China rewards the prepared. The colleagues who arrive knowing what to expect — and having done a few practical things in advance — start every meeting ahead of those who didn’t. Here’s the pre-trip checklist that actually matters.
Before You Get on the Plane
Get Your VPN Set Up at Home
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, most Western news sites, and many other familiar services are inaccessible in mainland China. Foreigners are legally permitted to use VPNs, and most business travelers do. The critical detail: download and configure your VPN before you land. The App Store and Google Play don’t function normally once you’re on the mainland, which means you can’t get a VPN after you’ve arrived. Research a reputable provider, subscribe, and test it before departure.
Install WeChat — and Start Using It Now
WeChat is not optional for doing business in China. It’s how schedules are shared, documents are sent, meetings are confirmed, and relationships are maintained. Your Chinese counterparts are almost certainly already using it. Create an account before you travel, have your contacts add you, and get familiar with the interface. Showing up without WeChat is like showing up to a meeting without a phone.
Get Bilingual Business Cards Printed
Business card exchange (名片, míng piàn) remains an important ritual in Chinese business culture. Your card should have your details in English on one side and Mandarin on the other. Have them printed properly — not a rushed job from a drugstore kiosk. Bring more than you think you’ll need.
When exchanging cards: present yours with both hands, characters facing the recipient. Receive theirs with both hands, look at it carefully, and don’t write on it or stuff it in your back pocket. A small card holder is a worthy investment.
Money and Payments
Mobile Pay Dominates — But Cash Is Backup
China is a mobile-payment society. Alipay and WeChat Pay handle the vast majority of transactions, from high-end restaurants to street food vendors. Foreigners can now link foreign credit cards to WeChat Pay for basic transactions — set this up before you go.
That said, carry some RMB cash as a backup. Not all small vendors or taxis accept foreign-card WeChat Pay, and some situations simply require physical currency.
Punctuality and Time
Be on time — ideally a few minutes early — for formal business meetings. Chinese business culture, particularly in Beijing and Shanghai corporate contexts, treats punctuality as a baseline sign of respect. Arriving late without warning is a bad first impression that’s difficult to recover from.
That said, social gatherings and informal dinners operate on a looser timeline. Arriving precisely on the dot to a dinner party can occasionally feel overeager. Read the context, and when uncertain, ask your local contact what’s appropriate.
Dress Code
Chinese business dress tends toward the formal and conservative, especially for first meetings. Err on the side of overdressed. A dark suit is universally appropriate. For women, conservative professional dress is the baseline — flashy or revealing clothing reads as unprofessional in most business contexts.
Bring a Gift for Your Host
A small, well-chosen gift for your primary host is a good investment in the relationship — especially for a first meeting. Something from your home region (specialty food, regional spirits, artisan goods) works well. Avoid clocks, green hats, pears, and anything in sets of four. Wrap it properly. Present it with both hands.
A Few Useful Phrases
You don’t need to speak Mandarin to do business in China — but a handful of phrases will be received warmly:
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) — Hello
- 谢谢 (xiè xiè) — Thank you
- 干杯 (gān bēi) — Cheers / Bottoms up
- 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ) — Very pleased to meet you
Even a slightly mangled attempt at Mandarin is usually met with genuine appreciation. It signals effort, and effort signals respect.
China rewards the prepared, and preparation here isn’t complicated — it’s a checklist. Get the VPN, load WeChat, print the bilingual cards, and show up with a gift. The rest follows.