The Global Phoenix - Issue 4 The Global Phoenix - Issue 4 | Page 24

Spotlight on: China A Multi-Tiered Destination for Multinationals We interview Wang Rong (aka Amy Wang) of Fullhome Shanghai about the destination she has lived and worked in for over twenty years. 1. Give us an overview of China as a destination. China is a vast country, both in terms of its land area and its population. From north to south, there is wide diversity in many areas: language, climate, culture and lifestyle. The richest and most developed cities are located near the south-east coastline. These cities have huge populations, offer the best business opportunities and competition, and are the most open to business relationships and exchange with the world outside China. They include Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Ningbo and Xiamen. However, there are many other large cities located in north China, west China and in central China, along the Yangzi River. These cities used to form the heavy industrial base of the country and have tremendous potential for further growth and business development. Among these are Tianjing, Changchun, Chongqing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chengdu and Najing. These cities are playing a more and more important role in the country’s economic growth. 2. Which cities are the main destinations for multinational investment and corporate relocation? Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, which are known as the first-tier cities, are the main destinations for foreign investment. These cities are the port of entry for the Chinese market. Here, foreign investors can qualify to obtain government support, and have free access to the vast local talent pool. Page 24 www.theglobalphoenix.org