Its rapid growth (GDP growth of 15.2% in 2011) was the reason for 212 of the fortune 500 companies to establish business in Chengdu. Moreover, the city benefits from its infrastructure, covering parts of central and West China as well as central and south Asia.

The FORTUNE Global Forum 2013 is nerved by the slogan “China’s new future” and stresses the aspects of the Chinese domestic economy, the development of Chinas Western part and its increasing importance in the global business environment. The main topics include “China’s Century”, “Resource Solutions”, “Innovation and Technology” and “The Recovery of the International financial world”.

Hopeful Hearts provides support to those children suffering with the most urgent and most complex heart conditions in both Nanjing Province, and Sichuan province.

This year Hopeful Hearts reached a wonderful milestone. Since its inception in 2003, Hopeful Hearts has been able to assist in the funding of over 200 heart operations.

Thanks to the support of donors within China and from overseas we were able to fund the treatment of 43 children in 2011. Of those children supported by Hopeful Hearts, 40 children underwent successful surgeries and are now living much improved lives. Unfortunately three children died from complications either during or after surgery, making our determination to reach these children earlier in life that much stronger.

2011 Annual Report

As we know in meanwhile, Chengdu is continuously in the process of becoming a more international city. To prove tis, there are a lot of big numbers and fancy graphics provided by the government, institutions and organizations, though these might be hard to interpret or “too far from your bed”.

That’s why I aim to provide insights and experiences how to measure this internationalization process in my future columns, showing how it’s visible in real life, what’s necessary to stimulate, which difficulties/ solutions expats encounter, etc.

For most expats, it is both an opportunity and a challenge to stay and work in China. Some hard decisions are unavoidable concerning the big move, especially when the whole family will come to the Middle Kingdom and the stress will be amplified exponentially. One of the questions causing prospective expats headaches and sleepless nights is: “Which school is the best option for the kids without putting the kids through the trouble of learning Chinese and saving them the culture shock?”

For this reason, this article highlights three of five well-respected English speaking international schools in Chengdu. The city in total counts 5 International Schools: CDIS, Eton House, Léman, Meishi and QSI International School.

Chengdu International School or CDIS offers a bilingual program for the elementary kids. The children are taken care of in Chinese but are also taught to develop a good foundation of learning the English language. The general elementary schools educational programme includes language arts, science, math, social studies, Chinese, PE, art as well as music. For the secondary school the children has the additional courses of English, fine arts and Chinese languages (for them required to study Chinese). Thorough the whole education process, the children are helped in positive character building and developing critical thinking.

QSI International School of Chengdu has small classes, so individual students can receive special care if needed. The school has in mind that some expat kids only are staying in Chengdu for one or less than one year, so the children have the possibility to take part in selected national studies (American, British, Dutch etc.). So the kids don’t have a hard time in adjusting to the school system if they return to their home countries. The curriculum includes appropriate topics for all students in intensive English, teachings of the Chinese language, literacy and computer courses. Beside this, the curriculum is complemented with various extracurricular activities.

The Léman International School’s primary school curriculum is based on the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and its middle school has an extended version of IPC. The 9th and 10th grade include a high level academics education. The educational system is using the American grading system and endeavour to help the children out in building ethical awareness and critical thinking. Furthermore, students have the opportunity of learning the Chinese and German language and the school offers diverse high standard sports activities.

By Dieter Vanonckelen

China-wide Management Team, Maxxelli Real Estate

Board Member, European Chamber of Commerce

7-Eleven offer a range of different food courses, as well as drinks and convenience retail products. As of April, 2009, there were 591 7-Eleven outlets in mainland China and despite of its name 7-Eleven, indicating that would be its opening and closing hours, many outlets are open 24 hours per day.

The level of difficulty in setting up your company depends on your industry. The reason is that China encourages foreign investment in certain industries while discourages it in others.

There are several different registration classifications for foreign companies doing business in China. You will need to decide which one best suits your needs. The main classifications are Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE), Joint Venture (JV), Representative Office and Partnership Enterprise (PE).

A Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise is a business that is 100% owned by a foreign company or companies. These are often established in Special Economic Zones. Only businesses in certain industry categories are allowed to set up as a WFOE. A WFOE requires a minimum capitalization, can generate income, pays tax in China and can repatriate profits. (Ref. 2)

A Joint Venture is a partnership between a foreign company and a local partner. A Joint Venture may be appropriate if WFOEs are not permitted in your industry classification.

A Representative Office is easier to set up than either a WFOE or JV. It costs less and does not require capitalization. However, Representative Offices may not engage in trade, receive fees for service, sign contracts or directly generate income. They are typically used for market research, promotion, and establishing or maintaining China business contacts.

A Partnership Enterprise is a new classification that came into effect March 1, 2010. It allows partnerships between foreign companies and individuals, and Chinese companies and individuals. (Ref. 2)

It typically takes 4 to 6 months to register a WFOE or JV, depending on scale and industry. (Ref. 3)

A number of government offices are involved in the process including the Ministry of Commerce or its subsidiary, the Local Industry and Commerce Administration Bureau, the State Taxation Bureau, the Local Taxation Bureau, the Foreign Administration Office of Police, the Bank, the Foreign Exchange Administration Bureau, the Public Security Bureau, and the Customs Office. (Ref. 3)

Basic Steps

Here is an outline of the basic steps to setting up a WFOE or JV in China. (Ref. 1) The process is simpler for Representative Offices.

1) Name Approval
2) Approval to Establish Company
3) Registration of Business License
4) Filing and Carving Seals
5) Enterprise Code Certification
6) Statistics Bureau Registration
7) Foreign Exchange Approval
Registration with City Tax Bureau
9) Setup of Bank Accounts
10) Customs Bureau Registration
11) Capital Verification
12) Business License Update

References

1. Orientation China Guidebook, First Edition, American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

2. Types of Business Presence in China, Path to China

3. Register a Company in China: Full registrations, Authority and Timeframe, NSW Chamber

Recommended Reading

How to Start a Business in China – WFOE, China Law Blog

How To Start A Business In China — The Minimum Capital Requirements For A WFOE, China Law Blog

Setting Up a Representative Office in China, Export.gov, US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration

How to Form a Representative Office in China, China Law Blog

8 Must-Knows about Business Set-up in China, NSW Business Chamber

Starting a Business in China, International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group

棕榈泉国际中心介绍 Maxxelli ENG –

If you have any questions or requests don’t hesitate to contact us at:
e-mail: info@maxxelli.net
tel: (86) 4000 150 600
or leave a comment on the blog

Hot Properties Chengdu April 2012_First Edition_ –

My deepest thanks to Peng Xiaohua who was indispensible in the whole process.

And to:

Vanessa Priestly, Ed Sander, Simon Brown, Prof. AI, Dieter Vanonckelen, Carmen Trias Horta, Frances Nichol, Arjen van Schaijk, Areeya Tivasuradej, Mark Treacher, Bonnie Mowery, Zeng Yali, 徐煊 Xuxuan, Li Duan

Xiaoyang (Chengrui’s mother)

Tian Jun, Wang Xiao Shi, Lianru, and all the CURA staff.

Dr. Roy Korn, Frederique Darragon, Nicholas Christiansen, 蓓蕾 Beilei, Chris Ganeff and so many more, forgive me if I haven’t listed you all here.
Community grows when people honour a commitment to laugh, shout, cry, argue, sing, and scream with, and at, one another without destroying one another or the earth in the process. We can’t ever honestly celebrate diversity if we pretend to bring in the harvest before we have tilled the ground together.
– “The Ethics of Inclusion: Three Common Delusions” by John O’Brien, Marsha Forest, Jack Pearpoint, Shafik Asante & Judith Snow

Mark

Hi All,

I am happy to let you know I will be having another show next Saturday, March 24th!!

Event: The DongXi Shop Open House
When: Saturday March 24th from 11a.m. to 4p.m.
Where: 1 Wangjiang Rd., Greenwich Village 2-31-03, Wuhou Dist. 610041
涓浗鍥涘窛鎴愰兘姝︿警鍖烘湜姹熻矾1鍙锋牸鏋楀▉娌?/span>2鏍?/span>3103鍒锛岄偖缂?/span>:610041

It is getting harder and harder to find good pieces, prices are rising and supplies are diminishing as antiques are coming back in style in Mainland China. However, I am happy to report that I got some really great pieces in; benches, armoires, a long alter table, money boxes and more. In addition to the usual favorites, I also have new gifts such as mini silk makeup bags, Chinese cufflinks, and jewelry from Shanghai. To see what we have, you can check out the website at www.thedongxishop.com

Open Wine at the Open House:
Clara from Open Wine will be at the Open House. Open Wine is an up and coming importer and distributor of fine wines focused on mainland China. Their wines are carefully selected from the world鈥檚 finest wines and their core business principal is a commitment to providing quality wines and professional services to all customers. Please check out their website at www.openwine.com.cn

Giving Back:
Have fun shopping and do a good deed at the same time! A portion of the proceeds will go to Half the Sky Foundation. They help care for and nurture orphaned children in China. To learn more about their organization click on the link www.halfthesky.org

Directions:
I live at Greenwich Village by the Jiu Yan Qiao Bridge / Bar Street and across the river from the Waterfront. If you tell the taxi Jiu Yan Qiao zai Wang Jian Lu they should know where to take you. There are two banks on either side of the main entrance. After walking through the gates, it’s the first building on the left- Building 2, Floor 31, House 3. Please feel free to call me if you need help.

Stop by anytime – If you can’t make it Saturday, but still want to come by, you are welcome anytime after 5:30PM on weekdays. Just call and we can make arrangements to meet.

Please forward this to anyone who might be interested.

I will send out another reminder next week and look forward to seeing you there.

Lindsey Stolte

Cell: +18628132032
Email: chengdudongxishop@hotmail.com
Website: www.thedongxishop.com