Which opportunities for French start-up in China?

With its million of users, the Chinese digital technology is an opportunity for the French start-up. But it is necessary to know how to manage its development in this specific market. What are the opportunities for French start-up in China?

Understand the market

Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent … These names are less known than those of their counterparts of the Silicon Valley. But the Chinese giants of digital technology handle millions of subscribers and show strong appetite for technological innovation. The billion users of mobiles and the 565 million Internet users attract the French start-up. The big deal for the Frenchy is to understand how to penetrate into this market.



Generally speaking, the Chinese companies prefer to work with very big companies, which already have a strong history. According to them, it is less risky to conclude a market with IBM rather than with a start-up. But things are changing. The Chinese companies are really push to success on the field of technology and innovation. Furthermore needs for technology of the Chinese groups are wide (Security of payments, e-commerce, data management). 


But in another hand the market is much less mature than in Europe. Is it too early to come in China? At leaset, it is better to firstly study well the market. The practices are very different. The key to success is to adapt as much as possible its model business regarding to China customs. It is vrey seldom to be able to sell in the same way than on other markets. China is also a market where it is better to be present than export. Chinese ask you to be responsive and it is better to have someone to respond or even just to meet the client every time he requires it. The European way to deal with client, mainly by email and phone call is not working in China.

French start-up are appreciate in China

However, if you develop a relevant and adapted solution, everything can go faster than somewhere else. China is a land of opportunities where knowing the right person and showing expertise and relevant business model can lead to to growing success.

Therefore, China stands out as an ideal market for the French start-up today and those should not miss the boat. Young and fresh French newcomer are quite popular in China and their companies are successful with Chinese companies which appreciate their dynamism and their expertise in a multitude of domains such as : design, modelling 3D, post-production. 
In this area, France has a playing card. French are not the most successful regarding pure technology but the French expertise is very renowned regarding creativity or design for instance. The skills of the French start-up are very sought for the 3D modelling, the post-production or the editing.

For instance, MySimax is one of these French start-up which met the success in China. Its strategy? Using the local network of its owner JX Paulin, designing high quality product to uphold the goodreputation of the French investors on this market and adatp its business to the needs of its customers.


http://mysimax.mobi/
start up in China

Chinese tourists ranked first in the world outside of the average fuel consumption

Chinese tourists ranked first in the world outside of the average fuel consumption

According to Chinese Business Morning News recently reported , the commercial service reimbursement system - Global Blue Group has released repayment tourist tax data of global trade.

The fourth quarter of 2013 , Chinese tourists abroad increased by 13.5 % discount shopping , Chinese tourists spend an average of 804 € ( with 18 the exchange rate , or about 6727 yuan) , to maintain first position in the world.
The value of the basket of delivery during the vision , statistics Blu global target of five countries - France, Italy , UK, Germany and Singapore. And compared with previous years , the fourth quarter of 2013 , these countries have experienced a slowdown in growth.

According to the analysis of staff Global Blue , the strong euro is an important factor.

And with the law of New China 's tourism has taken to prevent the grant of traveling to those of low-cost travel by forced or strongly encourage tourists to a particular destination for shopping.

Korea purchases of redemption in the third quarter compared to the same period of 2012 increased significantly by 28%. Last year, from January to August compared to the same period last year , Chinese tourists traveling to South Korea increased by 57.3% .

The staff at Global Blue said movements in exchange rates have resulted in a significant increase is mainly due to Chinese tourists.

2014 Spring Festival seven days, the Chinese luxury consumption abroad totaled $ 6.9 billion . Compared to 8.5 billion last year, a decrease of 18.8%.

" Simple tourists out the wishes of shopping is still very strong, like the fragrance , cosmetics, always . " The manager of a travel agency in the Middle East Line Xiaoyu Chen said.

World Luxury Association also showed that the Chinese New Year Chinese tourists abroad consumption of cosmetics, perfumes and clothes and jewelry make their appearance . As can be seen from the category of growth , consumption abroad , the main force are women.

A survey shows that Chinese tourists are planning to buy luxury goods abroad cheaper than domestic prices , the way to go abroad to buy themselves and their families accounted for 71% reward.

http://chinese-tourist.blogspot.com/

2014 pattern of Chinese Social Media

Reason 2014 China Social Media : presentation

Recently, CIC has published a Chinese social media world map 2014 model , the 2014 version of the diagram is divided into upper and lower parts , namely " social marketing platform based " and " community of interest of consumer segments " Ring and Ring these are external platform benchmarking international distribution platform multi - screen , platform and marketing category proposed business strategy on these platforms. CIC since 2008 , he published the first edition of "China Model Social Media Overview ," up to six years. CIC will be updated every year , in the latest developments in China include environment based social media help marketers understand and master the complex Chinese social media landscape .

1 the basic platform for social marketing

The main platform for social marketing is the user with users on a large scale and takes a lot of time social media platform that can be considered as priorities for investment in brand marketing .
We believe that the proposal of several valuable marketing platform for social marketing to shape the core of the social value chain of China s market . We want "to know -> Content / Interactive -> Services / negotiation" This simplified value chain marketing for a preliminary sorting on these platforms.
The main services to "build awareness " of the platform, including instant messaging and music video, thanks both to a wider audience. At the end of December 2013 * , instant messaging and video subscribers reached 530 million , respectively, and 430 million people, or 86.2 % of Internet users in use and 69.3% , respectively. Labels for these platforms that the media can get the scope and exposure profitable. The main services in the "content / interactive" platform includes blogging, microblogging, social networks, forums . Of course, these platforms can serve much the same purpose, " awareness " , but its main mode of transmission is through marketing generated content platforms of social media to encourage consumers and the consumer or the consumer and the brand / interaction between the businesses, and ultimately build a community of fans of the brand . The main services of "service / operation" social network platforms , including mobile , social life and e-commerce . , As a micro-channel account of utility , by its very nature , is a virtual customer service window , so that operators are faced with their consumers by providing trade and services ; another example is public comment , a good relationship with local businesses and consumers, not only for local businesses to understand the needs and the evaluation of consumers, but also for local businesses to provide a variety of promotional tools . The future , we believe that more platforms will gradually expand its value chain plays a role in this , such as music videos , marketing being interspersed primarily based advertising , but it can also be a function of transaction and direct service , such as VIP , clicks generated video content service provider of electricity. However, for now , on different platforms , or the value chain plays a role in their own good , and the brand can be synthesized based on the above characteristics of the various platforms and products for the construction industry the value chain of social marketing.

2 community interest consumer segmentation

Community of consumer segmentation of interest, including: meetings, business networking business , social networks, blogs , light , images of social networking, social video short , Wikipedia questionnaire electricity supplier socialization social platform , the new class . These equivalent vertical groups of platforms interests of consumers. You can choose according to their brand positioning of the product and the target market for the platform and the user base to develop proper strategies and projects targeted marketing .
We should emphasize that , despite the type of vertical communities of interest can be very naturally divided into a few categories of consumer groups, to provide a relatively precise marketing for merchants, however, part of the platform and its downstream supply chain partners is not yet fully mature , the market should be treated with caution.

3 panel multi- platform distribution

Mobility is a global trend , the distribution on the screen is an important feature of this year's social media landscape map of China, there will be all kinds of social media platforms : this office table + mobile terminal , the mobile terminal only . Although the " desktop + mobile terminal " is still the primary way to access the most social media platform of choice, but some of the popular platforms have started to move gradually emerging lateral access . We believe that this marketing trend has sent an important signal : move priority.

Finally, in 2014, the Chinese model of development of social media that show another movement , division , services , operations, trend data integration , which will bring more opportunities for social media marketing and social business . For example , Chen Kun members microchannels , the nature of the mobile side closed loop community - based, supplemented by mobile payments and management of CRM . This innovation can provide inspiration for " Mobile First " strategy of the brand and how to develop social services and trading platform. Meanwhile , the brand is always a micro-blogging platform can become important for the rapid dissemination of marketing and widely discussed . Many vivid case tells us that successful marketers must advance with the times , followed by social media platforms and business practices change and innovation.

http://china-market-research.blogspot.com/

Chinese Spring Festival and Stacie's Birthday

It has been a great month here in China.  I posted a blog right after Christmas providing an update on everything that happened during the holiday season.  I should say American holiday season because nobody cares about Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas here in China.  Since that time, we've been right smack in the middle of Chinese holiday season.  The Spring Festival (known in the U.S. as Chinese New Year) went for an entire month and was pretty interesting.  The first thing we noticed was that everyone left.  Well...not everyone, but we noticed many fewer people on the sidewalks near our house, which was wonderful.  We didn't have to elbow our way through crowds of people to get where we wanted to go, so we went for many leisurely walks along the streets of Changsha near Hunan Normal University (which was especially empty with all the students gone).  Unfortunately, all the business owners left too, so practically nothing was open.  The big supermarkets were open most of the time, so we did not starve, but we did have to cook all our meals.  Because school was out and I was incredibly burned out from a busy fall semester, we tried to take advantage of the down time and rested quite a bit.  But, we also had the opportunity to do some fun things during the break.

One memorable activity was attending the Changsha city fireworks.  I have written about the fireworks before since they light them off from Orange Island (which divides the city) every Saturday during the warm months.  We have enjoyed this before since we live right by the river and can walk to the fireworks in less than 5 minutes.  But, this time was absolutely spectacular.  The city really put on quite a show for the Chinese New Year.  Wow were we impressed!  It's so interesting how the Chinese can design fireworks that look so much different from the ones we are used to in the U.S. They often explode into various shapes and designs and we find ourselves sort of mesmerized while we watch to see what might come next.  The ones in the U.S. sometimes look the same and I get bored after a while.  We also finally had a chance to buy some of the Chinese lanterns from a vendor on the street.  He sold them for 5 yuan each.  I bought one for everyone in the family.  The lanterns have some kind of wax square that you mount to the bottom of the lantern.  Then, you have to work pretty hard to get the wax to ignite (holding the lighter to it for a minute or two).  Once it's lit, you have to wait for the lantern to fill with hot air before gently pushing it skyward.  A couple of times, I didn't wait long enough for the air to fill the lantern and I pushed it up only to have to descend into a row of bushes and nearly ignite them.  A really kind Chinese man helped me rescue the bushes from burning by continually jumping into the them and grabbing the lantern.  He kept saying "bu dui" (not correct) and smiled.  The children really enjoyed watching the glowing lanterns get higher and higher and smaller and smaller.  I think it helped that they had seen these lanterns in Disney movies like Mulan and Tangled. Although we very much enjoyed the fireworks, we generally did not appreciate the constant barrage of firecrackers that were being lit off almost every day and during all hours of the night.  Seriously, people were lighting off firecrackers right outside our apartment all night long.  Plus, it's not just the sound of the firecrackers going off, it's also the car alarms that are triggered from the firecrackers.  It was really hard to sleep for many of days in early February.  But, we admired the enthusiasm that the Chinese exhibited during the New Year (the year of the horse apparently). 

We also had a chance to go to Orange Island for a picnic.  The children have always wanted to walk across the bridge to Orange Island since we pretty much see it every day across the river and have taken the bus over the river many times.  Even though it was during the colder months of the year, it was still quite beautiful.  We packed some sandwiches, laid out a blanket, and played some badminton with the children.  We also walked around parts of the island to see the fireworks square (where they light all the fireworks off), some ponds with big orange fish in them, and beautiful trees with flowers.  The only bad part of the trip was that we are always celebrities when we take the whole family out.  We don't get as much attention when we go out in smaller groups or if we stick close to campus where people are getting used to seeing us.  But, any time we go somewhere with the entire family and it's an area where people are not used to seeing us, we get an unbelievable amount of attention.  Some of it is very friendly as people will ask us questions or smile at us.  Other times, they will look at us with completely expressionless faces, with their mouths slightly agape.  It's a little uncomfortable, especially if they walk right up to us (within a few feet) and just stand there and look at us.  A couple of times, I would say "ni hao" (hello) just to break the awkward silence.  Many times, they will just say nothing in response to my greeting.  I'm not sure how it's my fault that the situation is awkward.  I'm trying to be friendly.  I joke with the children sometimes when I tell them the scene reminds me of a line from the fairly stupid movie Madagascar.  In it, these penguin characters say "Smile and wave, boys...smile and wave."  That's how we feel here sometimes with our limited language skills or a lack of responsiveness from some of the Chinese people.  All we can do is smile and wave.  But, we always try to be friendly with others regardless of how much of that friendliness is reciprocated.  And, I must say it is often reciprocated in the most wonderful ways.  It's just those few awkward moments we have to laugh about sometimes.

Another special experience we had during the break was the chance to help the Parrenos in Xiangtan.  Jackie was expecting their third baby in January and needed Stacie and Annie to come down to help with the children when they needed to go to the hospital and when they returned home after the delivery.  Two days past Jackie's due date, Stacie and Annie headed down to Xiangtan thinking the baby would be coming very soon.  It ended up being kind of a nice break for them as they waited for a whole week with no sign of the baby.  They didn't want to return home because they were worried the baby would come right after they left.  So, they just waited.  Meanwhile, I was home with the younger four children cooking, doing laundry, and keeping everyone entertained.  I consider myself a pretty capable dad, but everything is more complicated in China and the laundry situation is a little tricky without a real dryer.  After that first week away from Stacie, I was very confident I had figured it out and had mastered the art of parenthood (joking by the way).  I told Stacie I was doing fine, but she didn't believe me and told me to bring the kids to Xiangtan.  So, we went down and were there for another week helping the Parrenos with their new baby.  It was such a neat experience staying in their house with them as they awaited their new arrival, being able to show them our friendship, and seeing them show their other small children their new little brother for the very first time.  I think they were worried they were inconveniencing us by having us there for so long, but we were so happy to do it. 

Anyway, school has started up again (2 weeks now).  They cut my class load from 7 classes and 320 students to 3 classes and 120 students.  Much improved!  Plus, I've pretty much decided to do whatever the heck I want in my classes.  I don't think the university really cares.  They seem to just want a foreigner to go in there every day and speak English to them.  So, I'm going to teach them some stuff they'll never learn over here, like public speaking, critical thinking, debate, intercultural communication, and listening skills. Should be much more fun for me and hopefully for them too.  I noticed when I did pronunciation drills with them last semester that they had this "We have been doing this since kindergarten" attitude.  So, maybe I should let them more "naturally" pick up on the right pronunciation as I teach them other things.  Who knows.  I'm also excited to have more of a chance to continue my own research projects.  I've been working on two projects simultaneously right now, preparing to submit them to an upcoming academic conference. It feels good to be a communication scholar again.  I really feel more like my previous self professionally than I did last semester when I was just buried with things to do.  Apart from teaching and research, we are also getting the American Studies Center underway for this semester.  We had our grand opening in January and then closed the office for the holiday.  My new student assistant, Karisa (a delightful person who speaks Chinese from serving an LDS mission in Taiwan), just arrived and will be helping me get activities planned for this semester.  We will also have more regular office hours in the ASC, with English tutoring and walk in visits for people wanting to learn more about American culture.

Things continue to be interesting around here.  Every day is something new and exciting.  Nicolas, Ezra and I witnessed a fight at the local supermarket between two of the employees.  One employee screamed at the top of his lungs at another female employee as he swung a mop handle at her head.  Then, he tried to stomp on her foot and when that didn't work, he spat on her shoes.  Same store where the incident occurred with the "nut" lady if you recall that story.  There was also another incident where we were walking toward this man on the street.  I was holding Evelynn's hand and I saw him walking toward us.  As he walked by, he unscrewed the cap on his thermos and threw the water on Evelynn's leg.  It was clearly intentional.  I yelled "hey" really loudly, but he just kept walking by.  Someone needs to teach me some Chinese profanity and soon!  I don't know a single word to be honest.  Anyway, there is a mix of good and bad experiences here, but most are very pleasant.  

The next big things happening for the Stein family (to be reported in the next blog) is that my brother Garrett and his wife Bethany will be coming in two and half weeks to visit us in China.  They will be staying with us a few days in Changsha and we will also be going up to Beijing, where we will visit the Forbidden City, the emperor's Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the famous Wufangjing Snack Street, where you can buy and eat scorpions, cicadas, starfish, seahorses, and a variety of other delicacies.  Also, Nicolas and Ezra have been invited to join a 14 week Kung Fu class starting this Saturday.  Of course they couldn't be more excited. 

When we went to Martyr's Park (while Stacie and Annie were in Xiangtan), I paid this guy 50 yuan to draw a portrait of me.  The sign said it would take 15 minutes, but it took him one hour.  I think he had trouble drawing a foreign face and his big bizi (nose).  We eventually drew a crowd of over a hundred people (I had Nicolas count) who wanted to watch the giant foreigner.  After he was finished with his drawing, I said "Wo yao toufa" (I want hair).  The artist laughed and took off his hat to reveal he had the same haircut I did.

Our favorite restaurant Liu Jie's.  The back room has a window looking into the kitchen.

When Stacie and Annie were in Xiangtan, I was trying to find things to feed the children.  I had this bag of frozen tuna, but how on earth do you defrost this?  I tried this method, which worked surprisingly well.  Stacie told me later that I could just run water over it for a few minutes. Duh!!

More pictures from when Stacie and Annie abandoned me in Xiangtan.  The girls wanted me to try to braid their hair since that's what Stacie and Annie always do for them.  They absolutely LOVE having cute hair.  This was the best I could do unfortunately.

And Lucy was NOT ok with the result!

Stacie insisted I bring the children down to Xiangtan since she had already been gone a week, but I really did not want to face the bus station during the crowded holiday time.  See what I mean?

The Parreno's new baby, Victor.

We tried a new fruit.  Starfruit.  Looks interesting, tastes not so great.

The wonderful street we live on during the Spring Festival.  Where did everyone go?

Family walk around Taozi lake near our house.  We come here often since it's so close by.

We are trying to figure out how to light this Chinese lantern and fill it with the hot air.

Same Ezra he always was.  Loves to be outside and collect bugs and other creatures.  Here, he found a frog.

Chinese New Year fireworks.

We wanted to ride the Changsha ferris wheel, but it was closed during the holiday.  Bummer!  Apparently, it's tied for 5th tallest in the world.

At the local Saibaiwei.  Tasted just about as good as back home.  Hard to find sandwiches in China in general.  Even had that distinct Subway smell inside.

Our picnic at Orange Island. 

Good looking kids.  Keep in mind that like 5 other people are taking pictures of my children at the same time I am.

Year of the Horse.

The little girls having fun in the apartment. 

Stacie on our 16th anniversary (February 7th).  We went out for Ch...Japanese food.  Yum!

Still freezing here all the time.  Everyone is ready to go outside.

Can you believe how nice this Pizza Hut is?  In China, it's like fine dining.

The blog probably makes it seem like we eat fast food all the time.  Maybe like once a month is all, but it's always fun when we do.

I baked Stacie a chocolate cake from scratch for her birthday.  It turned out really  great.  In fact, she said it was too chocolatey.  First time I have ever heard her say that since we've been married.  Also, see that sweatshirt she's wearing.  I went back and bought the funny sweatshirt from a previous blog.  It says "New York Massachunats" on it.  Yes, spelling is a problem here in China.  We got such a kick out of it, I decided she had to have it!

Ok, my Chinese is bad so I'm not sure what those first two characters say, but the last two I do know.  They are the characters for "dog" and "meat."  What kind of restaurant is this?

This is more what I'm used to eating.  These chickens are always here just roaming around whenever we walk up this street.  Apparently, when they first get a new chicken, they tie it's legs so it can't leave the vicinity.  After the chicken is used to his/her surrounding, they take the string off and the chicken knows to stay home.

Second video of people staring at us in China as they drive by.  

I love this video!  This guy has a big wooden top and he whips it to spin it.  I SO want to get one of these before I come home.  The video doesn't do it justice, but it makes this really loud cracking noise when he whips it.

The Lhasa Train

I was reading in ITN magazine a report from a couple who were disappointed in their train trip from Beijing to Lhasa.  It wasn't what they had expected thinking it was a super modern train perhaps like the new Fast Trains in China.  Pictured here is the Lhasa train which is not unlike most trains in China other than the new Fast Trains.  The cars are equipped with oxygen somewhat like an airplane.  They even have extra oxygen tubes in each car.  Otherwise they are like  most of the trains in China.
The photo here is the First Class compartments that have two upper and two lower berths.  During the day the  people in the upper berths can sit with the people on the lower berths.  Sheets and blankets are provided.  There is plenty of room to store luggage.  The trains of course travel at night as well as during the day so the scenery is only during the day part of the trip.  I myself have ridden from Lhasa/near Xian down to Chengdu and finally Chongqing.   I took the train so as a Tour Operator I could give first hand information on it.  I too was a bit disappointed expecting much more.  You MUST book first class as second class is  quite crowded and they allow smoking in those cars.  The dining room is fair but the food is train food and I suggest taking food with you.  Tea is available and there are sellers with carts selling snacks and drinks also during the trip.  For more information on the Lhasa train, contact me at   interlak@eskimo.com   My friends call me ChinaDave.
      Click on the photos for a full screen view.  

Breakfasts in China

As a tour operator I can never quite explain to clients how much food there is in China, especially breakfasts.  Breakfasts are always in the hotels as most have Western and Asian food to select from.  You see here in this photo a typical buffet breakfast in a 4 or 5 star hotel.  3 star hotels it may be a bit less but still large by our standards.  Click on the photo for a full screen view!  Eggs are cooked in front of you the way you request.  You will never go hungry in China.  Breakfasts are usually included in the cost of the hotel room but not always.  For group or private tours arranged by a tour operator such as myself, the breakfasts are always included.  If you book your hotel on line, be sure to check to see if the breakfasts are included or extra.  Breakfasts can range from $10 to $25 per person depending on the hotel level.  There is an automatic 15% service charge also on your hotel bill that may or may not be included in your price quote on line.    Breakfasts in restaurants are usually not served except if you can find a McDonalds.  Chinese people in their homes eat a very basic breakfast and young people often eat on the run from street peddlers.  So a good western breakfast is nice to start the day off.  On tours, lunch is the main meal of the day so they are usually much larger than we are use to.  Dinners are large as well.  I often go out and have a bowl of noodles with chicken and some dumplings for dinner rather than another large meal.  Food is hospitality in China and the Chinese would have a great loss of face if they only took you out for a smaller meal.  Please feel free to contact me with questions on travel in China with no obligation.   My 25 years experience in travel in China has left me with a great deal of information that I enjoy sharing.  interlak@eskimo.com
My friends call me "ChinaDave"

Online games : a booming market in China !

Online games : a booming market in China !

 The online gaming industry is booming in China. In fact, revenues have quadrupled since 2008. But this sector is more complex than you might think. In recent weeks, the law banning was canceled. In terms of income , MMORPG and FPS on PC games (like Crossfire and Blade & Soul ) dominate . At the moment, the mobile game is in second place but this may change due to the increasing number of smart phones . Users become more comfortable with shopping online application. This may seem surprising to those who see mobile as the future of gaming , especially in Asia, because it is proven that the vast majority of Chinese players who spend money are always on PC. Moreover , if you consider games via web browser as PC games (since they are often unplayable on mobile devices ) , it is possible to say that PC games have generated this year over 80 % of revenues of the Chinese gaming industry. A future rebound ? Chinese exports of video games jumped 76% to $ 403 million in 2011, revealed the report, adding that more than 150 games developed in China were sold abroad last year. Indeed, two Chinese ministries responsible for the supervision and approval of online games will revise their criteria in terms of approval of the games release in China. The head of the Ministry of Culture and Commerce on the Internet, Mr. Li Jianwei said the change affects how online gaming in China are approved. This will enable and streamline the approval process while making more conscious and responsible companies of the content they submit for approval . Each country has its own policy and the consequences are not always the same. Mobile games and online music services will be the first expected to benefit from the new regulation groups.



China is therefore in the process of opening its market games online self-regulation. If everything works as planned, it could mean more imported online games from Western and Chinese export games to the world . Some important figures Go Globe offers a new infographic which is the analysis of the facts and major figures in the field of the Chinese online game industry today . - Operators of online gaming in China are 82.1 billion RMB ( 13.5 billion ) in 2013. - This figure is expected to increase to $ 16.1 billion at the end of 2014 . - Tencent, the same company that WeChat is the gaming giant in China - Action RPG is the most favored , led by PC gamers . Furthermore , most of these are related to back -up of Chinese developers. Online games have a penetration rate of 59.5 % ( total of Internet users ) and 33 % ( total of internet users on mobile ) .

sources :
https://fr.locita.com/digital/en-chine-le-jeu-en-ligne-pese-135-milliards-de-dollars-125012/
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/07/us-china-gamesconsoles-idUSBREA0606C20140107

Exchanging Money in China

I have written on the subject of money in the past and I go back and update all my blog entries often.  Chinese money is called  Yuan.  As of Dec. 2014 the exchange rate is 6.13 yuan = $1.00 U.S.  I will try to update this often but the rate has been steady around 6.10 this past year.  Pictured here is the Yuan in different denominations.   The largest bill is 100 yuan or roughly $16.00.  There are cash machines located in many larger cities; but you can also exchange cash in your hotels with a small charge.  It is a service to guests.  You can also exchange money at some banks but not all especially in the countryside or remote areas.  So be sure to change money before going to those areas.  Cash is King in China and credit cards are generally not accepted except in large department stores, hotels and some limited restaurants.  Debit cards are limited as well.   You will see people making large purchases with cash.  One couple I know purchased their apartment and paid cash for it.  It took three people with large bags to carry it to the previous owner.  I have also seen people making luxury purchases in department stores also paying large amounts in cash.  If you are on an organized tour you will find that you will not need to carry much cash with you unless you want to make a large purchase.  Exchanging enough to use for about 3 days is sufficient unless you are going to spend some time in the more remote areas.   For more information or questions on Money in China please feel free to contact me at  interlak@eskimo.com   They call me ChinaDave.   Doing Quality tours to China and Tibet for 25 Years!

1.5 million Chinese tourists visit France each year,

1.5 million Chinese tourists visit France each year, the large open wallet. According to FT Confidential, their spending would indeed 5.400 euros per stay per person, half devoted to shopping. One might think that marks out the red carpet.

Not so, according to experts the body monitoring and study of the bank based in Shanghai. we noted that with few exceptions the majors ignore payment tools and sharing on social networks massively used by the Chinese, including when they travel.

Example UnionPay card (Visa equivalent) that very few stores accept and which there are very few distributors in Paris (unless JCB distributors Japanese map). Another gap here not taken into account, the Chinese instant messaging as WeChat (630 million users). WeChat (of which there are now a French version) facilitates interaction with brands.

"This could be achieved by putting QR Code on all the windows," says E.Baraud, which states that 20% of purchases of luxury goods of Chinese are in favor of their travels in France. Logic, they are much cheaper here than in China, where they are overtaxed. "Things could change" Price transparency that will surely be consequences. "Until now, luxury brands have increased their aligning with Chinese pricing. A trend facilitated by the propensity of the Chinese to consider so far as the more expensive it is more luxurious! But the fact they travel could change things, "says the specialist yet. His advice: invest in Chinese digital tools, starting with Alpay, local PayPal. "The Chinese are nationalistic and appreciate to see them recognized. "I must say that from afar, since all major brands still do not take the trouble to translate their website in Chinese!

source : http://pur-delire.blogspot.com/2014/02/wechat-le-reseau-social-chinois-se-paye.html

Booking Hotels in China On Line

Booking hotels on line can seem like a money saving way to book your own tour in China.  Be sure to read the fine print for each hotel.  As a tour operator for 25 years in China I think I have seen it all.  One customer said he could book a hotel in Xian which is listed as a 5 star hotel.   He said he could book a room for $89.  I know the hotel well and have been a consultant to them.  So I checked out his price with the hotel.  He indeed could book the room for $89........plus a 15% service charge, city tax, and no breakfast included.  Room was in an old section bottom floor with no window to the outside but facing inside a dark courtyard used for storage.  Breakfasts in China are usually included in most hotels in the cost IF they list it as included.  If it does not list it as included,  then it is in addition.  Hotels have such rooms so they can list a low price and attract business.  One does not go to a restaurant for breakfast unless it is McDonalds.  Western breakfasts are only served in Hotels and then they are large buffets with mixed Asian and Western food of many kinds.  Cost ranges from $12 to $25 per person depending on the hotel.  Add it up.  That poor room costs $151 plus tax for two people including breakfast and service charges.  Be careful of hotels that give rave reviews by customers as many are often written by friends or staff members of hotels.   Booking through a Tour Operator or 'Travel Agency that KNOWS China well, can often be less expensive since we have contracts with our partners in China with quality hotels that are well located and suitable for Western people.    You get what you pay for in China.   Make sure your tour is a pleasant experience rather than a  disappointing one. Visit my web site at:  www.interlakechinatours.com 
In Seattle, Washington in our 25th year of doing Quality tours to China and Tibet.

          It is too late once you are there and you have to stick it out. 

China started to stop underground prostitution

China started to stop underground prostitution 

The authorities of Guangdong Province are set to launch a crackdown three months on the sex industry in the province after the media recently discovered rampant prostitution in massage parlors and hotels in Dongguan. Li Chunsheng , Vice Governor of Guangdong and director of the Department of Public Security of Guangdong , said in a televised news conference Monday that all entertainment venues involved in the organization of sexual services will be targeted.
Guangdong started snapping industry underground prostitution

Police remove suspected prostitution at a hotel in Dongguan, Guangdong province, on Sunday . More than 6,000 police were on duty to suppress prostitution in entertainment venues , including massage parlors and sauna houses . Fang Guangming / for China Daily "Local police are protecting the sex industry or arrange sexual services will be severely punished ," said Li .
The crackdown came after China Central Television reported Sunday morning that the sex industry is flourishing in Dongguan, an entertainment center in the region of Pearl River Delta. CCTV report said there was prostitution in five cantons Dongguan. He showed secretly filmed images of scantily clad women parade on stage in places and venue managers openly introducing customers to their prostitution services . Dongguan, which has become a major center of manufacturing and commerce of the world , is also famous for its sumptuous metro stations centers casino bath , massage parlors and illegal brothels. The sex industry is supposedly so lucrative that the city is known as " the capital of sex " in China . The media estimate that at least 300,000 people work in the sex industry in Dongguan. China Daily could not confirm that figure .
The announcement of a crackdown provincially comes a day after the Department of Public Safety and the Guangdong authorities have launched a joint investigation into prostitution in Dongguan on Sunday . On Monday morning , 12 entertainment venues involved in prostitution and other sexual services were closed and 162 people studied , authorities said. The campaign targeted 1,948 entertainment venues across the city in the prefecture. Eight policemen, including a director of the office of public safety and a director of the township police station , were suspended and are under investigation , according to the Bureau of Public Security Dongguan.
Police stations in five cantons are being investigated for dereliction of duty or not to respond to reports of informants in prostitution in places of illegal entertainment.
The crackdown has prompted mixed reactions ranging from sympathy for sex workers to aid the police in a country where prostitution was banned for six decades. Under the law of China on sanctions for the administration of public security, prostitutes and their clients are subject to detention and fines . The organizers of sexual services are reviewed by the authorities. Hu Chunhua , Party chief of Guangdong, has also stressed the need Sunday to investigate the sex trade in Dongguan and throughout the province. The Yuanfeng Hotel in Zhongtang Township , outlined in the report of CCTV to accommodate prostitution suspended business on Monday , with only a security guard stroll. Huang Wenhong , sales manager at a gas station next to the hotel , said that "many people have visited the hotel in the evening during the last two weeks of the Spring Festival . " A manager of a foot massage center nearby, who declined to be named, said the repression of prostitution would lead to huge losses to the entertainment industry in Dongguan.

 Photo @source

"Our company has also been greatly affected since Sunday. We had to suspend business because there are fewer customers today, " said the director.
"We are concerned by hiring new workers in the near future. Girls will be afraid to come to Dongguan. " Punishment will cost a lot of women, with a number of others related to the entertainment industry , their jobs, he said .
" I intend to find another job in the city. If worse comes to worst , I'll let Dongguan, " he said. Lu Weiqi , deputy director of the Office of Dongguan Public Security , said the local government is planning to introduce tougher measures to deal with prostitution. "We will ensure a safe and fair for those places that are not engaged in prostitution environment"

Funny video made in Canada

Funny video made in Canada !

Chinese Tourists are not able to travel in the Space now , discover why in this article

Chinese are not able to travel in the Space now , discover why in this article

U.S. Virgin Galactic space tourists from the China could " Spies power" and that the tickets for his spaceship SpaceShipTwo would they can not sell. An announcement of the Company , which also recognized that among wealthy Chinese, many would like to take a trip into space against $ 260,000 .

Spy ?

The company suspected passengers from China, spying on behalf of their country , steal technologies and use them in their interest. The risk of data leakage from the ship SpaceShipTwo in China is high? The head of the Centre for Social Policy Studies Vladimir Evseev points in this connection :

"The person with special training can obtain additional information indeed. It can download a stand or to access business information . Thus, these fears are not without reason, as the space tourist are not isolated, and I do not think there will always be someone in to be near him . this means it can indirect information , which then in espionage , is going to get used . I do not exclude attempts of this kind. "

But the focus on the Virgin Galactic space tourists from China are largely explained by stereotypes of the 1980s and 1990s. Vladimir Evseev is that "China is viewed worldwide as a state practice of industrial espionage . From this perspective, the concerns of businesses about their secrets of course. Such an image will continue to create problems for China. Finally, to increase their number. But one thing confuses me . , China has so much space that it no longer needs external information . that's because China already put people in space, space station and has its moon program . It is self-sufficient in this area. she did not need someone who is a do tour in space on board a foreign ship , if necessary, they can arrange for their tourist space travel. " source

The spacecraft SpaceShipTwo has developed engines and other technologies in the United States. Fuels and technologies can be used by the Pentagon . Under U.S. law, access to such devices , the citizens of China is prohibited. The ban was introduced into the Cold War. Today also applies to the citizens of Iran and North Korea. Vladimir Evseev think the ban will not be lifted, at least in the near future :

" Everyone understands that China is developing its own anti-satellite against U.S. systems country and stationed in space: . . , It can use different versions Among other things, through the creation of micro- satellites capable of surrounding a large U.S. satellite and use it to sort out . In any case, additional information about the space programs of the United States, especially military , to facilitate China's ability , such satellite block necessary. also, U.S. law that not only China , it must be cured. "

cooperation with China

The question is how the United States' cooperation with China has organized in space. Initiatives of this kind are regularly announced by the U.S. side in the past two years . But it seems that Americans are not sincere in reaching out to the Chinese. Virtual scandal involving Chinese tourists is just one example . The current scandal took place last fall. NASA refused all Chinese scientists their request to participate in the international conference Kepler. The refusal was motivated by reasons of national security . However, this scientific conference focused on exoplanets. These are removed with trillions of miles from Earth and have nothing to do with military intelligence and national security of the United States!

France will issue VISA for Chinese tourists within 48h

France will issue VISA for Chinese tourists within 48h

This is a real charm offensive. There are two weeks Laurent Fabius has unveiled measure Allowing individual Chinese travellers and businessmen , to be Issued Within 48 hours visas . Until now , the Citizens of the People 's Republic Would wait ten days or more falling on the tourist season . The Minister of Foreign Affairs and saw " rapid fulfillment and benevolent Formalities Necessary for Their stay in France . "
Certainly , in 2014 commemorates fifty years of diplomatic relationship Between the two countries. Purpose Mainly this is hospitality displayed by the Economic Challenge Posed by Chinese tourists . For now , They are worth millions of euros in annual revenue to the State 500. Purpose According To the Ministry of Foreign Trade , the only new measure Could this boost Figure Doubled Effective three years . Nothing too optimistic When You Know That in 2012 , China Went first in terms of tourist abroad Spending $ 102 billion totawing ACCORDING to the World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO) .
Without exception, the figures show an incredible dynamic . From 2000 to 2012 , the number of Chinese travelers abroad HAS Increased from 10 million to 83 million , According To UNWTO . And all the LEDs Indicate That Will the trend continue . If one factotum believes the figures published by the official Chinese press, the 100 million Chinese tourists in the world shoulds be exceeded in 2014 They Were 97 million in 2013 - an Increase of 14 million Compared to 2012 .
Several indicators Were ble to Convince the French government to take a step Towards Chinese tourists . Last October , the China National Tourism Administration icts Amended legislation to better Regulate the excesses of the prices charged by operators Could All which weigh on the number of movements of His globetrotters : according to Qianjiang Evening Post , prices intercontinental travel HAD Increased by 80 % in September , simply by anticipation . According To the Ministry of Tourism, about 83 million foreign tourists visited the Hexagon Have you , only 1.4 million cam from the Middle Kingdom .

Paris VS London 

While Paris and London Fought Earlier this year INSTEAD of "the most touristic city in the world , " a recent study by Travelzoo May -have put a flea in the ear in high places. Despite The historical Conflict between the two countries revived These Days around the Senkaku Islands, the preferred destination for Chinese is ... Japan . It is above all the weak yen Would attra onlookers looking for window shopping. Another decisive factor is the easing of visa restrictions put in place Effective the 2012 earthquake ... For the first time in the classification , established by the website offers travel, France , this year along Was No share of the top 10 This is a real charm offensive . There are two weeks Laurent Fabius unveiled a measure allowing individual Chinese visitors, tourists and businessmen, to be issued visas within 48 hours. Until now , the citizens of the People's Republic would wait ten days or more during the tourist season . The Minister of Foreign Affairs and saw " rapid fulfillment and benevolent formalities necessary for their stay in France ."

2014 big changes 

Certainly, in 2014 commemorates fifty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries . But this is mainly hospitality displayed by the economic challenge posed by Chinese tourists. For now , they are worth millions of euros in annual revenue to the State 500 . But according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade , the only new measure could boost this figure doubled after three years. Nothing too optimistic when you know that in 2012, China went first in terms of tourist spending abroad, totaling $ 102 billion according to the World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO) .
Without exception, the figures show an incredible dynamic . From 2000 to 2012, the number of Chinese travelers abroad has increased from 10 million to 83 million , according to UNWTO. And all the LEDs indicate that the trend will continue. If one believes the figures published by the official Chinese press, the 100 million Chinese tourists in the world should be exceeded in 2014 , they were 97 million in 2013 - an increase of 14 million compared to 2012.
Several indicators were able to convince the French government to take a step towards Chinese tourists. Last October, the China National Tourism Administration amended its legislation to better regulate the excesses of the prices charged by operators , which could weigh on the number of movements of his globe- trotters : according to Qianjiang Evening Post , prices intercontinental travel had increased by 80% in September , simply by anticipation . According to the Ministry of Tourism, about 83 million foreign tourists who visited the Hexagon , only 1.4 million came from the Middle Kingdom .sources JDN
While Paris and London fought earlier this year instead of " the most touristic city in the world ," a recent study by Travelzoo may have put a flea in the ear in high places. Despite the historical conflict between the two countries revived these days around the Senkaku Islands, the preferred destination for Chinese is ... Japan. It is above all the weak yen would attract onlookers looking for window shopping. Another decisive factor is the easing of visa restrictions put in place after the 2012 earthquake ... For the first time in the classification established by the site offers travel, France , this year was no longer part of the top 10 !

Thank you to Pauline

The french Star Sophie Marceau at CCTV Show!

The french Star Sophie Marceau at CCTV Show! 

The French star was greeted with much love and affection in China. For over 30 years , the actress has become indispensable . Rich in fame, she pushed the song to celebrate the Chinese New Year!
That night before and more than 750 million viewers , Sophie Marceau has succeeded in establishing itself as a full-fledged singer . More renowned as an outstanding actress , she remains a talented singer. It is offering a very personal interpretation Edith Piaf "La vie en rose" as Frenchy wowed spectators ( and viewers ) Chinese. "I wish you all a Happy Year of the Horse " has she communicated in Mandarin. Well done! Increasingly anxious to follow China 's own cultural codes , she unsheathed a gorgeous red dress , color of the Chinese flag . Really, Sophie Marceau put the dishes in the large . And the French star is particularly drawn to this country about which she raved : " We are dealing with a great nation with people who have a great history behind them and who will not be intimidated or say anything be done and how "she had previously communicated .
Duet with the star Liu Han , the actress had told AFP that " La vie en rose ": " This is the romance is completely France We are , we French , inexhaustible on the subject. . for some , it is crazy and for others it is super romantic . "

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