| Abstract: | This article is the first of two parts of a comprehensive analysis regarding the key issues involved in doing business in China. By examining the complex business environment, it aims at helping foreign businessmen and investors to master the key background knowledge for being successful in the Central Kingdom ("know‐what"). A key theme is China’s immense diversity, variety, and complexity, as well as enormous competitive intensity, which are unrivaled by any other market in the world. Foreign businessmen often underestimate these aspects. The article reviews China’s historical development, political structure and climate, international relations, economy, and foreign trade. China’s infrastructure and energy structure, legal framework, competitive environment, as well as market structure and potential also are analyzed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
