The Future of Business in China

Stepping out of Shanghai airport was a shock to the system. It was unbearably hot and humid, there were so many people and I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying. In retrospect, this was just a taste of the experiences that would take me out of my comfort zone on the China Future of Business Study Tour.

For the next two weeks, our group made China our temporary home as we learnt about the Chinese language, culture and business practices through site visits, lectures and language classes. Kindly hosted by the University of Sydney Centre in China located in Suzhou, the trip was an eye-opening insight into the complex business landscape in China and the changing nature of Chinese businesses both domestically and abroad.

By the end of the trip, all my initial preconceptions of what life is like in China had been challenged. As we were exposed to incubators, white-good manufacturers, law firms, digital tourism platforms and many other companies, it was clear to see the rapidly changing and advancing landscape of business in China.

With so many different experiences it’s difficult to summarize the trip, but here are my three biggest lessons!

1. China is ready to innovate

The perception of what it means to be “Made in China” is rapidly changing as Chinese businesses embrace digital disruption and advancements in technology. Nowhere was this more prevalent than seeing the massive adoption of WeChat. Not only is it used as a messaging platform, but also a method of payment, ticket reservation service and even a dating app!

Throughout the industry visits, there was a clear focus on “Internet Plus” industries, using advances in technology to innovate in a variety of different areas. We visited a mobile tourism platform which is reshaping how consumers organize holidays as well as a company which provides an online platform to share information and track transactions in the textiles industry. Every company was engaged in providing the best service to their customers, using innovative and technology-driven ideas to do so.

2. Speaking Mandarin is difficult!

Every morning we put our language skills to the test in daily language and culture classes. Here many of us struggled with the pronunciation of the words, let alone remembering the different tones and characters. This experience gave us a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the Chinese language, and I know I have a new drive to learn more phrases as unfortunately asking for a bowl of rice can only get you so far!

3. A country’s culture is complex and dynamic

Our entire experience in-country was a fantastic way to enjoy the rich culture China has to show, as well as soak up knowledge around business practice in the country. Every day brought new and different experiences which challenged our understanding of the world and what life is like in China.  Not only did we build awareness of the future directions of business in China, but gained a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the Chinese culture.

We were fortunate to visit many wonderful places in China during our trip including the areas around Suzhou, Nanjing, the Yuxi caves and Shanghai. This travel allowed us to experience the variation in cultures which exist in different parts of China and appreciate what each city has to offer. Like Sydney, the traffic in China was unpredictable but this allowed us to see the beauty of the country side and cities as we travelled to our destination.

Overall this tour has been such a phenomenal experience that I never imagined being a part of at University. A huge thank you must be given to our lecturer Rachael Hains-Wesson for her incredible work organizing and leading the tour. To be able to gain such insight into a different country whilst seeing the connection to my future career in business is such a privilege, and I would encourage any student interested in a global business career to look into taking part in such opportunities in the future.

Written by Emelia Jayne Milliner