surveillance. 

All means of communication—telephones, mobile phones, faxes, e-mails, text messages, etc.—are likely monitored and likely accessed by other parties. The government has access to the infrastructure operated by the limited number of internet service providers (ISPs) and wireless providers. Wireless access to the Internet in major metropolitan areas is extremely common. When traveling to China, it is advised to bring only the bare minimum electronic equipment, with minimal and only necessary company information, and to reset electronic devices completely upon departure. 
 

Transportation

Taxi
Taxi transportation is easily arranged at airports and hotels. Hotel concierge desks have cards with the name and address of the hotel in Chinese and will often assist with giving instructions to the taxi driver. Metered taxis can be challenging to hail on the street without the use of a mobile app. Taxi drivers do not speak English and do not take credit cards.   

Ride Hailing Services 
Various ride hailing mobile apps are available in China. Some services, including DiDi and ShouYue, have an English version that can be linked to a foreign credit card as well as a foreign phone number. These apps tend to be similar in price to metered taxis, if not cheaper. Many cars are metered, with an estimate given before starting the trip which may be adjusted upon completion of the trip. Payment is made through the app. Ride hailing services may also be accessed through Alipay and WeChat mini apps.  

Air Travel 
Air travel to and from China was severely impacted by the PRC’s COVID-19 prevention policies, and despite recent increases, flight frequencies remain below pre-pandemic levels. 

High-Speed Trains 
The Chinese government has significantly invested into China’s rail transportation system, and it is one of the largest and most efficient systems in the world. Trains are a popular and convenient transportation option, offering several classes of services including business class, which is the most comfortable (and most expensive) option.  

Language 
Mandarin Chinese is the national language. Other than Mandarin, there are six major Chinese dialects, as well as numerous local dialects. 

Pinyin refers to the standardized Romanization system used to represent the pronunciation of Chinese characters. 

For business purposes, it is important to provide contacts with bilingual business cards, usually with Chinese characters on one side, English on the other. Titles and company names should be translated with care into Chinese to ensure a positive meaning. 
 

Health

Western-style medical facilities with international staff are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and a few other large cities. Many other hospitals in major Chinese cities have so-called VIP wards. These feature reasonably up-to-date medical technology and physicians who are both knowledgeable and skilled. Most VIP wards also provide medical services to foreigners and have English-speaking doctors and nurses. 

Most hospitals in China will not accept medical insurance from the United States. Prior to departing for China, travelers are advised to consult the Travelers’ Health section published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Medical Assistance page on the U.S Embassy Beijing website. 
 

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Time throughout China is set to Beijing time, which is eight hours ahead of GMT/UTC. When it is noon in Beijing it is also noon in far-off Lhasa, Urumqi, and all other parts of the country. However, Western China does follow a later work schedule to coincide with daylight hours. 

Business Hours

China officially has a five-day work week, although some businesses stretch to six days. Offices and government departments are normally open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with some closing for one or two hours in the middle of the day. 

Embassy Holidays

The Embassy is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Embassy Holiday Calendar lists the American and Chinese holidays observed by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. 
 

Temporary Entry of Materials for Personal Use

Reasonable quantities of items for personal use by short-term visitors may be imported duty-free. Travelers will notice that China Customs officials at the airports conduct random baggage searches upon arrival.  Please see the China Customs website for the official list of items that need to be declared or are otherwise restricted for both inbound and outbound passenger travel. 

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