China Hands

The China Law Blog ran an article today titled: Looking Out Airplane Windows In China Is For Grizzled Old China Hands ONLY.  It’s quite a fascinating read, and not unlike many conversations I’ve had recently.  Self-proclaimed “Old China Hands” challenging the new china hands.  It’s an interesting development.  Ten of fifteen years ago, if you have been to China or know a handful of Chinese contacts, you become a China expert.  Nowadays, the number of these China experts (often China consultants) are abundant.  The word Guanxi used to be magical; now is grossly overused. 

Fifteen years ago, everything in China was a struggle.  It is thus understandable that people who “suffered” through those periods will find themselves superior to the newcomers.  Yet, does spending time physically in China directly correlate with level of expertise?  I beg to differ.  It is what you managed to achieve in China that defines ones capability.  Spending 10 years living in China might give you some insight to habits, culture and language.  Yet, it is how you spent those 10 years that matter.  An expat who spent 10 years working for Motorola in China will not know anything about starting up a magazine in Shanghai. 

China is vast and quickly developing.  The term “China Hands” needs to be retired.  As the market becomes more sophisticated, we demand more sophisticated services.  The bar for service quality has risen.  Old China hands better adapt quickly or they will become obsolete.  Very quickly. 

On a side note, I once received a series of calls from a lawyer in CA telling me they have the license from the government to export Intellectual Properties from China.  How ridiculous does this sound?  Of course, he followed with list of credentials; mainly name-dropping of Chinese companies he has guanxi with…