Adopting from China
Many North Americans nowadays are adopting from China. Most adoptive children available from China are girls. There are boys available but a very small number compared to girls. People who are interested in adopting from China may have to wait 16 – 24 months to have their application reviewed. The age requirements for adoptive parents adopting from China are married couples 30-50 years of age. They must be at least 30 when the dossier is registered in China. Married couples ages 30-44 are eligible to adopt a child 6-18 months old. Couples 45-50 are eligible to adopt children 18 months to 3 years of age. Couples ages 51-55 is eligible to adopt only through the Waiting Child Program. China’s adoption eligibility is based on each person’s age. For example, if one of the prospective adoptive parents is under 30 years old or the other person is over 55 years old, they are not eligible to adopt a child in China.
There are health history restrictions when adopting from China. Families are not eligible to adopt from China if there is a diagnosis of major depression or any severe mental health conditions. Adoptive parents must be treatment and medication free for over two years if being treated for depression or anxiety. Families are no eligible to adopt from China if there is a history of alcoholism with the previous 10 years. If on or both of the adoptive parents use a wheelchair, mobility aid or are missing limbs, they are not eligible to adopt from China. Prospective adoptive parents are not eligible if there are any diseases in the infectious stage or if either of the two has a severe disease which requires long-term treatment and affects life expectancy. China will not approve parents who are blind. They will not approve parents who are deaf, unless they are adopting a deaf child. These are some of the health restrictions when adopting from China. To get a more extensive list, consult an adoption agency or search the Internet for adopting from China.
When adopting from China, the prospective family must prove they have a net worth of at least $80,000. The applicants must also earn an income of over $10,000 per person living in the home, including the adopted child. Prospective adoptive parents must prove they earn a minimum annual income of $30,000 or an income which represents $10,000 per person living in the household. There must be $10,000 for each parent and $10,000 for each additional child.
Criminal history is taken into account for any adoption. When adopting from China, families are not eligible to adopt if they have current warrants or are currently on probation. If there is any history of drug use or drug charges, arrest for a violent crime, a history of domestic violence, sex abuse, abandonment, child abuse or any felonies, China will not approve an application for adoption. Of course applications are all considered individually and different agencies and programs may have slight variations in their laws and regulations.
These are some of the facts regarding adopting from China. There are many eligibility factors including marriage requirements, household requirements, religious and citizenship requirements. To learn more about adopting from China, contact an agency who deals with International adoption or browse the many Internet web sites which provide detailed information on adopting from China.
Meagan Harnell is a contributor for Webarticles.com. For more information about parenting and family life, visit webarticles.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 3 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Teaching English In China by Tom Carter
Teaching English In China by Tom Carter
Teaching English in China: One Expat's Experience By Tom Carter
Having little luck finding an attractive job offer in the U.S. in 2004, I decided to take my skills where they were wanted -- abroad.
Enticed by the "Teach English in China -- No Experience Necessary" ads saturating the online classifieds, I emailed my resume with one hand and packed my bags with the other. I had no idea what to expect, but then, the great unknown can be what makes a job like teaching English in the People's Republic so appealing.
As the world's largest economy opens to foreign investment, education has become one of China's thriving sectors. Confucius probably wouldn't stand for it, but he wasn't wearing pinstripe suits and driving a shiny black sedan. The country may be Communist in theory, but the renminbi -- Chinese currency -- is emperor.
A Chinese adage says that the best advice is often born from the most challenging experiences. After three years helping the sons and daughters of Han learn English, I've had my share. Westerners looking to teach in China may want to consider the following before packing their bags.
Some foreign English teachers may be shanghaied at least once during their time in China. Baiting unsuspecting Westerners to China with false promises of a high salary, deluxe apartment, airfare reimbursement, visa or other incentives is a common online scam. Blame it on temptation. Often Chinese laws are too fluid and relationships ("guanxi" in Mandarin) with authorities too intimate, leaving some foreigners with little protection against scams.
The moment I arrived in the Middle Kingdom I had what some seasoned expatriates call "the complete Chinese experience." The "school" that had accepted my application turned out to be a nickel-and-dime operation run out of an apartment by a guy in his bathrobe. I'd come half way around the world for a job and found myself out of work.
I was literally lost in translation. Despair and a desire to return home to Mom set in. But I quickly learned that, commensurate with its sizeable population, China has a profusion of kindergarten, primary, middle and high schools and universities in even the most remote cities. In short order, I wound up with a position and salary more attractive than the one I had originally accepted.
Chinese parents may work night and day to pay for pricey English lessons so that their child can get a head start in this competitive society of 1.3 billion. Unfortunately, academics are not an issue to many of China's new educational entrepreneurs who put profit before curriculum and quality. Classroom experience and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is nice, but in many cases a Western face is all a native English speaker needs to land a teaching job in China.
In more reputable schools, most prospective English teachers don't have it so easy. I endured a weeklong interview process, including a series of teaching demonstrations before 300 stern-looking parents, all while I was still jetlagged and suffering from culture shock. I must have done something right, because I was chosen to teach at a top school in the province.
Being rice-wined and dined by my prospective employer over 30-course banquet dinners did not distract me from negotiating a fair salary. Many foreigners ("laowai") prefer to live in a cosmopolitan city like Beijing or Shanghai than a small town such as the one I had chosen, and I was able to use this preference as leverage during contract discussions. All deals in China, like the price of fruit at the marketplace, can be negotiated.
Most English teachers in China needn't speak Mandarin in the classroom. Instead, we instruct students through a process of language immersion and simulation, which in time invariably leads to proficiency. Diligence and a little creativity are all that are really needed, but like performing on stage five times a day, it takes its toll.
Over the next few years, I would meet a number of disappointed young Westerners who came overseas as English teachers expecting to party all night and spend their free time pursuing adventures in the countryside. That, I would tell them, is a lifestyle for tourists, exchange students and embassy brats, not the hardworking teacher.
As a foreign expert English instructor, I'm scheduled for up to 30 classes a week and spend most of my free time planning lessons. I'm up at dawn with the older folks practicing their Tai Chi and not back home until after 10 p.m., about when the migrant construction workers also are getting off work.
I never thought I'd be an educator. I didn't like most of my teachers when I was a kid. Teachers the world over are typically low paid, overworked and underappreciated. But the fatigue and the hit on my income -- compared to what I might earn in the U.S. -- are what I pay for being part of a rapidly-changing China. As it turned out, I'm not so bad in front of the chalkboard -- I actually like it.
-- Mr. Carter is a business English trainer in Beijing.
###
This article originally appeared in a February 2007 edition of The Wall Street Journal Career Journal.
Tom Carter (http://www.tomcarter.org) of San Francisco is an internationally published freelance photographer and travel writer specializing in the People's Republic of China. Tom has traveled extensively throughout all 33 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions and currently resides in Beijing.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Teaching English in China: One Expat's Experience By Tom Carter
Having little luck finding an attractive job offer in the U.S. in 2004, I decided to take my skills where they were wanted -- abroad.
Enticed by the "Teach English in China -- No Experience Necessary" ads saturating the online classifieds, I emailed my resume with one hand and packed my bags with the other. I had no idea what to expect, but then, the great unknown can be what makes a job like teaching English in the People's Republic so appealing.
As the world's largest economy opens to foreign investment, education has become one of China's thriving sectors. Confucius probably wouldn't stand for it, but he wasn't wearing pinstripe suits and driving a shiny black sedan. The country may be Communist in theory, but the renminbi -- Chinese currency -- is emperor.
A Chinese adage says that the best advice is often born from the most challenging experiences. After three years helping the sons and daughters of Han learn English, I've had my share. Westerners looking to teach in China may want to consider the following before packing their bags.
Some foreign English teachers may be shanghaied at least once during their time in China. Baiting unsuspecting Westerners to China with false promises of a high salary, deluxe apartment, airfare reimbursement, visa or other incentives is a common online scam. Blame it on temptation. Often Chinese laws are too fluid and relationships ("guanxi" in Mandarin) with authorities too intimate, leaving some foreigners with little protection against scams.
The moment I arrived in the Middle Kingdom I had what some seasoned expatriates call "the complete Chinese experience." The "school" that had accepted my application turned out to be a nickel-and-dime operation run out of an apartment by a guy in his bathrobe. I'd come half way around the world for a job and found myself out of work.
I was literally lost in translation. Despair and a desire to return home to Mom set in. But I quickly learned that, commensurate with its sizeable population, China has a profusion of kindergarten, primary, middle and high schools and universities in even the most remote cities. In short order, I wound up with a position and salary more attractive than the one I had originally accepted.
Chinese parents may work night and day to pay for pricey English lessons so that their child can get a head start in this competitive society of 1.3 billion. Unfortunately, academics are not an issue to many of China's new educational entrepreneurs who put profit before curriculum and quality. Classroom experience and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is nice, but in many cases a Western face is all a native English speaker needs to land a teaching job in China.
In more reputable schools, most prospective English teachers don't have it so easy. I endured a weeklong interview process, including a series of teaching demonstrations before 300 stern-looking parents, all while I was still jetlagged and suffering from culture shock. I must have done something right, because I was chosen to teach at a top school in the province.
Being rice-wined and dined by my prospective employer over 30-course banquet dinners did not distract me from negotiating a fair salary. Many foreigners ("laowai") prefer to live in a cosmopolitan city like Beijing or Shanghai than a small town such as the one I had chosen, and I was able to use this preference as leverage during contract discussions. All deals in China, like the price of fruit at the marketplace, can be negotiated.
Most English teachers in China needn't speak Mandarin in the classroom. Instead, we instruct students through a process of language immersion and simulation, which in time invariably leads to proficiency. Diligence and a little creativity are all that are really needed, but like performing on stage five times a day, it takes its toll.
Over the next few years, I would meet a number of disappointed young Westerners who came overseas as English teachers expecting to party all night and spend their free time pursuing adventures in the countryside. That, I would tell them, is a lifestyle for tourists, exchange students and embassy brats, not the hardworking teacher.
As a foreign expert English instructor, I'm scheduled for up to 30 classes a week and spend most of my free time planning lessons. I'm up at dawn with the older folks practicing their Tai Chi and not back home until after 10 p.m., about when the migrant construction workers also are getting off work.
I never thought I'd be an educator. I didn't like most of my teachers when I was a kid. Teachers the world over are typically low paid, overworked and underappreciated. But the fatigue and the hit on my income -- compared to what I might earn in the U.S. -- are what I pay for being part of a rapidly-changing China. As it turned out, I'm not so bad in front of the chalkboard -- I actually like it.
-- Mr. Carter is a business English trainer in Beijing.
###
This article originally appeared in a February 2007 edition of The Wall Street Journal Career Journal.
Tom Carter (http://www.tomcarter.org) of San Francisco is an internationally published freelance photographer and travel writer specializing in the People's Republic of China. Tom has traveled extensively throughout all 33 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions and currently resides in Beijing.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Lots of Danish Producers Forge China Ties
Lots of Danish Producers Forge China Ties
Copenhagen, Denmark— China is making its presence in world furniture production felt even in Scandinavia, where clean, modern designs were considered protected from labor-oriented, lower-cost import sources.
Only a handful of the 425 exhibitors at the Scandinavian Furniture Fair here rely on Chinese production, but many speak of being burned by Asian-made knockoffs. More significant is the trend of Scandinavian designs getting elbowed off retail floors by Chinese-made furniture merely because of China's far lower prices, regardless of the styles involved.
"Our manufacturers have lost U.S. clients because of movement to China," said Keld Korsager, managing director of the Assn. of Danish Furniture Industries, the show's organizer and Denmark's furniture trade association. "China becomes stronger and stronger."
One of the few Danish producers fully reliant on Chinese production is Falsiy, which partnered with Shanghai-based, vertically integrated Fuzi Wood Furniture four years ago. Labor costs equal to roughly 5% of those common in Denmark made it foolish not to make the switch, said Mogens Falsig, executive manager, who represents the fifth generation of the family to run the company.
"There are only a few (Danish companies) in China now, but that will change," he said. "The cost differentials are so great."
The joint venture had built-in advantages for Falsig. Fuzi (www.fuzi-wood-furniture.com) has modern factory in China, all specializing in Scandinavian. The network gives the Danish company a foothold in the world's largest market.
"The important thing is to go slowly and to find a partner you can trust," he said. "There are many who are not trustworthy."
Falsig has been quiet about its Chinese connections, however. Falsig said when the company adds cherry and teak, probably later this year, it will "use the trumpets."
The company, which uses only Danish designs, produces in beech and oak.
Upholstery specialist Innovation also has put all its eggs in a Chinese basket, believing in the cost advantages and rapidly advancing quality and systems in China.
"The future is in Asia," said Kjeld Jensen, president. "Anyone can see that. The quality is good because all the expertise and knowledge have been exported there."
Innovation, which sells to some 100 stores in the United States, including Dania, Plummers and ABC Carpet & Home, recently expanded its factory in China in an effort to achieve just-in-time manufacturing cycles.
The company has produced in China for three years and has no regrets, Jensen said.
Earlier this month, Niels Jespersen said he was leaving as the top executive at Danish leader Jesper Office to launch a new company that will import Scandinavian-style office furniture from China and sell it in the United States. Jesper Office, which also sells mostly into the United States, produces in Denmark.
http://www.fuzi-wood-furniture.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Copenhagen, Denmark— China is making its presence in world furniture production felt even in Scandinavia, where clean, modern designs were considered protected from labor-oriented, lower-cost import sources.
Only a handful of the 425 exhibitors at the Scandinavian Furniture Fair here rely on Chinese production, but many speak of being burned by Asian-made knockoffs. More significant is the trend of Scandinavian designs getting elbowed off retail floors by Chinese-made furniture merely because of China's far lower prices, regardless of the styles involved.
"Our manufacturers have lost U.S. clients because of movement to China," said Keld Korsager, managing director of the Assn. of Danish Furniture Industries, the show's organizer and Denmark's furniture trade association. "China becomes stronger and stronger."
One of the few Danish producers fully reliant on Chinese production is Falsiy, which partnered with Shanghai-based, vertically integrated Fuzi Wood Furniture four years ago. Labor costs equal to roughly 5% of those common in Denmark made it foolish not to make the switch, said Mogens Falsig, executive manager, who represents the fifth generation of the family to run the company.
"There are only a few (Danish companies) in China now, but that will change," he said. "The cost differentials are so great."
The joint venture had built-in advantages for Falsig. Fuzi (www.fuzi-wood-furniture.com) has modern factory in China, all specializing in Scandinavian. The network gives the Danish company a foothold in the world's largest market.
"The important thing is to go slowly and to find a partner you can trust," he said. "There are many who are not trustworthy."
Falsig has been quiet about its Chinese connections, however. Falsig said when the company adds cherry and teak, probably later this year, it will "use the trumpets."
The company, which uses only Danish designs, produces in beech and oak.
Upholstery specialist Innovation also has put all its eggs in a Chinese basket, believing in the cost advantages and rapidly advancing quality and systems in China.
"The future is in Asia," said Kjeld Jensen, president. "Anyone can see that. The quality is good because all the expertise and knowledge have been exported there."
Innovation, which sells to some 100 stores in the United States, including Dania, Plummers and ABC Carpet & Home, recently expanded its factory in China in an effort to achieve just-in-time manufacturing cycles.
The company has produced in China for three years and has no regrets, Jensen said.
Earlier this month, Niels Jespersen said he was leaving as the top executive at Danish leader Jesper Office to launch a new company that will import Scandinavian-style office furniture from China and sell it in the United States. Jesper Office, which also sells mostly into the United States, produces in Denmark.
http://www.fuzi-wood-furniture.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
China - The Economic Miracle
China - The Economic Miracle
Since its winning of the Olympic bids for 2008, World Expo 2010 and accession to the WTO, companies, both local and foreign are itching their way into Chinese markets, either looking for business opportunities or to expand their business operation in China.
China has been the fastest-growing major nation for the past quarter of a century with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. Per capita income has grown at an average annual rate of more than 8% over the last three decades. China saw its export and import volume in service trade (excluding government service) stood at US$ 250.91 billion in 2007,an increase of over 30% from the previous year as according to its the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) report in June 2008.
China as the second largest economy in the world after the US, with a GDP of over US$7 trillion (2007) when measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. In November 2007, it became the third largest in the world after the US and Japan with a nominal GDP of US$3.42 trillion in 2007 when measured in foreign exchange-rate terms.
China is the world's largest producer of rice and is among the principal sources of corn (maize), wheat, soybeans, peanuts (groundnuts), cotton and tobacco. China is one of the world's largest producers of several industrial and mineral products, including cotton cloth,cotton yarn, antimony,tungsten,crude oil, coal and other products.
China's mineral resources are probably among the richest in the world but are only partially developed. She has acquired some highly sophisticated production facilities through trade and also has built a number of advanced engineering plants capable of manufacturing an increasing range of sophisticated defense and power technologies.
In 2007, the European Union was still China's largest trading partner, and Japan its third largest. Trade with the EU rose 27 percent year-on-year to US$356.15 billion while Japan reached over US$236.02 billion, up 13.9 percent. Trade between Russia and China increased 44%, year-on-year, in 2007 to US$48.2 billion.Further readings on SearchAnythingEurope.com and SearchAnythingRussia.com
China-US Trade, which totaled only US$5 billion in 1980, rose to $387 billion in 2007. China overtook Japan to become the third largest U.S. export market, and overtook Canada to become the largest source of U.S. imports.Further news can be found on SearchAnythingAmerica.com.com
Trade volume between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) hit US$202.6 billion in 2007, up 25.9 percent year-on-year, as announced by the China-ASEAN Business Council.More news can be found on SearchAnythingAsia.com
Since its adoption of the "Four Modernizations" - agriculture, industry, science and technology, and defence, just a generation ago, China's share of world economic output has grown from 3.4 per cent to almost 12 per cent by 2000. China's booming economy has been hailed as a true economic miracle by many.
China provides huge investment opportunity for many producers of commodities and companies or investors who wish to find a way to place their money into a rich market. On average, China's economy grows by 10% annually. There continues to be encouraging demand for investment and business growth in China for the next decade.
Copyright (c) 2008 Paul Hata
Paul Hata,social entrepreneur and community program strategist.He is active in various social and community programs aimed at providing equal opportunity to education,health and jobs to all regardless of race or religion. Paul has over 10 years experience in managing a successful multi-million dollar advertising and publishing company.Paul can be reached at : http://www.worldchristianpages.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Since its winning of the Olympic bids for 2008, World Expo 2010 and accession to the WTO, companies, both local and foreign are itching their way into Chinese markets, either looking for business opportunities or to expand their business operation in China.
China has been the fastest-growing major nation for the past quarter of a century with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. Per capita income has grown at an average annual rate of more than 8% over the last three decades. China saw its export and import volume in service trade (excluding government service) stood at US$ 250.91 billion in 2007,an increase of over 30% from the previous year as according to its the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) report in June 2008.
China as the second largest economy in the world after the US, with a GDP of over US$7 trillion (2007) when measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. In November 2007, it became the third largest in the world after the US and Japan with a nominal GDP of US$3.42 trillion in 2007 when measured in foreign exchange-rate terms.
China is the world's largest producer of rice and is among the principal sources of corn (maize), wheat, soybeans, peanuts (groundnuts), cotton and tobacco. China is one of the world's largest producers of several industrial and mineral products, including cotton cloth,cotton yarn, antimony,tungsten,crude oil, coal and other products.
China's mineral resources are probably among the richest in the world but are only partially developed. She has acquired some highly sophisticated production facilities through trade and also has built a number of advanced engineering plants capable of manufacturing an increasing range of sophisticated defense and power technologies.
In 2007, the European Union was still China's largest trading partner, and Japan its third largest. Trade with the EU rose 27 percent year-on-year to US$356.15 billion while Japan reached over US$236.02 billion, up 13.9 percent. Trade between Russia and China increased 44%, year-on-year, in 2007 to US$48.2 billion.Further readings on SearchAnythingEurope.com and SearchAnythingRussia.com
China-US Trade, which totaled only US$5 billion in 1980, rose to $387 billion in 2007. China overtook Japan to become the third largest U.S. export market, and overtook Canada to become the largest source of U.S. imports.Further news can be found on SearchAnythingAmerica.com.com
Trade volume between China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) hit US$202.6 billion in 2007, up 25.9 percent year-on-year, as announced by the China-ASEAN Business Council.More news can be found on SearchAnythingAsia.com
Since its adoption of the "Four Modernizations" - agriculture, industry, science and technology, and defence, just a generation ago, China's share of world economic output has grown from 3.4 per cent to almost 12 per cent by 2000. China's booming economy has been hailed as a true economic miracle by many.
China provides huge investment opportunity for many producers of commodities and companies or investors who wish to find a way to place their money into a rich market. On average, China's economy grows by 10% annually. There continues to be encouraging demand for investment and business growth in China for the next decade.
Copyright (c) 2008 Paul Hata
Paul Hata,social entrepreneur and community program strategist.He is active in various social and community programs aimed at providing equal opportunity to education,health and jobs to all regardless of race or religion. Paul has over 10 years experience in managing a successful multi-million dollar advertising and publishing company.Paul can be reached at : http://www.worldchristianpages.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Global Online Marketing Profile: China
Global Online Marketing Profile: China
Market Opportunity
The Chinese renminibi, or yuan, is increasingly growing in strength against the weakening US dollar, creating increased demand for US goods. With the world’s largest population of 1.3 billion and the third largest economy (behind the United States and the European Union), China is one of the most lucrative and promising markets in the world with the third-largest purchasing power of $6.991 trillion. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2005, the per capita disposable income in China is about $1525 in urban households and $473 in rural households. Although the Chinese amount of disposable income is lower than the US’s $28,000 real disposable income per capita, this amount is steadily increasing; in 2005, the People’s Daily Online reported that the amount of per capita disposable income increased by 12.9%, or 11%, if price factors are deducted. Also, with growing population in the middle-class group, the Chinese consumption rate is expected to increase from 58 percent in 2002 to 65 percent by 2010 and to 71 percent by 2020, very close to the rate in developed countries, said Chen Xingdong, chief China economist with BNP Paribas Peregrine in Beijing, adding that China has a potential enormous consumer market.
China’s middle class is constantly growing. According to the People’s Daily Online, a French investment bank’s definition on the Chinese mid-class group covers the well-educated professionals and white-collar employees (brain workers) with per capital annual income of 25,000-30,000 yuan (about $3,600-$4,300), household annual income of 75,000-100,000 yuan (or around $11,000-$14,500) and participants in the decision-making and management of companies. In June 2004, this group includes around 13.5 percent of the total Chinese population (about 175,500,000 people). In 2002, 50 million Chinese families were qualified for the standard, with per household having annual income of 75,000 yuan (around $11,000) and owning 310,000 yuan (around $45,000) of assets on average. By 2010, the figures will double, with up to 100 million families qualified for the standard, per household having annual income of 150,000 yuan (around $22,000) and owning assets of 620,000 yuan (around $90,000), according to the BNP Paribas Peregrine.
Figure 1: Graph of the US Dollar to Chinese Renmibi (or Yuan) Exchange Rate
Best Industry Segments
Based on the details released by the USA government and Sinomania! Research, the best export opportunities for USA businesses in non-agricultural products are in (1) information technology, (2) telecommunications equipment, (3) computer software, (4) oil and gas, (5) medical equipment, (6) pharmaceuticals, (7) pollution control equipment, (8) airport and ground support equipment, (9) building and decoration materials, (10) auto parts, and (11) agricultural chemicals. With the fall of the dollar and the steady and unfaltering rise of the Chinese economy, the Chinese consumers and businesses are inevitably gaining more buying power in the world.
Regulatory and Tariff Landscape
In March 2008, the average overall tariff rate is at 9.4% and 7.4% for USA priority products. In 2002, China began cutting tariffs to meet its obligations to the World Trade Organization. Then, in 2005, most products saw their final tariff cuts in 2005. Since then, few products have had their rates cut. Furthermore, in its 2007 annual report to Congress, the US Trade Representative said that China’s reduced tariffs contributed to another significant increase in overall US exports, which rose about 17% from January to September 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006.
Online Marketing Opportunities
Even though, says China Internet Network Information Center, China’s level of online penetration is low (15.9%) when compared to the United States’, Japan’s, and Korea’s percent of penetration (all of which are above 65%), China holds an abundant amount of promise. In fact, in 2007, the number of Internet users in China surpassed the number of Internet users in the United States, which formerly had the largest population of Internet users. This number of Internet users will continue to grow. According to news site of the year Timeonline.com, experts say that the number will swell rapidly in the next few years as hundreds of millions of Chinese still toiling as low-paid farmers or labourers experience a rise in their incomes that will enable them to go online. BDA China, a Beijing technology company, estimates that China’s web population will grow by about 18 per cent a year, putting the total at 490 million by 2012 – more than the population of the United States.
Online Language Preferences
Even though more than 300 million Chinese people, or nearly a quarter of the country’s population, have studied English according to Xinhua, most (mainland) Chinese people prefer to read content in their simplified Chinese characters. This is the case for the most part, but in the southernmost provinces in China and especially in Hong Kong, the usage of English has a moderate to strong presence. Since nearly a quarter of the country’s population has studied in English, it is recommended that a business has some of its content in Chinese so that the Chinese consumers could click through that Chinese webpage to reach and use the English version of the website.
Search Engine Profile
Unlike most countries in the world, the Google search engine has not dominated this market. The search engine here of predominance is Baidu (baidu.com), which is the local search engine that has the biggest market share in China (about 60%). In second, Google claims 20%, and in third, Yahoo claims 10%.
Summary
With the largest number of online users in the world, an increasing rate of online penetration, an expanding middle class, a continually fast-growing economy, and much room for growth, China provides excellent opportunities for global online marketing. For the above reasons, Global e-Marketer would rank China as a tier 1 country for developing an online market presence.
Wyliena Guan is a Global Markets Research Analyst at Global e-Marketer. Global e-Marketer is an international business development and marketing consulting firm that helps business expand globally from preparation to implementation, through global online campaign management. For more information contact information[at]globalemarketer[dot]com, or visit their website at http://www.globalemarketer.com.
Market Opportunity
The Chinese renminibi, or yuan, is increasingly growing in strength against the weakening US dollar, creating increased demand for US goods. With the world’s largest population of 1.3 billion and the third largest economy (behind the United States and the European Union), China is one of the most lucrative and promising markets in the world with the third-largest purchasing power of $6.991 trillion. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2005, the per capita disposable income in China is about $1525 in urban households and $473 in rural households. Although the Chinese amount of disposable income is lower than the US’s $28,000 real disposable income per capita, this amount is steadily increasing; in 2005, the People’s Daily Online reported that the amount of per capita disposable income increased by 12.9%, or 11%, if price factors are deducted. Also, with growing population in the middle-class group, the Chinese consumption rate is expected to increase from 58 percent in 2002 to 65 percent by 2010 and to 71 percent by 2020, very close to the rate in developed countries, said Chen Xingdong, chief China economist with BNP Paribas Peregrine in Beijing, adding that China has a potential enormous consumer market.
China’s middle class is constantly growing. According to the People’s Daily Online, a French investment bank’s definition on the Chinese mid-class group covers the well-educated professionals and white-collar employees (brain workers) with per capital annual income of 25,000-30,000 yuan (about $3,600-$4,300), household annual income of 75,000-100,000 yuan (or around $11,000-$14,500) and participants in the decision-making and management of companies. In June 2004, this group includes around 13.5 percent of the total Chinese population (about 175,500,000 people). In 2002, 50 million Chinese families were qualified for the standard, with per household having annual income of 75,000 yuan (around $11,000) and owning 310,000 yuan (around $45,000) of assets on average. By 2010, the figures will double, with up to 100 million families qualified for the standard, per household having annual income of 150,000 yuan (around $22,000) and owning assets of 620,000 yuan (around $90,000), according to the BNP Paribas Peregrine.
Figure 1: Graph of the US Dollar to Chinese Renmibi (or Yuan) Exchange Rate
Best Industry Segments
Based on the details released by the USA government and Sinomania! Research, the best export opportunities for USA businesses in non-agricultural products are in (1) information technology, (2) telecommunications equipment, (3) computer software, (4) oil and gas, (5) medical equipment, (6) pharmaceuticals, (7) pollution control equipment, (8) airport and ground support equipment, (9) building and decoration materials, (10) auto parts, and (11) agricultural chemicals. With the fall of the dollar and the steady and unfaltering rise of the Chinese economy, the Chinese consumers and businesses are inevitably gaining more buying power in the world.
Regulatory and Tariff Landscape
In March 2008, the average overall tariff rate is at 9.4% and 7.4% for USA priority products. In 2002, China began cutting tariffs to meet its obligations to the World Trade Organization. Then, in 2005, most products saw their final tariff cuts in 2005. Since then, few products have had their rates cut. Furthermore, in its 2007 annual report to Congress, the US Trade Representative said that China’s reduced tariffs contributed to another significant increase in overall US exports, which rose about 17% from January to September 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006.
Online Marketing Opportunities
Even though, says China Internet Network Information Center, China’s level of online penetration is low (15.9%) when compared to the United States’, Japan’s, and Korea’s percent of penetration (all of which are above 65%), China holds an abundant amount of promise. In fact, in 2007, the number of Internet users in China surpassed the number of Internet users in the United States, which formerly had the largest population of Internet users. This number of Internet users will continue to grow. According to news site of the year Timeonline.com, experts say that the number will swell rapidly in the next few years as hundreds of millions of Chinese still toiling as low-paid farmers or labourers experience a rise in their incomes that will enable them to go online. BDA China, a Beijing technology company, estimates that China’s web population will grow by about 18 per cent a year, putting the total at 490 million by 2012 – more than the population of the United States.
Online Language Preferences
Even though more than 300 million Chinese people, or nearly a quarter of the country’s population, have studied English according to Xinhua, most (mainland) Chinese people prefer to read content in their simplified Chinese characters. This is the case for the most part, but in the southernmost provinces in China and especially in Hong Kong, the usage of English has a moderate to strong presence. Since nearly a quarter of the country’s population has studied in English, it is recommended that a business has some of its content in Chinese so that the Chinese consumers could click through that Chinese webpage to reach and use the English version of the website.
Search Engine Profile
Unlike most countries in the world, the Google search engine has not dominated this market. The search engine here of predominance is Baidu (baidu.com), which is the local search engine that has the biggest market share in China (about 60%). In second, Google claims 20%, and in third, Yahoo claims 10%.
Summary
With the largest number of online users in the world, an increasing rate of online penetration, an expanding middle class, a continually fast-growing economy, and much room for growth, China provides excellent opportunities for global online marketing. For the above reasons, Global e-Marketer would rank China as a tier 1 country for developing an online market presence.
Wyliena Guan is a Global Markets Research Analyst at Global e-Marketer. Global e-Marketer is an international business development and marketing consulting firm that helps business expand globally from preparation to implementation, through global online campaign management. For more information contact information[at]globalemarketer[dot]com, or visit their website at http://www.globalemarketer.com.
สมัครสมาชิก:
บทความ (Atom)
