A new book: “De Essentie van China” – Jeanne Boden

Sorry, this one is in Dutch. But I’ll comment in English. Click here (De_essentie_van_China.pdf) to have the official introduction (in Dutch) of Jeanne’s book.
Yeah, I know, one more about China. So, I am starting a new section on my blog dedicated to all those China specialists and their insights.
As Jeanne is from my home town – Ghent, Belgium – she gets my special attention. As she also uses an Apple laptop, she deserves it even more.
On Monday 25 September our Belgian ambassador, Bernard Pierre, opened his embassy for Jeanne to introduce her book. He opens his embassy A LOT recently, can’t criticize him for not reaching out to the Belgian community… The room was well filled with an attentive Dutch speaking audience.

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The ambassador introducing Jeanne, Jeanne talking about Chinese onions and Jeanne with her book.

Let me be straight – I was expecting the usual ramblings about how to behave here and do business. Well, she came with a very different angle, very much focused on the cultural and philosophical impact that Chinese history still has on its citizens. I might have a more straight-to-the-point attitude – I am an engineer for something – but I have to admit that explaining how our Chinese friends behave today referring to Confucius, Taoism and tradition can make a lot of sense for foreigners who have little clue about the country. It makes the pragmatic tips more acceptable.
In general I agree with her point of view, except for some minor aspects. Living here every day gives one a different perspective.
As for the impact of the old philosophies I would even say (that was not so well addressed in the presentation), after decades of brainwashing and removing anything closely related to culture, religion and philosophy I see a clear revival. Up to the point the Chinese government is embracing Confucius thought and traditions – Buddhism is OK too. Newspapers are filled with articles on Confucius and there is a hot debate on what Confucius is supposed to look like. Well, that’s settled as there is now an “official” statue and likeness of the philosopher. In another blog posting I’ll show you my very own official portrait of Confucius.

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The official portrait of Confucius – Shanghai Daily, 25 September 06

Jeanne might be disappointed I did not (yet) buy her book. I made a promise to first read the pile of other China books and euh… I concentrate on English literature.
I hope Flemish businesspeople will take the time to study her side of the story before heading to China unprepared. Wishful thinking, I know, watching so many clueless foreigners tripping over the booby-traps in business. Anyway, some never learn. Like listening to people who know the right door to knock on. Of course, they know best and those pests called “lobbyists” (they do not only exist in D.C.) dare ask for consultancy fees. How dare they.

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The view in the IHT on lobbyists

China Shakes the World – James Kynge

Edited 1 July 06
On 14 June the EUCCC organized a breakfast event to let James introduce his book. Yeah, I know, one more.
I know James from the times he still was with the Financial Times and also bugged me (in a friendly way) as a journalist.

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His book, welcome words by Jörg Wuttke and James giving an entertaining talk

His book is said to be “an authorative account by leading China expert on how China’s economic rise and how it will affect the world”. The China Economic review in its June edition gave a positive report on the book – so did China Daily on 19 June on the front page – another glowing review.
I don’t completely agree with all of James’ statements but he makes many sharp and straight to the point observations leaning on his long experience dealing with China. He talks with a lot of humor – and modesty – setting him apart from the many so-called China specialists who think they understand China and all others have no clue.
James lists some of the strengths of China as well as some of the potential risk factors. Here I would add some more. We see fortress Europe and fortress USA against China’s rising economic trade volume but he did not talk about fortress China – many observers share the sentiment China is becoming more protective and trying to erect new barriers for foreign companies.
He also mentioned China is very closely following the western world in advanced technologies such as in the semiconductor industry. Here is were I tend to disagree – exactly in the IC industry China has been investing heavily but still fails to develop cutting edge technologies, one can even say China has a lot of catching up to do. Just look at a recent scandal where the darling researcher in the IC industry had to admit his new IC was just a recooked US chip – Chen Jing placed his company’s logos on several Motorola MOTO chips and claimed them as his own. As a consequence he was fired by Shanghai Jiaotong University.
Not to mention the development of mobile terminals – Motorola and Nokia again increasing their market share through their intensified R&D and marketing efforts after ceding grounds a few years ago to the myriad of local manufacturers. At one point it looked like foreign suppliers would become irrelevant. Not yet!
All in all, looks like a very interesting piece of work what James came up with. Now James, you have to improve your sales skills and carry some of your books for sale, so I can buy an autographed one from you.

One billion customers – James McGregor

On Tuesday morning 6 June the BBA (still called the Benelux Business Association, but not for long…) invited James to talk about his book.

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James in the Capital Club – again a room with no view

One more book indeed, even China Daily mentioned a couple of days ago “the flood of China-themed business books” referring among others to “China CEO” (see previous blog) and James’ book, now quite famous.
Of course I bought it, with a kind dedication from James. Now I have to find the time to actually read it, as well as all the others.
Troubling what he said – did I hear well? He retreated for 18 months somewhere in a log cabin in the US to write? And people want I write something too? Not exactly encouraging when I hardly get through my e-mails every day. Maybe I should isolate myself in Phuket, haha. Maybe not exactly the place for quiet isolation. A cabin in the forest probably IS more appropriate.
This guy makes me jealous: 1. he speaks Chinese (my major frustration after 25 years) and managed to talk with some 300 Chinese (while biking in Beijing.. among other); 2. he finds time for his retreat.
He certainly also knows how to speak. Yes, he is a journalist but they are supposed to listen rather than talk, or? Some of his comments were sharp and in line with what I also think. Some of the remarkable ones, at least for me:
– our life is “guilt based” meaning we think we should follow rules (mostly a result of our education and religious influences); so we stop for a red light in the middle of the night when nobody is around; Chinese are rather “shame based” – meaning they just try to get away with as much as they can as long as they are not caught (and lose face, and that’s bad of course); now I know why Chinese are so undisciplined and do whatever they feel like. Just look at the Beijing traffic. I might have my own explanation but it’s for sure a nice way to put it.
– “If you don’t get rich in the gold rush, you’ll never get rich”. That really does not look good in my case. Maybe I should learn from the Chinese how to make money and get away with as much as I can. I blame my education with the Jesuits.
– “Should we be afraid of China? No, we should be afraid of ourselves”. Quite true Now, if you want to know why, I guess you’ll have to read the book.
So at least I know what I should NOT write about. Don’t worry, I have a long list of ideas still standing.

China CEO – Voices of Experience

On Friday 26 Amcham organized an interesting presentation by one of the authors of the book, Ms. Laurie Underwood and also Mr. Kenneth Yu, managing director of 3M China Region, one of the CEOs interviewed. Both were excellent speakers and communicators.
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Laurie and Kenneth at the the Kerry Center
About every week a new book is coming out on China. Many of my friends urge me to write my own book and I ask myself if it makes sense to add one more to the list. People who have been 6 months or 10 year over here feel compelled to explain to the world their deep insight in this fascinating country. Some authors succeed to focus on interesting areas, many however just list the usual generalities on how to enter the “vast market” or come up with questionable views on the market potential for foreigners or come up with disaster scenarios. So, what should I possibly write about? Question unanswered as for now.
The Amcham presentation was looking into one – important – aspect of working here: “Closing the China-to-Headquarters Communication Gap”. My experience can only confirm some of the comments during the presentation: I mostly felt it was harder to deal with the headquarters than with the Chinese. And still today, with all the information available through the media and the Internet, even well educated westerners have a poor knowledge of what China really is today. A big cultural gap filled with misconceptions, misinformation and unrealistic expectations. Not to speak of the usual lack of effort and patience to understand a world that is so different from ours. Bridging that gap with your bosses thousands of Km away is a real challenge.
The book has the merit that is based on factual research, interviewing about 20 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in China. As far as I can see, some valuable feedback. I happen to know some of them quite well, so I am very curious to find out how they are presenting their story. Let’s be clear – I did not read the book yet. Knowing how some MNCs manage to project their wisdom and professionalism to the outside world while internally things are often a accumulation of personal interests, infighting and plain incompetence it is always interesting reading how they show their colors to a wider public. Maybe I have been looking too much to the inner workings of several MNCs…
What I already see missing in the picture is the absence of some non-western CEOs. Only one Japanese CEO is featured, not by oversight of the authors but because – as I know – those are reluctant to participate in such a project. I have been looking into the way South Koreans companies operate in China (no CEO from that country could be interviewed). They have very different strategies than our western companies. Just take note – South Korea is the third de facto trading partner of China (China Daily!). I met some of those Korean executives, not exactly the open and social type of executives, a bit like the Japanese. But they are very successful, using a nearly totally different management style. Maybe more about that in my book. Some day, who knows.