# Silk Road International
> Asia business consulting, research, and field notes. 35 years on the ground in China and Thailand.
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Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [About](https://www.silkroadintl.net/about.md) - David A. Dayton — 35 years on the ground in China and Thailand. PhD, Associate Professor at Bangkok University, CEO of Silk Road International.
- [Contact](https://www.silkroadintl.net/contact.md) - Get in touch with Silk Road International for consulting inquiries, speaking requests, or media.
- [Home](https://www.silkroadintl.net/home.md) - Silk Road International Your branch office in Asia. Subscribe to the SRI Newsletter Field notes on doing business in China and Southeast Asia, straight to your inbox. Subscribe Success! Please check your inbox to confirm. ❖ SRI is an international coaching and consulting company that helps clients…
- [Podcast](https://www.silkroadintl.net/podcast.md) - The SRI Podcast — in-depth conversations with experts, practitioners, and researchers on China, Thailand, ASEAN, and international business culture.
- [Services](https://www.silkroadintl.net/services.md) - Cross-cultural business consulting, executive coaching, and training for companies operating in China and Thailand.

## Posts
- [China Admits It Lies About Its Own Economy. So Why Do We Still Trust the Numbers?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/china-admits-it-lies-about-its-own-economy-so-why-do-we-still-trust-the-numbers.md) - In a recent podcast, Miles Yu stated, "China is fundamentally dishonest about its economic reality." (Miles Yu, China Insider, Hudson Institute, July 2026) You'd think that statement from an academic would garner some attention from general media concerned with China and the state of global economi…
- [The 7 Big Mistakes in China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-7-big-mistakes-in-china.md) - Business culture in China is tough--even being successful comes at a cost. And the costs and difficulties are different than what we experience in the West.
- [Building Trust in China—an interview with Jared Ward of Luminous](https://www.silkroadintl.net/building-trust-in-chinaan-interview-with-jared-ward-of-luminous.md) - I had the great pleasure to be invited to talk with Jared Ward of Luminous and the OPS Unfiltered podcast. Great conversation about China and doing business there and other places in ASEAN. Here's a link. Enjoy! David Dayton on the OPS Unfiltered Podcast. Or watch on Youtube.
- [Is it now safe(r) to go to China?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/is-it-now-safer-to-go-to-china.md) - TLDR: Yes, it's physically safe, but that's not what most people are worried about. This week the US State Dept. lowered the Travel Advisory from 3 (reconsider travel) to 2 (exercise increased caution). So of course this raises the question: Is China demonstrably safer this week than last? No. But…
- [SRI Shorts China Contradictions](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-shorts-1203-china-contradictions.md) - A quick SRI Shorts take on the contradictions you run into doing business in China.
- [SRI Shorts—learn to live with contradictions](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-shortslearn-to-live-with-contradictions.md) - China is where I learned that two things can be right at the same time. More importantly, it's where I realized that being able to mentally handle and professionally manage active contradictions was the best way to deal with rapid change and stark cultural differences present in China. We see this…
- [SRI Shorts—China’s New Visa Rules](https://www.silkroadintl.net/87rarufomgl1p8kxzs3dn1247zr9nu.md) - China is offering 30 days visa-free travel (for some)! This is great news, but does it change travel in China? Um… not really. But it’s a step in the right direction.
- [SRI Shorts China's New Visa Policy](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-shorts-1125-china-visa.md) - A quick SRI Shorts look at navigating the China visa process.
- [Michell Bradley and SRI's David Dayton Discuss Corporate Culture in Asia](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-podcast-michell-bradley-corporate-culture-asia.md) - Michelle teaches global leaders how to build cultural intelligence, psychological safety, and inclusive communication across APAC and beyond. She teaching in English and Mandarin and she is the founder of Elephant Communications and an ICA-certified coach, CQ Fellow (2026), Certified Fearless Org...
- [Tang Xin and SRI's David Dayton Discuss Chinese Expats Working in Foreign Environments](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-podcast-tang-xin-chinese-expats.md) - Tang Xin is a global Chinese expat with decades of experience in multiple countries. He has worked for Chinese and foreign companies both in and outside of China. He currently resides in Chengdu with his family.
- [Renaud Anjoran and SRI's David Dayton talk about manufacturing in China over the last three decades](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-podcast-renaud-anjoran-manufacturing-china.md) - Renaud is the founder of Sofeast. He started working on the ground in China for foreign buyers in 2006. He writes practical advice for importers several times a week on the qualityinspection.org blog.
- [Elliott Zaagman and SRI's David Dayton talk about working in China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-podcast-elliott-zaagman-working-in-china.md) - Elliott is an executive coach, corporate trainer, and writer who focuses on how Chinese leaders and organizations interact with their global employees and the public.
- [Dan Harris and SRI's David Dayton Discuss Law and Business in China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-podcast-dan-harris-law-business-china.md) - Dan Harris is a founder of Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm with lawyers in Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle, China, and Spain. He represents companies doing business in emerging market countries, mostly in Asia and Latin America.
- [Steve Wood and SRI's David Dayton talk about doing business and living in China and the Middle East](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-podcast-steve-wood-china-middle-east.md) - Steve is a transformational Human Resource and Change Management Leader with over 25 years serving Global Fortune 500 companies ranging in size from 200 to 320,000 employees.
- [SRI Corporate Cultures Podcast Episode 6: Wayne Goeckeritz](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-corporate-cultures-podcast-wayne-goeckeritz.md) - SRI's David Dayton and guest Wayne Goeckeritz discuss some of the culture differences that come up when working with Chinese companies and cyber security issues that accompany working with non-Western clients.
- [SRI Corporate Cultures Podcast Episode 5: Nick Wilshire of AusCham in Jiangxi, China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-corporate-cultures-podcast-nick-wilshire.md) - Nick is a Vice-Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce South China and a 20-year vet of working in China. Nick talks to SRI's David Dayton about manufacturing and legal issues in Jiangxi, working and training for a 1/2 marathon during quarantine, and Aussie Cham dealings in Shenzhen and Hong ...
- [A better way to look at corruption, a review of Ang’s China’s Gilded Age.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/a-better-way-to-look-at-corruption-a-review-of-angs-chinas-gilded-age.md) - Yuen Yuen Ang’s China’s Gilded Age
- [SRI Corporate Cultures Podcast: Nathan Draper & Fai Rynyarat, Multilingual MC in Bangkok](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-corporate-cultures-podcast-nathan-fai-bangkok.md) - SRI's David Dayton is joined by co-host Nathan Draper and Multi-lingual MC Fai Rynyarat to discuss language, Thai business culture, and working in Bangkok with foreigners from different countries.
- [SRI Corporate Cultures Podcast: Dr. Eric Hyer on China's Global Balancing Act](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-corporate-cultures-podcast-eric-hyer.md) - SRI's David Dayton talks with BYU professor of political science and Asian studies, Dr. Eric Hyer, about China and its international balancing of relationships with Russia, the US, and the rest of the world. We discuss implications for Taiwan, business opportunities moving forward as well as wher...
- [SRI Corporate Cultures Podcast: Nathan Draper on Bangkok During COVID Restrictions](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-corporate-cultures-podcast-nathan-draper-bangkok.md) - SRI's David Dayton and Nathan Draper discuss the CV restrictions and processes for getting back into Thailand, new and mostly unseen recent development projects in BKK, and how the famous laid-back Thai attitude has helped people in the Kingdom cope with the economic issues surrounding CV restric...
- [Interview: Sarah Visser and Andrea Hill](https://www.silkroadintl.net/interview-sarah-visser-and-andrea-hill.md) - David sits down with Sarah Visser and Andrea Hill for a conversation on the SRI podcast.
- [SRI Interview: Craig Morris](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-interview-craig-morris.md) - David interviews Craig Morris for the SRI podcast.
- [SRI Corporate Cultures Podcast: Greg Bryant on Business During Lockdowns in Shenzhen](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-corporate-cultures-podcast-greg-bryant.md) - SRI's David Dayton and Greg Bryant discuss doing business during lockdowns in Shenzhen China. Greg is a consultant in the immigration industry as well as an entrepreneur and international franchisee in China.
- [SRI's David Dayton interviews Dan Hill and John Visser](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sris-david-dayton-interviews-dan-hill-and-john-visser.md) - David talks with Dan Hill and John Visser on the SRI podcast.
- [Face and Leadership (in Thailand)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/face-and-leadership-in-thailand.md) - Larry has written one of the best books on Thai culture that I've ever read, The Way Thais Lead. His focus is face and leadership, but what is really valuable is his in-depth research combined with his lifetime of experience in Thailand. The book dissects Th
- [May Day News](https://www.silkroadintl.net/may-day-news.md) - I wonder what’s coming up for May 5th in China. And May 35th too. My mother and grandmother before her would always make homemade spudnuts (think slightly potato-flavored somewhat-dense but very delicious frosted donuts) and have the kids weave ribbons around the May Pole. As is usually the case, i…
- [China as world leader?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/china-as-world-leader.md) - This is an opinion piece that seems to have hit the nail on the head re structural problems that led to the pandemic. And one of the structural issues is that China feels free to crush Hong Kong. And continue the repression of religion and identity in Tibet. And the response is literally prioritizi…
- [I've had enough (not necessarily China-related)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/ive-had-enough-not-necessarily-china-related.md) - I'm no statistician, but it seems abundantly clear to me that no one knows what the hell is really going on. Some countries are claiming victory (SW, CN, TW) while most are still in lockdown. Most of those in lockdown are now decidedly divided between those that want to keep the lockdown and those…
- [Trying to Graduate, late news updates](https://www.silkroadintl.net/trying-to-graduate-late-news-updates.md) - News for April 13-19 This week is a double bonus! Two weeks at once! Ok, it's not really a bonus, I was late with last week's news (and yesterday's too) because I’m desperately trying to finish my dissertation this month so I can graduate in August. Sorry for the delay! Wish me luck! Calls for free…
- [April Fools: People that Beleive #'s from China.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/april-fools-people-that-beleive-s-from-china.md) - April Fool’s News (March 29-April 4) BEST NEWS SO FAR THIS MONTH—and, no, it’s not a joke: Possible Vaccine! And now to what I had previously written. I have a number of friends in the US that are/were members of the CCP prior to moving to the US, usually for graduate school. Most of them are adama…
- [If you don't believe China, you're either a denier or actively spreading the disease.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/if-you-dont-believe-china-youre-either-a-denier-or-actively-spreading-the-disease.md) - I'm not going to link to the articles but the CCP is blaming both a US military woman and/or Italy for the source of the outbreak and at the same time demanding gratitude from everyone for saving the world. CCP is working overtime coming up with those whoppers. The PAP, Chinese special security for…
- ["Dogs and Cats living together, mass hysteria!"](https://www.silkroadintl.net/dogs-and-cats-living-together-mass-hysteria.md) - I broke a pin on one of my guns the other day and had to get it fixed. The guy at the gunshop on Saturday said to me, "Coronavirus is almost as good for business as Obama was!" Yup, the world is crazy and we're all going to die. Sorry. But, before you kick the bucket, here are some books and other…
- [What are you more afraid of? Racism, no TP, Covid-19?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/what-are-you-more-afraid-of-racism-no-tp-covid-19.md) - Here is my take on news of the last week. 1. It's still bad, Covid-19-wise, though trending better in China, but not really anywhere else. Though the #s in the US seem to suggest that it's not quite as deadly as was originally thought. Unis and school districts where I live are discussing shutting…
- [Info control is a really really big deal--This (not military) is the real China threat](https://www.silkroadintl.net/info-control-is-a-really-really-big-deal-this-not-military-is-the-real-china-threat.md) - The collecting of online news that’s been censored in China. Short YouTube clip about the collectors, and an article about the same. I agree that this is very important, but also, I watch this as I watch the fictional show The Hunters on Amazon Prime and I wonder if this collection of info will do…
- [Weekend Update (without Kevin Nealon, sorry)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/weekend-update-without-kevin-nealon-sorry.md) - US can’t get data from China. That might not be a bad thing, though since Scientists can’t confirm the validity of the Chinese numbers. This is a good piece, but I doubt that there has been much negative change on the ground to Xi’s power. Probably the most problematic long-term result of the Covid…
- [Chinese Foreign Policy Primer](https://www.silkroadintl.net/chinese-foreign-policy-primer.md) - If you weren’t sure about how China conducts foreign policy, this week’s news could be a primer for you. In addition to bogus disease numbers (see below), monetary and political influence at WHO, China also threatened an editor in Nepal, threatened to retaliate against Czech companies in China, and…
- [Today's China news-Corvid-19 dominates the headlines](https://www.silkroadintl.net/todays-china-news-corvid-19-dominates-the-headlines.md) - I've not posted for a while as I'm trying to complete my dissertation. It's been about 1 year now since I've completed my research and I'm hopeful that I'll defend and graduate this summer. We'll see. Some days I'm hopeful and somedays I feel overwhelmed and lost in data, news, ethnographic stories…
- [The "New" China Threat](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-new-china-threat.md) - Here is the challenge, presented by Huawei to the world: If you think we're a company of (potential) spies and a security threat, then publicly prove it! Here is a not so polite, and rather hostile answer. But an answer that I factually don't disagree with. In short: ““All organizations and citizen…
- [The CCP & US Policy on Chinese Immigration and Espionage, Part III--Epilogue.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-ccp-us-policy-on-chinese-immigration-and-espionage-part-iii-epilogue.md) - This is an epilogue written in the months since the original article. Part I with the original article is here, Part II with the editor's comments is here.Increasingly, Chinese outside of China are expressing feelings of “uncomfortableness” about their perceived foreignness. The trade war is said t…
- [The CCP & US Policy on Chinese Immigration and Espionage, Part II--Editor's Discussion](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-ccp-us-policy-on-chinese-immigration-and-espionage-part-ii-editors-discussion.md) - UPDATE 10.12.18: From the article, Google's China Problem is America's China Problem: Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at Hoover, told me: “If you understand how China operates, it would be shocking to the point of disbelief if they were not in an organized fashion trying to penetrate Google.”And thi…
- [Update on Part 1 of CCP, US Immigration, Espionage, etc.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/update-on-part-1-of-ccp-us-pol.md) - Since I posted on Wednesday the world has published a ton of articles all agreeing with my position. OK, they aren't responding to me, we just all happen to be writing about the same topic. But it’s nice to know that the opinion that I developed in July, and which was rejected by an editor (in Chin…
- [The CCP and US Policy on Chinese Immigrants and Espionage. Part I](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-ccp-and-us-policy-on-chinese-immigrants-and-espionage-part-i.md) - The following is an article that I was asked to submit to a journal, and the following posts will detail the subsequent review process that ultimately led to my withdrawal of the submission. I feel that the article was thoughtful but certainly needed some help and direction. You’ll see the editor a…
- [Adaptation vs Innovation? Maybe it’s the wrong question.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/1767.md) - One of the critiques of China is that it doesn't have a creative, innovative domestic business environment. But two recent articles made me question whether that is really necessary, or even advisable, for China or other countries trying to play catch up to the US. (I don’t have room to discuss the…
- [National Security and Chinese Businesses](https://www.silkroadintl.net/1763.md) - National security fears.With two large Chinese projects being halted or terminate in the US this last month (ANT and Huawei), the specter of Chinese state sponsored corporate espionage was center stage. US and Chinese analysts are all pointing to a “trust gap” in the US with Chinese investors. Spec…
- [Questions about how do deal with a Global China (in Hong Kong)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/questions-about-how-do-deal-with-a-global-china-in-hong-kong.md) - I love to listen to the witty and very knowledgable banter of Kaiser Kuo and Jeremy Goldkorn over at the Sinica Podcast on SupChina. I’ve been listening to these guys for years now—long before they started SupChina when it was still hosted at Pop-up Chinese (and also long enough to know that they a…
- [Readings and other Conversations](https://www.silkroadintl.net/readings-and-other-conversations.md) - Over the last month in Shenzhen not only have I been blessed to have a very cooperative and generous host company allow me to observe their daily work, but I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to interview another 15-20 individuals, foreign and Chinese, about their own personal experiences with Chine…
- [What's the Difference Between a Duck? (AKA: Nonessentialized Chinenessness)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/whats-the-difference-between-a-duck-aka-nonessentialized-chinenessness.md) - What’s the Difference Between a Duck?When I was a kid my dad used to always joke around and ask me this question. We’d be in the car or at dinner and he’d get serious and look me in the eyes and then say, without any hint of a smile, “What’s the difference between a duck?” For years I never said an…
- [5 Years Later...Back Home in Shenzhen.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/5-years-later-back-home-in-shenzhen.md) - After a few years in school, being back in Shenzhen, where I lived for almost a decade, has been an enjoyable readjustment. I moved back into our own home in Futian and now conduct PhD research in an office very close to where my own office was a few years back. My routine hasn’t change that much.…
- [Singapore as US Values Partner in SEA?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/singapore-as-us-values-partner-in-sea.md) - I had the very enjoyable opportunity to listen to two US Ambassadors to Singapore, Former Ambassador Steven Green who is a UofM alum and long-time resident of the Miami area, and also current Ambassador Wagar who lived/worked in SFL for a number of years prior to being posted to Singapore. Both wer…
- [Xi vs the Pope](https://www.silkroadintl.net/xi-vs-the-pope.md) - President Xi and the Pope both arrived in the US this week. Landing on opposite sides of the country, their arrivals couldn’t have been more different. The Pope, great by President Obama with a bow and hand-kiss at the airport, was welcomed with all the pomp and circumstance usually reserved for, w…
- [Chinese Middle Class Values...anyone? Anyone?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/chinese-middle-class-values-anyone-anyone.md) - This is an older post, from 2015, that I just found in a drafts folder today (2018) and thought I should post anyway. I wondered how much has changed in the ensuing 3 years? One of the things that continues to intrigue me about incredible rise of China is a seemingly mandatory desire for immediate…
- [Ah, the memories; The Made in China Diary](https://www.silkroadintl.net/ah-the-memories-the-made-in-china-diary.md) - Wow. Wish that I'd thought of this! (h/t Wired Magazine) Kudos the to (Swiss) authors/photog's that did though. Great idea. Some really good shots of "what it's really like to manufacture in China;" everything from shops set up in the living room to world-class tech. I've been to each of these plac…
- [Is China a Threat? Part 20457948571-048571](https://www.silkroadintl.net/is-china-a-threat-part-20457948571-048571.md) - Last month I was given a copy of an email from the local head of a national political party in the US with an all too common sentiment—China is a threat! We need to limit our international exposure via govt fiat ASAP. I won’t share the source or all the back and forth, but I’ll say this: In my opin…
- [When 5%-10% more is a bargin](https://www.silkroadintl.net/when-5-10-more-is-a-bargin.md) - The background on this great idea comes from Wired Magazine. But more than the great idea, and a Utah company to boot, the look into their issues dealing with China are insightful. From the article: Davis has run billion-dollar divisions of global conglomerates with integrated supply chains and the…
- ["Life, uh... finds a way."](https://www.silkroadintl.net/life-uh-finds-a-way.md) - John Hammond: [as they gather around a baby dinosaur hatching from its egg] I've been present for the birth of every little creature on this island.Dr. Ian Malcolm: Surely not the ones that are bred in the wild?Henry Wu: Actually they can't breed in the wild. Population control is one of our securi…
- [The more things change...](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-more-things-change-2-2.md) - ...the more they stay the same.Shocker: Official and unofficial numbers for China 2012 economy are not the same!!! And, hold your breath…..the official numbers not only aren't accurate they've erred on the side of making last year's downturn less dramatic and the upturn more impressive. Amazing how…
- [Creativity--It's not that they can't...](https://www.silkroadintl.net/creativity-its-not-that-they-cant.md) - ...They've just never been asked to do it before.Interesting article in the WSJ about the lack of creativity in Asian graduates. But I think that the article misses the point. The conclusion is that Asian grads aren't creative because they don't have he soft skills that come from a liberal educatio…
- [Are you performing The Ferrari Test?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/are-you-performing-the-ferrari-test.md) - Don't let the fact that the companies in this article are all large lull you into to thinking you're too small to get ripped or that you're too important a client for your factory to pull these kinds of tricks on you: Despite well-known risks in China, auditors there often are not inquisitive enoug…
- [How to get off the negotiations carousel.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/how-to-get-off-the-negotiations-carousel.md) - Great post by Dan over at CLB again today. Talking about the difficulty in getting your supplier/manufacturer to give you and then stick with a fixed price. Basically, it's not going to happen. But there are things that can be done about it to save both your bottom line and your sanity. Price chang…
- [Why do good companies stumble in China?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/why-do-good-companies-stumble-in-china.md) - This is a response to a question by Dan Harris of China Law Blog Fame. why do some companies seem to just coast into China while others stumble in and never recover? What more should we be writing about to help those seeking to do business in China or to sell to China? Dan, you’ve hit the nail on t…
- [Culture of Copy](https://www.silkroadintl.net/culture-of-copy.md) - The money quote from Bianca Bosker, the Author of Original Copies, in an interview with the WSJ China Real Times Reporter James T. Areddy: "In the West there is a sense that copy is very taboo. It’s a terrible thing. It’s a sign of a lack of imagination."In China, copy doesn’t have the same stigma.…
- [What happens when the miracle is over?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/what-happens-when-the-miracle-is-over.md) - Not sure yet, but it looks like it will be very very bad. And it's coming sooner than many want to believe. From the article: We now know that [rehypothecated assets] has been happening in China with the most critical component of its economic growth miracle: steel. We will soon discover that all o…
- [Sssshhhhh…. Don't tell anyone](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sssshhhhh-dont-tell-anyone.md) - From the NYT: "China’s food-safety problems highlight both the collapse of the country’s business ethics and the failure of government regulators to keep pace with the expanding market economy. Yet an excessive focus on poor government oversight often means that the much graver problem of disintegr…
- [S.N.O.R your way to China – Guide before you go. Guest Blog Post](https://www.silkroadintl.net/s-n-o-r-your-way-to-china-guide-before-you-go.md) - Snoring is a type of action we do when we are not aware of it (hopefully….), it happens when we are unconscious. I want to help fellow entrepreneurs here to get out of this unconsciousness and have a S.N.O.R plan. A VERY conscious 4 step plan to be ready to move to China.Step 1: S for skillsSkills…
- [Guanxi and Contracts--A Chinese explaination from the US.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/guanxi-and-contracts-a-chinese-explaination-from-the-us.md) - Some fantastic opportunities to learn about China are more and more available in the US. While in the US this month I attended a couple of sessions of the UVU Doing Business with China seminar in Utah. First, Andrew Hupert presented a great keynote address on Guanxi. All that needs to be said/known…
- ["Would you make the same decisions in a foreign language as you would in your native tongue?”](https://www.silkroadintl.net/would-you-make-the-same-decisions-in-a-foreign-language-as-you-would-in-your-native-tongue.md) - “Would you make the same decisions in a foreign language as you would in your native tongue?” asked psychologists led by Boaz Keysar of the University of Chicago in an April 18 Psychological Science study.“It may be intuitive that people would make the same choices regardless of the language they a…
- [Un-Fair!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/un-fair.md) - You’re playing with a stacked deck when you go to fairs and trade-shows. It’s best to do some due diligence work beforehand and keep you cards close to your vest while there. Part of the problem is that you likely don’t speak Chinese, and English may or may not be good enough to negotiate quality o…
- [Talk with People who really know (i.e. people who are here)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/talk-with-people-who-really-know-i-e-people-who-are-here.md) - Tivo is great. I can watch TV from the US on my computer in China. One of my favorite commercials from the US that I've seen while watching the NCAA Tourney at 4AM list last month is the direct TV commercial that ends, "Don't have a grandson with a dog collar." Yup, using the wrong service provider…
- [Who do you like to work with?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/who-do-you-like-to-work-with.md) - Probably who you identify most easily with. A year or so ago my then 5 year-old told me, in all seriousness, "Dad I'm like Kobe, not white like you. " Suppressing laughter I responded, "Actually, you're more like Yaoming than Kobe. " But he was insistent. He was "black like Kobe" he told me. Now he…
- [The More Things Change...](https://www.silkroadintl.net/the-more-things-change-2.md) - The more they stay the same. From Michael May at the East Asian Forum, Curbing corruption in China One of Hu Jintao’s first addresses to party leaders in 2012 included an order to fight harder against corruption. The fight is crucial, but a poor record of success gives little reason for optimism. T…
- [Chinese New Year And Other Reasons Why You’ll Be Late](https://www.silkroadintl.net/chinese-new-year-and-other-reasons-why-youll-be-late.md) - If you’re starting projects this month chances are, unless you’ve already had very explicit conversations about delivery dates with your supplier, you may be shocked when your supplier (and everyone in his factory) goes on vacation in Jan and you’re left waiting around for two weeks for an update o…
- [What China's Really Like, A Chinese Perspective.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/what-chinas-really-like-a-chinese-perspective.md) - Here's the link (h/t China Hope Live). Here's a great commentary/follow up.And here's the complete text (from the PDF at the link). 把怪物关进笼子里Caging a MonsterMurong XuecunTranslated by Jane Weizhen Pan and Martin Merz我是一个中国作家,在这里向你介绍一下我的国家。正如你们所知,在过去的三 十年里,这个国家建造了无数高楼,修了无数机场,铺平了无数道路,它的GDP位居 全球第二,它制造的…
- [Bribes, Returns and Enforcing Chinese Legal Decisions](https://www.silkroadintl.net/bribes-returns-and-enforcing-chinese-legal-decisions.md) - 17/11/11 UPDATE FROM THE WSJ TODAY : "China poses a high corruption risk. No secret there. But did you know it also poses the broadest risk of any country?" And this too: "...almost anyone could be a target. I heard this when I was in Germany and Switzerland, where there’s deep concern about protec…
- ["None More Black"](https://www.silkroadintl.net/none-more-black.md) - Happy Nigel Tufnel Day! 11.11.11 “It’s one more louder!”____________________"It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life. "Both Nigel and Phil got it right, it's black and getting darker. I’ve been consistent in my view that China will not only not save…
- [David Dayton--Working in China Webinar--Thursday Nov 3rd](https://www.silkroadintl.net/david-dayton-working-in-china-webinar-thursday-nov-3rd.md) - David Dayton will be speaking at 9:30 AM EST on Thursday Nov 3rd (tomorrow) for China Business Webinars. This the presentation will focus on preparing to work within Chinese culture and with Chinese suppliers in China. You can register here (it’s free!).David Dayton is the owner and manager of SRI.…
- [Show follow up, next steps in China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/show-follow-up-next-steps-in-china.md) - Link update: Registration Link was broken--here's the new one.Perfect timing: I've been invited to speak at China Business Webinars on Thursday Nov 3rd at 9:30AM EST. In my own humble opinion, this is a must for anyone that is planning on coming to China to work, the presentation will focus on prep…
- [And now for something completely different....](https://www.silkroadintl.net/and-now-for-something-completely-different.md) - We've never had a post from anyone that was not an SRI employee. Today is the first.The most trusted source of Asian suppliers!October 20, 2011 by Global SourcesMany buyers don’t do business with China suppliers because they think most of them are unreliable. Well, Global Sources has got the sourci…
- [Location, location, location and other suggestions for selecting the best supplier](https://www.silkroadintl.net/location-location-location-and-other-suggestions-for-selecting-the-best-supplier.md) - 1. Location counts—Sure the price may be better, but you need to factor in how long people have been doing business both in that factory and in that area (sub suppliers). The rule of thumb is this: the most advanced suppliers are found in HK/Taiwan, then Guandong, then other East Coast cities, then…
- [So what’s China really like? Part 62704](https://www.silkroadintl.net/so-whats-china-really-like-part-62704.md) - Like I've said before, this is probably the question that I get asked the most—and the answer, today from the WSJ, is: “it depends on which part of the elephant you’re touching at the moment.” From the article, “He said he didn’t think corporate transparency was any worse now than before, but “I do…
- [A Chinese Steve Jobs? Also: SRI Speaking Schedule for Oct](https://www.silkroadintl.net/a-chinese-steve-jobs-also-sri-speaking-schedule-for-oct.md) - First my speaking schedule for October. I will be speaking in HK and online 7 times in the next 4 weeks. Most of the presentations will be at the Global Sources China Sourcing Fair held at the Hong Kong Asia-World Expo out by the Hong Kong Airport.First presentation: Buying from China: What new buy…
- [What to ask for at a tradeshow (and afterwards too)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/what-to-ask-for-at-a-tradeshow-and-afterwards-too.md) - I recently received this email from someone planning on going to a show this fall and I thought that it would be a good blog since I get multiple similar requests each year about this time. Good-day David,I read your piece on "It's just a little bit more. They can afford it, right?" I enjoyed your…
- [7 Days in China-years can seem like a lifetime.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/7-days-in-china-years-can-seem-like-a-lifetime.md) - Some weeks are better than others. Some are just down right awful. This last week was one of those weeks, where everything goes wrong.1. A Fight! A Fight! One of our factories has been complaining since we paid the deposit that we are too strict with our QC. We’re not doing anything out of the usua…
- [Sometimes Contracts are Not Enough](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sometimes-contracts-are-not-enough.md) - Sometimes contracts just don’t work. Sometimes you not only don’t get what you ordered but you’re left with no viable options for exit or resolution. Even ”if you can’t do it, just return my money and we’ll call it good” gets you nothing. This is rarely ever successful. In China, just because you c…
- [Endangered Species: Chinese Middle Managers](https://www.silkroadintl.net/endangered-species-chinese-middle-managers.md) - I’ve been telling people for years that China doesn’t have enough mid-level managers. Most factories have the one or two guys that started the company with 10 years of experience and then a bunch of line workers and college grads all with either no education or training and/or only a couple years o…
- [It's just a little bit more, they can afford it, right?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/its-just-a-little-bit-more-they-can-afford-it-right.md) - A couple months ago I ran across a very interesting piece about working with suppliers. The story was that suppliers are no longer willing to work with buyers that are “difficult.” Typically the “we don’t make much profit” line is part of the give and take of the pre-order negotiations. But this ti…
- [Corruption and the Price of Coffee in China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/corruption-and-the-price-of-coffee-in-china.md) - I had a very interesting lunch last week with some foreign (overseas-Chinese) investors, the manager of one retail location of a int’l coffee chain and one of the lawyers that does some work for the same. The discussion was centered around opening up a new western franchise food venture in southern…
- [Getting to "I Don't Know"](https://www.silkroadintl.net/getting-to-i-dont-know.md) - Beyond doing things correctly (correct materials, correct standards, correct processing, correct completed product) when working with suppliers I really only have three other expectations. 1. We're going to be very strict about QC and testing. 2. I need to have a schedule--I know things change, but…
- [Just Suck it up and Learn Chinese!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/just-suck-it-up-and-learn-chinese.md) - Update 30/07/11: Another reader sent me this link: daily news article in Chinese and English with highlighted terms for study.-----------------------One of the points I make in my presentations at various shows around Asia (Buying From China, What New Buyers Need to Know) is that regular China buye…
- [When your supplier is not arguing to "win"](https://www.silkroadintl.net/when-your-supplier-is-not-arguing-to-win.md) - UPDATE 20.07.2011: Same conclusion, much larger scale. Is China becoming a country where rioting is the best way to get anything done? ____________One of the things that I’ve learned (through painful experience) while working in China over the years is that Chinese and Westerners (Americans at leas…
- [Why you should learn from others' mistakes in China...](https://www.silkroadintl.net/why-you-should-learn-from-others-mistakes-in-china.md) - 12 July 2011 UPDATE: Very interesting post by Steve at CLB on Foreigner on Foreigner Fraud in China. I've never had any clients come to us with this specific type of case, but I agree with Steve that it's surprising that business people from well developed business economies are still falling for t…
- [How cutting costs can actually cost you more.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/how-cutting-costs-can-actually-cost-you-more.md) - We work with a client whose buyer chronically asks for us to lower their costs. Every order, every item, every time, multiple requests. It’s their MO. It’s like they were taught in MBA school that “if you don’t try to cut the price, you never now what you can save.” And while I agree with the logic…
- [Arab, Indian and African complaints about product from Chinese suppliers.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/arab-indian-and-african-complaints-about-product-from-chinese-suppliers.md) - First, for those who attended the presentations and couldn't receive the email with the PDF of the presentation, here are downloadable files of presentations from the Dubai show. Parts One and Two.Second, this is another follow up on the “feeling” of the Global Sources show in Dubai. And while I’m…
- [It's a small world after all (come on, sing it with me!)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/its-a-small-world-after-all-come-on-sign-it-with-me.md) - One of the stories that my father always retells to others is about the time that I called him from the top of the Great Wall. He was in Utah on a quite Sunday AM and I had just climbed to the top of the Wall at Huanghua, near Beijing. I think that it blew his mind to get a call from out of the blu…
- [Guanxi is "a Critical Factor in Business Success" in China. Who Knew?!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/guanxi-is-a-critical-factor-in-business-success-in-china-who-knew.md) - According to a recent survey by YouGov and London’s Legatum Institute, "93 percent of Chinese entrepreneurs cite guanxi—connections with government officials—as a critical factor in business success. "I had a client email me this article and ask me, "Is it really still like this? I thought that Chi…
- [Chinese, Masters of the No-Look Pass!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/chinese-masters-of-the-no-look-pass.md) - 10 more reasons why driving in China is like doing business in China. While some don’t like this analogy, the more I drive the more appropriate I find the analogy. My first installment of Driving and Business is here. And more on driving tests in China here.My theory here is that people have person…
- [Q & A about Importing, Part II](https://www.silkroadintl.net/q-a-about-importing-part-ii.md) - READER QUESTION: I have been approached by some Chinese businessman who are requesting that I source and import some items from Europe. I do not have a registered company, but I am able to orchestrate the affair. I am currently in China, but I would really appreciate some insight into how one shoul…
- [Trade show wrap-up, useful links and a big THANKS!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/trade-show-wrap-up-useful-links-and-a-big-thanks.md) - Over the past three weeks I've had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of people at 8 different shows in Guangzhou and Hong Kong--that's significant because it means that even over Passover/Easter weekend there are more buyers coming to the HK shows than we've seen in the past two years. While the…
- [Who's responsible for a container full of worthless product?](https://www.silkroadintl.net/whos-responsible-for-a-container-full-of-worthless-product.md) - As I’ve meet buyers at the recent tradeshows I’ve been hearing some stories about buyers being shocked at containers showing up with bad product from their supplier in China. In addition to the truth that each has a sad story and they all have indeed been lied to, most have a couple of other things…
- [Video & Notes from The Global Sources Hong Kong Electronics Show](https://www.silkroadintl.net/video-notes-from-the-global-sources-hong-kong-electronics-show.md) - For those of you not able to attend the HK show, here is my presentation from the Buying From China: What New Buyers Need to Know show last week.What New Buyers Need to Know (video link). Once I get out of China, I'll post it on Youtube so the video can be in this post and not just a link. I'll be…
- [SRI, Live and in Person!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-live-and-in-person.md) - Once again, it's time for our bi-annual shameless self promotion event, otherwise know as the SRI Spring Public Speaking Schedule. Below are links to where you can find me and also new SRI content over the next 30 days.First, the latest issue of the CISC China Sourcer magazine is available for free…
- [Same Story, Different Day](https://www.silkroadintl.net/same-story-different-day.md) - Just this last week we’ve had a few events that I considered fairly typical for China but that each shocked our clients and sent them panicking (the price for telling the truth is the “damage control” necessary afterwards). Heres what happened and what we did.First, The factory totally used the wro…
- [You Think China's Weathered The Storm? Wait for it...](https://www.silkroadintl.net/you-think-chinas-weathered-the-storm-wait-for-it.md) - A factory owner related to me the reality of the current situation in China--we were complaining about quality, nothing new here. They were complaining about how strict our QC was, also nothing new. But what was new was the request from the owner--he said: "you need to teach your QC that China is c…
- [“Don’t ever be famous person in China”](https://www.silkroadintl.net/dont-ever-be-famous-person-in-china.md) - 23/02/2011 UPDATE:Full text of article that I wrote about Alibaba-Gate for Global Sources can be read here. Excerpts from my article and others' articles about the issue are here.And another piece by my friend and partner at CSIC, Mike Bellamy can be seen here and here._____________________________…
- [Best of the Year, 2010--Happy Chinese New Year!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/best-of-the-year-2010-happy-chinese-new-year.md) - Happy Chinese New Year!Yup, Chinese New Year is now officially over, but no not everyone is back to work yet. We still have multiple suppliers that have seen less than 1/2 their previous staff return to their jobs (in Guangdong Province, mostly). So while you're waiting for everything to get back t…
- [Then and Now, a China Watcher’s Tale, John Pomfret.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/then-and-now-a-china-watchers-tale-john-pomfret.md) - These are my notes from a speech by John Pomfret today. I got just a moment afterwards to talk...so many more questions that I wanted to ask. It was a nice talk but I wanted more on his book and more on his personal experiences in China. I tried to ask questions that were directed toward practical…
- [Cold War 2.0](https://www.silkroadintl.net/cold-war-2-0.md) - I meet with one of the speech writers for Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld on Saturday. We had a nice lunch and good discussion about China. One of the things that we both shared in common was the idea that China, at least militarily, is not really a threat. Yet. He had a couple of specific insights i…
- [Answers You Don't Really Want](https://www.silkroadintl.net/answers-you-dont-really-want.md) - “You know you don’t want the answers, so why do you keep asking the questions?” That was the question that I was asked last week. These are some of the questions that I was asking: 1. Why did you sign the contract if you didn’t agree with it or even read it? 2. Why did you give me a bid for this pr…
- [Working with China, Tim Stratford's Ideas/Experience (and some of my own thoughts too)](https://www.silkroadintl.net/working-with-china-tim-stratfords-ideasexperience-and-some-of-my-own-thoughts-too.md) - At the request of the Office of the President, I work with a local university in Utah as they implement a new Chinese program. As part of that, I had the opportunity to listen to and then chat with Tim Stratford for a few minutes this week as he spoke at the UVU China Initiative luncheon. His topic…
- [Illegal vs. Unavailable](https://www.silkroadintl.net/illegal-vs-unavailable.md) - Skype is now technically illegal in China. Read here for more details. But that, like just about everything else from religion to prostitution that is also technically illegal in China, doesn’t mean that it’s not still available. The two lines from the article that can be applies to many things in…
- [SRI: Live at the Kempinski Nanshan!](https://www.silkroadintl.net/sri-live-at-the-kempinski-nanshan.md) - Tomorrow in Shenzhen, I'll be the Keynote speaker for the Chief Executive China annual forum: New Export Strategies, sponsored by PayPal. The audience is expected to be 300-400 major suppliers from all over China and will be held in the afternoon at the Kempinski hotel in the Nanshan district of Sh…
- [Leverage, if you don't have it, it doesn't matter what else you do have.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/leverage-if-you-dont-have-it-it-doesnt-matter-what-else-you-do-have.md) - Two great articles on the Chinese Economy. 1. NYT 2. Blog Two new clients came to SRI this week requesting help with basically the same problem. First was a company that had contracted out for some custom manufacturing of a stitched bag. They had done a bit of due diligence and had even visited the…
- [Living in China](https://www.silkroadintl.net/living-in-china.md) - This is the third posting from SRI's current Intern, Eric Luker, from BYU's Kennedy Center for International Studies.Living in ChinaHaving been here in china for several months, I now feel that I am getting used to some of the cultural differences that make living in China hard, at least for many p…
- ["This Project Is More Difficult Than We Originally Thought..."](https://www.silkroadintl.net/this-project-is-more-difficult-than-we-originally-thought.md) - One of the most frustrating things that I hear on a regular basis from suppliers in China is some version of this: “This project is really difficult.” I agree. Most things of value in life are. What’s the point behind the words, though is the real issue? It’s a complaint. But there is a point; some…
- ["Hug a Vet! Yea, I said it!"*](https://www.silkroadintl.net/thank-a-vet-yea-i-said-it.md) - I’ll be the first to admit that I’m addicted to Asia--I love the people, the history, the art and architecture ,the languages, the beaches, the massages, the food, the religions, the hustle and bustle of huge cities, the calm countrysides, beautiful mountains. But even though I’ve lived in Asia for…
- [Some times nothing is better than something.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/some-times-nothing-is-better-than-something.md) - Sometimes getting something is just not better than getting nothing. For example, 60% of your order on time and the rest weeks later not only isn’t helpful if you have to deliver 80-90% on-time to a single distributor, it can be downright disastrous for your future business. My experience is that m…
- [What to do when there is no incentive to continue](https://www.silkroadintl.net/what-to-do-when-there-is-no-incentive-to-continue.md) - No matter what the reason, when your factory has officially passed the we’re-losing-money-on-this-project point, expect to see product laying around, no more QC, no managers, and expect no one to answer your calls. This is what happened to us last month. We had a project worth hundreds of thousands…
- [Always Check Yourself](https://www.silkroadintl.net/always-check-yourself.md) - This is the second posting from SRI's current Intern, Eric Luker, from BYU's Kennedy Center for International Studies.Quality, quality, quality. Quality equals money, which is most likely why it is the hardest thing to get. Over the last few weeks I have learned that you should never trust a factor…
- [A little goes a long way.](https://www.silkroadintl.net/a-little-goes-a-long-way.md) - No matter how well you plan, there are almost always problems that arise prior to shipping quality product from China. It’s debatable whether China itself is inherently problematic or not, but sourcing, managing production and doing quality control from 5000 miles away (more or less) certainly is.…
- [Guanxi, Tradeshows, Free Stuff and the China Law Blog](https://www.silkroadintl.net/guanxi-tradeshows-free-stuff-and-the-china-law-blog.md) - First, if you're not reading The China Sourcer Magazine already, please do--it's free! The China Sourcer Magazine is part of the new China Sourcing Information Center. If you’re sourcing from China, then you’ll want to check it out. Yea, I’m involved in it, so I’m not unbiased in my recommendation.…

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