Moving to China can feel like stepping into another world — exciting, fast, and full of daily surprises. I thought I was prepared, but there were a few things I wish someone told me earlier. If you’re planning to move or you just arrived, these five notes will make life much smoother. 1) Cashless Life is Real QR codes run everything. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay as soon as you can....

Ever booked a hotel in China, rolled in with your suitcase all excited, only to hear that dreaded line: “Sorry, we’re not qualified to accept foreigners”? Yeah… me too. Awful. It’s been repeated so often it might as well be part of the hotel’s welcome script when a foreigner walks in. And the reason they give? “According to the law…” Well,...

The Shanghai Public Security Bureau (PSB) has rolled out new measures to make it easier for foreigners to attend and do business during the China International Import Expo (CIIE). These updates improve visa access, registration, and mobility around the event. 1. Electronic Port Visa System For the first time, Shanghai has introduced an electronic port visa system for foreign exhibitors and...

A growing online debate in China has drawn attention to a small group of foreign students, including some from Africa, accused of staying in universities for years without completing their studies. The reports have sparked national discussion about fairness, scholarship rules, and the real purpose of international education. What Sparked the Debate A recent report in Chinese media described...

Doing Business in China 2025 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in December 2024, this comprehensive guide is designed to let foreign investors get familiar with the changes happening in China’s business landscape and explore new methods of doing business in and with China—to identify areas...