【International Business】China, Greater China, Southeast Asia Era

Why is business experience in China or Greater China more valuable than work experience in Europe or the United States?

In the past, work experience in Europe or the United States, such as work experience in the United States or London, was considered a status symbol for global talents.

Until the last generation, the center of economy and technology was still in Europe and the United States, so working in Europe and the United States was advantageous for international careers.

However, in the 2020s, this trend has changed dramatically. Today, the center of the world’s economic, technological and consumer trends is shifting to “Greater China with China as the core.”

At the same time, Southeast Asian countries are rising. It is no exaggeration to say that experience working and doing business in these countries and regions is now more valuable than working in Europe or the United States.

The overwhelming “practical value” gained from working in China

In the process of actually operating in the Chinese market, I realized that “practical experience in China” will be a valuable business asset in future international business.

Looking at the world, China is the only place where you can directly experience these scenarios. The “business model” and “thinking speed” of these companies are driven by logic and sensibility that are completely different from those in Europe and the United States.

In addition, the Chinese market is not a single country, but a diversified collection, with each province and city having different cultures and economic zones. Each region such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and the inland requires different strategies, and competing in such an environment is like experiencing a microcosm of global business.

Economic and Trade Center

China is not only the world’s manufacturing factory, but also a huge consumer market. Many industries are inseparable from the Chinese market. (For example, automobiles, steel, electronics, chemicals, etc.)

China also plays the role of a transit station in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).

Technological Innovation Acceleration

Global companies originating from China, such as Alibaba, Tencent, Huawei, and ByteDance, are emerging in an endless stream. Their development speed and application capabilities in fields such as artificial intelligence, financial technology, the Internet of Things, and smart cities are comparable to those in Europe and the United States.

The world’s most advanced digital society (mobile payment, ultra-high-speed logistics, and artificial intelligence) enables a large user base to provide instant feedback and improvements, which is its unique advantage.

In Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila, you can learn Western business thinking

“But isn’t experience in English-speaking countries also essential?”

Some people may think so.

“Experience in English” and understanding “Western management style” are indeed necessary elements for conducting global business.

However, it is worth noting that in Greater China and Southeast Asia, there is already an environment where you can gain these experiences “without going to Europe and the United States.”

In particular, cities like Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila are “hybrid cities” that allow you to experience Western business culture in Asia, and while learning English, global management concepts and Western business culture, you can also establish business practices and relationships with China and Southeast Asian countries. More precisely, these hybrid cities are the bases for cultivating the next generation of global talents.

■ Hong Kong: A city where the Chinese-speaking world meets Anglo-American law

For many years, Hong Kong has been an economic city where Anglo-American law meets Chinese culture.

In the fields of finance, securities and asset management, Hong Kong has adopted regulations and systems that are fully in line with Europe and the United States, and is an international financial city on par with New York and London. Working here, you can not only enjoy the English environment, but also experience the true collision and integration of “Anglo-American contract culture x Chinese negotiation culture”.

〇 The intersection of Chinese and Western cultures, the center of finance, law and entrepreneurship.
〇 In terms of financial and capital markets, Singapore remains one of Asia’s leading international financial cities.
〇 You can learn the balance between Chinese-style vitality and Anglo-American-style transparency and institutional design.

■ Singapore: Asia’s International Business Center

Singapore has a multicultural background dominated by Chinese, Malays and Indians, and also has an environment where you can learn Western rational management models.

It serves as a transit station connecting Asia and the world in global management, economic policies, legal system design, etc., and is an ideal place to deepen practical knowledge. In addition, Singapore has established advanced ecosystems in the fields of finance, logistics, Web3.0 and SaaS startups, making it an attractive business base.

〇 Southeast Asian countries gather headquarters and are a hub for multinational companies.

〇 English-based, many business practices and tax systems follow Western models.

〇 “Asian transit city” where Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures meet.

■ Manila: The forefront of Western outsourcing culture

Manila (Philippines) is a world-class BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) base.

Business operations of Western companies are carried out here every day, such as call center operations, back-office processing and IT support, and employees are fluent in English and highly adapted to American culture. Here, you can learn Western business etiquette, complaint handling, presentation skills, etc., as well as Asian hospitality and work culture.

In particular, experiencing “a workplace that integrates Western culture into actual operations” can hone your practical skills better than working in Western countries.

〇 English is the official language and it is also the center of BPO (Business Outsourcing) operations.
〇 Influenced by the United States, the business culture, English proficiency and BPO system here are based on the West.
〇 Many multinational companies’ operation centers (call centers and support centers)** are located here.

In Asia, you can hone your English, Western sensibilities and local coping skills

In other words, these cities are not “alternatives to the West”, but places where you can get “Western knowledge” and “Asian sensibilities” at the same time.

In fact, more and more multinational companies are sending executive candidates from North America and Europe to these cities, and their value has been recognized by the world.

It is no longer the era of “you must go to Europe and the United States to have a global career”, but “Asia’s global cities” are the place to cultivate the next generation of leaders.

Actual Advantages

O Small time difference: International business can be handled in Asia at the same level as in Europe and the United States. (Time difference is 1-2 hours)
O Strong recruitment and price competitiveness: Talents with Western thinking gather in English-speaking countries.
O Fast business speed: Compared with Europe and the United States, the implementation and direction of policies change very quickly.

Summary

In the next decade, China, Greater China and Southeast Asia will become the focus

Going to Europe or the United States in person is no longer an “international experience”.

Going deep into the vortex of change and development in China, Greater China and Southeast Asia is a necessary quality for future business leaders.