With trade of over $100 billion in 2009, the importance of China andAfrica bilateral exchanges are growing daily. This blooming relationshipincreases the need of understanding the ways of doing business.This regular column will provide a practical insight of doing businessin China, including tips and advice based on experience.

Doing business in China always involvescollaboration with Chinese entrepreneurswhether they are suppliers or partners. Inorder to make this cooperation more efficient,foreign entrepreneurs have to learn somebasic Chinese business habits and try to usethem in their relationship with their Chinesecounterparts. This point is considered as a keystrategy that will help foreign entrepreneurs tobuild strong and long-term ties in China. Somepractical insights to get closer to the Chineseentrepreneurs include: