The Global Phoenix - Issue 4 The Global Phoenix - Issue 4 | Page 27

7. How do cultural differences impact on talent mobility?
After twenty years of inbound global assignments to China, an increasing number of westerners know
how to adapt and do business locally, and China also is becoming more open and is learning quickly
from the western world.
Basically, for most people to work and live in first and second-tier cities, there isn’t a massive culture
barrier, meaning expats and Chinese interact positively. The Chinese can be very tough in business
dealings yet at the same time flexible and willing to adapt to new opportunities presented.
8. What trends in global talent mobility in China have you noted over the past 5 years?
Over the past five years, more and more investments are moving to the second and third-tier cities away
from coast cities.
There are several reasons for this shift in focus: market competition has become intense in coastal cities,
and coupled with this, these areas are experiencing ever-increasing costs of labour together with rising
rent and other overheads.
9. What changes do you project over the next 5 years?
The shift of foreign investment to second-tier cities away from the coastline is a trend that we believe will
continue in years to come.
Second-tier cities are now well established as destinations, so we foresee those in the third-tier coming
to the fore as they offer fresh opportunities, with significantly lower overheads and an infinite talent pool
from which to source labour and skilled workers.
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