【International Business】The Era of China, Greater China, and Southeast Asia

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

Once, work experience in Europe or the US—like stints in America or London—served as a status symbol for global talent.

As recently as the last generation, with the global economy and tech centered in the West, such experience gave a clear edge in international careers.

But the 2020s have brought a dramatic shift. Today, the world’s economic, technological, and consumer trends are pivoting to “Greater China, with China at its core.”

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian nations are rising fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that hands-on experience in these regions now outweighs that of working in Europe or the US.

The overwhelming “practical value” gained from working in China

Operating in China’s market has made clear to me: hands-on experience here will be a precious asset for future global business.

Globally, China alone offers direct exposure to these unique scenarios—where companies’ business models and pace of thinking are driven by logic and intuition far different from Europe and the U.S.

What’s more, China’s market isn’t a single entity but a diverse mosaic. Each province and city, from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to inland regions, has distinct cultures and economic landscapes, demanding tailored strategies. Competing here is like navigating 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

Chinese global giants like Alibaba, Tencent, Huawei, and ByteDance are emerging in droves. Their progress and application capabilities in AI, fintech, IoT, and smart cities rival those in Europe and the U.S.

China’s status as the world’s most advanced digital society—powered by mobile payments, ultra-fast logistics, and AI—lets its massive user base deliver instant feedback for rapid iteration, a unique edge.

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

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

Some may wonder: isn’t experience in English-speaking countries essential?

True, fluency in English and grasp of Western management styles are vital for global business.

Yet it’s worth noting that in Greater China and Southeast Asia, you can gain such experience without heading to Europe or the U.S.

Cities like Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and Manila are “hybrid hubs”—where you can immerse in Western business culture while in Asia. Here, you learn English, global management ideas, and Western business norms while building business practices and connections with China and Southeast Asia. These hubs, in short, are breeding grounds for the next generation of global talent.

◇ Hong Kong SAR: A Crossroads of Chinese-Speaking World & Common Law

For years, Hong Kong SAR has stood as an economic hub where Anglo-American legal systems intersect with Chinese culture.

In finance, securities, and asset management, its regulations and frameworks align fully with those of Europe and the U.S., placing it on par with New York and London as a global financial center. Working here means immersion in an English environment and firsthand experience of the dynamic collision and fusion of “Anglo-American contract culture” with “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, with its multicultural fabric of Chinese, Malays, and Indians, offers an environment to learn Western rational management models.

It acts as a bridge linking Asia and the world in global management, economic policies, and legal system design—an ideal place to deepen practical expertise. Moreover, its advanced ecosystems in finance, logistics, Web3.0, and SaaS startups make it a compelling business hub.

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 hub for BPO (Business Process Outsourcing).

It handles daily operations for Western companies—from call center management and back-office processing to IT support—with staff fluent in English and deeply attuned to American culture. Here, you can learn Western business etiquette, complaint resolution, and presentation skills, alongside Asian hospitality and work cultures.

Notably, working in a workplace that integrates Western culture into real operations hones practical skills even better than working in Western countries themselves.

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 aren’t “Western substitutes”—they’re places to gain both “Western knowledge” and “Asian insights” simultaneously.

In fact, more multinational firms are sending North American and European executive candidates to these cities, their value globally acknowledged.

Gone is the era when “a global career required time in Europe or the U.S.” Today, “Asia’s global cities” are where the next generation of leaders is forged.

Actual Advantages

〇 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)
〇 Strong recruitment and price competitiveness: Talents with Western thinking gather in English-speaking countries.
〇 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.