China Travel Manual - ASQasq.org › cs › conferences › china › Travel_Manual_Shanghai.pdf · China Travel Manual China-America Quality Conference Tom Scroggin, Co-Chair

THIRD CHINA-AMERICA CONFERENCE ON QUALITY Shanghai, September 6-9, 2004

China Travel Manual

T O M S C R O G G I N , D E N N I S A R T E R , A N D B O N N I E B R A G A

China Travel Manual

China-America Quality Conference

Tom Scroggin, Co-Chair Moorpark, CA [email protected] PH/FX 805 523-8281

Dennis Arter, Co-Chair Kennewick, WA [email protected] toll-free 877 597-9498

Bonnie Braga, Meeting Planner Miami, FL [email protected] 888 828-8747 (toll-free)

Table of ContentsGETTING THERE AND BACK...............1

PASSPORTS AND VISAS.................................1 CHINESE VISA ................................................2

Travel Insurance .................................3 U.S. Customs.........................................3

AIR TRAVEL AND UPGRADES .......................3 Luggage Allowance ...........................3 Departing from the USA..................4 On-board Comfort ..............................4 Airport Taxes.........................................5 Upgrades .................................................5 During the Flight ................................5

ARRIVAL IN SHANGHAI................................6 To the hotel.............................................6 Amenities .................................................7 Time to rest.............................................7 Breakfast..................................................7

SUNDAY ORIENTATION MEETING................7 CLOTHING AND DRESS ..................................8 MEDICATIONS AND HEALTH ........................8 CURRENCY .....................................................9

ATM Access ...........................................9 Traveler’s Checks............................ 10 Credit Cards ....................................... 10

PHONES, FAXES, AND INTERNET ...............10 E-mail and fax ................................... 10 Electricity............................................. 11 Time ........................................................ 11

CAMERAS AND PICTURE -TAKING..............11 RETURNING TO THE USA ...........................12

Immigration ........................................ 12 U.S. Customs...................................... 12 Duty Taxes........................................... 13

THE TECHNICAL SESSIO NS .............. 14 CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP TEAM..............14 ITINERARY....................................................15 PAYMENT......................................................15 ITEMS YOU RECEIVE IN SHANGHAI ...........16 CONFERENCE SESSIONS AND TRANSLATION.......................................................................16 BUSINESS CARDS .........................................17 GIFTS.............................................................17

COUNTRY INFORMATION ................. 19

CHINESE LANGUAGE ...................................19 FOOD AND DRINK........................................20

Chopsticks............................................ 20 Banquets ............................................... 20 Other meals......................................... 21

ETIQUETTE ...................................................21 Communication................................. 21 Face ........................................................ 22 Tipping .................................................. 22

GETTING AROUND SHANGHAI ...................22 GENERAL INFORMATION ON SHOPPING....23

Shopping Experiences ................... 23 Beggars ................................................. 24 Antiques ................................................ 24 Bargains ............................................... 24 Bargaining........................................... 25 Sales Tax .............................................. 25 Disputes ................................................ 25 Shipping large purchases ............ 26

SHANGHAI SHOPPING GUIDE......................26 ABOUT SHANGHAI......................................27 RECOMMENDED READING..........................27 RECOMMENDED WEB SITES........................27

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER.......................................................................... 29

MARCH .........................................................29 MAY ..............................................................29 JUNE ..............................................................29 JULY ..............................................................29 AUGUST ........................................................29 SEPTEMBER..................................................29

T R A V E L I N F O R M A T I O N

1

Getting there and back Many of you have never traveled outside of your country. It’s not as scary as it seems, if you know what to expect.

Passports and Visas ll countries require you to present a passport for entry. It states who you are and where you come from. It also allows the officials to search their databases for bad people. If you haven’t done so already, you must apply for a passport right now. The closer we get to the traditional travel season, the

longer this process takes. Eight weeks is not uncommon.

U.S. Citizens in need of passports should contact the State Department <www.travel.state.gov/> or a private agency, such as Passport Express <www.passportexpress.com>. You will need a standard passport color photo for the passport and the visa (below). Check around for a local store to take these pictures, as you cannot use a regular snapshot. Passport photos are quite inexpensive. A good travel resource can also be found at www.Travel-Connection.info. This site provides links to embassies, State Department and other useful information.

Many countries require a VISA for entry. The People’s Republic of China is one of those countries. After you obtain your own passport, we will process your visa. You are responsible to pay the visa fee. After we receive your registration deposit, we will mail the forms and instructions to you. Meanwhile, you should get passport-size photos from your local Wal-Mart, Post Net, etc. You will need one photo for your visa application.

Be careful with your passport–it is a legal document recognized internationally as personal identification and is difficult to replace on short notice in another country. In some parts of the world (not China though), passports have high theft potential.

§ Carry your passport with you on the airplane, not packed in your luggage. The ticket counter agent will ask to see it and immigration will want to see it when you arrive in China.

Chapter

1

A


2

§ Make a copy of your passport photo page (with the picture and the information about you) and carry it separately from your passport.

§ While in China, keep your passport in the room safe or hotel safe deposit box. Do not carry it with you around town.

§ You will need your passport to change currency in China.

If needed, there is an American Consulate in Shanghai Tel: (86-21) 6279-7630 Fax: (86-21) 6279-7639

Chinese Visa You must have a visa to enter China. There are several types of visa. Most conference participants will require Tourist / Family Visit (L Visa). You can find this visa application on our web site (www.asqcsd.org/china). Be sure to include one passport size color photo with your visa application. When filling out the visa application, line #14, Purpose of Journey should be answered as “tourist.” Line #16 maybe answered as “Hauting Hotel, Shanghai.”

Other visa types are listed below:

§ Visa for Business Visit (F Visa)

§ Visa for Employment / Work (Z Visa)

§ Student Visa (X Visa or F Visa)

§ Resident Visa (D Visa)

§ Transit Visa (G Visa)

§ Procedures for US-Born Children of Chinese Origin to Visit China

§ Hong Kong Visa for Citizens of US & Other Countries

§ Ordinary Passport Holders from Singapore and Brunei Will Enjoy Visa-free Access to China

The Chinese Embassy and Consulates do not accept visa applications sent in by mail. The applicants are required to be present in the Passport & Visa Office for visa application. If an applicant cannot appear personally, he/she may entrust a relative, friend, or travel/visa agent to come to submit the application.


3

The applicants should apply in person to the Passport & Visa Office. Cost is $50.00 for a single entry visa. $75.00 for double entry and $100.00 for multi-entry 6-month visa.

Travel Insurance Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. For under $100, you can purchase an optional trip protection plan from Travel Guard. Contact Bonnie Braga (telephone and e-mail info on the inside cover) or visit www.chinalife.com - insurance.

U.S. Customs If you leave the U.S. with foreign-made serialized items (cameras, watches, computers, etc.) that appear to be new, you should bring a copy of the sales slip or register it with the U.S. Customs Service office at the airport in order to prevent having to pay duty upon re-entering the U.S. Declaring these items before departure can be performed at the US customs office at the airport; complete form 4457, be sure to have your receipts with you. Thus, to avoid any confusion, you should declare any such items at your nearest U.S. Customs Service office or at the U.S. Customs Service office at the international airport from which you depart.

If you carry more than US $10,000 (all currencies, traveler’s checks, money orders, gold or other bearer monetary instruments) into or out of the U.S., you are required by U.S. law (19 CFR) to file a report with the U.S. Customs Service.

When you return to the U.S., you will have to clear customs at your first U.S. stop. See Returning to the U.S. chapter.

Air travel and upgrades es, it is a long flight from San Francisco to Shanghai. About 12-hours. We even loose a day, because we cross the International Date Line in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. (But we gain that day back on returning.) We will mail all tickets to you 20-days before departure, i.e. August 13th, at the address you

gave on your registration form. Please send your United Airlines frequent flyer number and seat preference to Bonnie Braga, our Meeting Planner, by July 30th. Don’t panic unless you haven’t received them by August 31th.

We are flying from San Francisco to Shanghai. Please notify Bonnie Braga if you departure airport to San Francisco.

Luggage Allowance Each passenger is allowed two pieces of checked luggage on international flights. We recommend you bring only one piece over, not to exceed 50-pounds. If you “shop ‘til you drop,” you can always buy an extra suitcase or bag in Shanghai for a few dollars and use it for the flight back. If you plan to extend your visit to other cities, flights

L

Y

ç


4

within China limit each passenger to one piece of luggage not weighing more than 44-pounds.

All of your checked luggage should be locked; however, due to new security protocol, you find it easier to check unlocked luggage because if they need to open your bags after x-raying they will break the lock.

In addition to checked luggage, you may bring one or two carry-on pieces. There isn’t much room in the back of the plane, so keep them small and lightweight. Your big stuff should be checked.

Another tip: If you are traveling with a companion, pack some of your companion’s clothes in your bag and vice versa. Then, if one bag is lost, each of you will at least have a change of clothing. Also, pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.

Departing from the USA You must check in at United Airline’s international desk at least two-hours before the flight departs. Lines can be long, so get there in plenty of time. We will travel non-stop to Shanghai. Details will be on your flight itinerary, which will come with your tickets in the mail. If in doubt, call Bonnie, our Meeting Planner.

If you depart from an airport other than SFO, make sure that your luggage is checked all the way through to Shanghai in China. It’s best to call Bonnie Braga, our Meeting Planner, for the exact procedure for your city.

When checking in at the UAL desk, you will show your ticket and passport (with the Visa). Your bags will be tagged and you will receive your boarding cards. If you have a United Airlines frequent flyer account, the number will be printed on your boarding cards. You will carry your bags to the security check area. Then you will go through security screening yourself. From this point on, you are in a protected part of the airport. Proceed to the gate area and await the departure of the flight.

On-board Comfort It is a long flight from North America to China. After all, you are traveling halfway around the world. During the flight, try to move around as much as possible. Walk the aisles frequently in order to minimize swollen feet and ankles. When seated, put your feet up on the edge of your carry-on case in order to keep the seat edge from limiting the circulation in your legs. Place the airline’s pillow or your own roll-shaped cushion behind the small of your back. Neck pillows or inflatable pillows also help to make long flights more comfortable.

Exercises while seated will help you relax. Move your head back and forth and from side to side in order to relieve neck tension. Loosen your shoulder muscles by shrugging. Relieve facial tension by opening your mouth as wide as you can, letting your tongue hang out, and opening your eyes as wide as possible. Stimulate your

¿

Q


5

muscles by contracting and releasing several times. Point your feet and wiggle your toes. Flex your hands, spread your fingers wide, and then make a fist.

Pack a sweater and a pair of slipper-socks in your carry-on. Be prepared in case it gets too cold for your comfort on the plane. Ask the flight attendant for a blanket if necessary.

Set your watch to China time as soon as you board the plane. This will help you start thinking in terms of your destination time and diminish some of the psychological effects of jet lag. Note, all of China is on one time zone - Beijing time.

In order to prevent dehydration, drink lots of water–at least four ounces per hour of flight time. Flight attendants will serve water and fruit juice frequently. Avoid alcohol as it accelerates dehydration. Also, to counter the effects of the dry air in the cabin, use a moisturizer on your face and hands or spray your face with water from an atomizer bottle. Some people develop earaches during flight. In order to relieve ear pressure, “pop” your ears by holding your nose shut, closing your mouth, and attempting to blow air through your nostrils before take-off. During the flight, swallow frequently, chew gum or candy, and “pop” your ears as pressure builds. Do this especially if you feel you are coming down with a cold.

Airport Taxes Your airport and flight taxes from San Francisco have already been paid. If you plan on additional travel in China, prepare to pay 50-yuan for domestic travel and 90-yuan for international departure.

Each person is responsible for the departure tax upon leaving China. Currently, this tax is 90-yuan (about US$11). It must be paid in Chinese RMB and not American dollar. As we leave Shanghai on Friday, we will remind you of the tax.

Upgrades We will be traveling coach class. All United Airlines flights are all non-smoking. You may upgrade to business or first class if you wish, but the extra fee will be paid by you. Please contact Bonnie Braga, our Meeting Planner, about upgrade arrangements.

During the Flight You will receive two Chinese documents from the attendants on the United flight. The first document will be the Health Declaration; the second is the Arrival Card. Take a minute and complete each document before landing. Our a ddress in Shanghai is the Hua Ting Hotel.

Drink lots of Water!


6

Arrival in Shanghai pon arrival in Shanghai, we will proceed through customs and immigration. It will be about 8 p.m. on Saturday, China time. (Remember the day we “lost”?) We should try to go through together–it’s much easier on the officials and us. You stand in line, and then show the officials your passport

and Visa. Be polite and answer any questions they might have. The purpose of our visit is tourism. We will be in China for one week.

Entering the Shanghai airport, you will pass through a body temperature scan. This is the normal process for SARS screening throughout most of Asia.

Each visitor to China is required to complete a Chinese Entry form and Chinese Health Declaration form; the cabin crew distributes these forms during the flight to China. The health form may be checked on your way home, so keep the stamped copy with your passport to avoid hassles latter.

You are required to keep the duplicate copy of the customs Entry form until you exit China; at that time, you must again present the form.

To the hotel Now, go get your bags, go through customs and look for the CAQ sign. Hang around for the others in our group. After all have arrived, we will board our bus for the Hua Ting Hotel.

Four- and five-star hotels in China are excellent and rival the quality and service of the best hotels in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. In fact, many hotels in China are managed by Europeans and Americans or by Chinese nationals who were trained in Western hotel management. Rooms are twin-bedded with a private bath and shower. Our hotel will have a business center, fitness center, swimming pool, massage service, disco, restaurants, and bars.

You will receive a hotel card and your daily breakfast vouchers. Usually the folder containing your room key is also a hotel card indicating the hotel name, address, and telephone number. Keep the card with you at all times so that, should you get lost, you will have all the information you need to return safely to your hotel. After front desk registration, hotel guests proceed to their rooms.

Many hotels in China use your room card as a switch for the lights. You open the room door, and then insert your keycard into a box inside the room doorway. This closes a circuit breaker for the lights and wall plugs. When you leave, the circuit breaker opens (so be careful of leaving electric devices plugged in to run or charge while you’re away)!

U

�


7

Your luggage will be delivered to your room by the hotel bellmen. This will take some time. In China, tipping is not expected. While it will not cause offense, it is not normal. Your conference team will handle all hotel gratuities.

Your hotel costs of room, taxes, surcharges, and service fees have been paid. However, all incidental charges, including room service, mini bar, laundry, and restaurant and bar charges, must be settled by you directly with the hotel cashier upon check-out. Settlements can be made by cash or credit card (Visa, Master Card, or American Express).

Amenities The Hua Ting Hotel will have common amenities, including soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, lotions, nail file, and comb. Many rooms also have hair dryers. If a hair dryer is not available in your room, you can obtain one from the housekeeping department–along with other items such as an iron and voltage converter. The rooms probably will not have alarm clocks, so you should bring along a small wind-up clock of your own.

Time to rest You will probably be quite tired by now. You are in a new country with sights, sounds and smells you may not have experienced before. It is natural to feel overwhelmed! Once we get to the hotel and you are checked into your room, you may wish to take a nap or go outside and walk a few blocks. This is your time to begin the recovery from your long journey. We have nothing scheduled for this first (Saturday) evening.

Breakfast Your stay in Shanghai includes a complimentary full-course buffet breakfast of both Western and Chinese breakfast foods. Breakfast is served from 06:00 to 09:00 daily. Just show the hostess your room card.

Sunday orientation meeting lease plan to attend the two-hour briefing session in the hotel on Sunday morning. Your guests should also attend. We will go over the schedule for the rest of the conference and give you the handout material. We want to answer all

your questions about the events about to unfold. The briefing starts at 10:00 a.m. (China time).

Our briefing session will begin at 10 AM and end at noon. After the meeting, we will break for lunch. Lunch will be served in the Hua Ting hotel.

After lunch, we will depart for Yu Yuan Gardens and Jade Buddha Temple at 1:30.

ã

a P


8

At 6:00 p.m, we will take a one-hour river cruise. By 7:00 p.m. everyone will be on their way back to the Hua Ting Hotel and on their own by 7:30 p.m.

Clothing and dress ake half as many clothes as you think you will need. This is based on a simple traveler’s rule worldwide: Take twice as much money as you think you will need and half as many clothes.

In general, visitors to China should pack casual, comfortable attire. Shorts are acceptable attire for outdoors and shopping activities. Comfortable and durable walking shoes are essential for our visit to Zhou Jia Jiao on Thursday. September in Shanghai will be warm, but not hot. You shouldn’t need a jacket, but a sweater may be useful. You should not bring expensive jewelry, since you won’t have the occasion to wear it and you don’t want to worry about losing it. You may want to bring along a swimming suit and exercise wear for use in the hotel pool and gym.

For the conference delegates:

Business attire is expected for the conference sessions: sport coat or suit and tie for the men and dress or pant suit for the women. The Farewell Banquet planned for Wednesday night is also a “dressy” event.

For the guests:

Casual informal wear is perfect. Do expect to walk, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Shanghai is a large international city. We are staying in the heart of the business and shopping district. Expect the dress to be more formal than small-town American cities.

Medications and health o really enjoy your stay, you must be in good health and remain that way. Nearly everyone will experience a sore throat and coughing by the second or third day, due to the air pollution of the big city in a constant state of

construction. If you have allergies or asthma, the symptoms will undoubtedly worsen. All should bring cold and sinus medications. You will need them. Over-the-counter items are available, but it is always best to bring your own. Drinking plenty of fluids (see below) will help.

For our short stay in Shanghai, you do not need any special immunizations. Check with you doctor for any special considerations. If you are on medication, be sure to bring a week’s supply.

T

C T


9

Your primary concern while in Shanghai is drinking water. The simple rule is don’t. You will have a daily supply of bottled water in the hotel room. You can purchase bottled water in the hotel and in the shops. Water served in restaurants is OK, but avoid all tap water–including water for brushing your teeth. When you take a shower, avoid swallowing the tap water. Do not eat fruits and vegetables from street vendors without first washing them. Our Western digestive system is not equipped for the Chinese water supply.

Currency he official name for the currency in China is Renminbi (abbreviated as RMB, the “people’s money”) with denominations of the yuan, jiao, and fen, which bear a relationship to each other somewhat like the dollar, dime, and penny.

RMB is not traded on international markets and can be officially purchased or exchanged only in China. Foreign currencies and traveler’s checks may be converted to RMB at hotels. The rate of currency exchange is the same everywhere in China. Figure on about 8.2 yuan to the dollar. Just divide the Chinese price by 8. For example, if an item costs 10 yuan, that’s about US $1.25. As a quick calculation, just divide the Chinese price by 8 to get the American price.

Your first opportunity to exchange your money for Chinese yuan will be at airport, but you should wait until we get to our hotel. The exchange rates are about the same. Moneychangers accept bills or traveler’s checks (but not coins). When you exchange money, keep the receipt so you can “un-exchange” it when leaving China.

You should carry about $100 cash in $1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations. This can be a plus when buying from street vendors. (Yes, they like the American dollar.)

Do not exchange your dollars for RMB on the street! Also, be careful not to except bills that are very worn or damaged.

Most of the larger stores accept U.S. dollar bills and credit cards. Smaller shops and street vendors expect Chinese money although they may be able to accept US dollars or credit cards. Smaller shops and street vendors expect you to negotiate for a lower price than marked. It is reasonable to Start negotiating at 30% of the asking price.

ATM Access While ATM machines are not readily available in China, you will find Shanghai more accommodating than most Chinese cities. Just as in America, the ATM machines will “eat” your card if you punch in the wrong PIN three times in a row. If you run really short of cash, the Bank of China will sometimes give you a cash advance on a credit card, but they will charge you dearly for it.

� T


10

Traveler’s Checks You should carry a few hundred dollars in traveler’s checks as a safety measure. $50 per day is a reasonable number. Besides, you can always use them when you return home. For convenience, carry some traveler’s checks in $20 denominations. All traveler’s checks drawn on American banks are accepted in China. Be sure to make a list of your check numbers and keep the list in a safe place separate from your wallet, purse, or passport.

Credit Cards Major credit cards (except Discover Card and Dinners Club) are accepted at all hotels, most tourist stores, and factory outlets in China. Be sure to record your account numbers (and customer service telephone numbers) in case you lose your credit cards.

Try making most of your purchases by credit card. You will get a good exchange rate, the protection of the card’s charge-back provisions, and often an extra guarantee on your items.

Phones, faxes, and Internet Every hotel in China has a mail desk for postcards, letters, and stamps.

International direct dialing (IDD) is available from your room. Check with your long distance carrier on how to place calls from China. You may wish to buy a few prepaid calling cards from authorized distributors all over Shanghai.

Most long distance companies have a local number in Shanghai. Just as in the USA, you will be charged a nominal fee for local calls. If you use the hotel’s long distance carrier, all charges for telephone calls made from your room must be settled with the hotel cashier upon checkout. You may have to place a deposit, perhaps via credit card, for this service to be activated at the time of check-in. To call the USA, first dial the access hotel code, then the country code for the USA is 01, then the phone number. Our hotel operators will tell you exactly what numbers to use for overseas calls.

Cell phones with international access (tri-band) will receive calls and work well in Shanghai; however, you may experience difficulty dialing out or dialing your voice message center.

E-mail and fax Access to the Internet is available for a charge a t the hotel business center. Most folks just leave their laptops at home, however, to better enjoy the China experience. If you really must check your e-mail, it maybe accessed at the hotel’s business center. Typical charges are 10 yuan ($1.25) for the first 10 minutes and 2.5 yuan per minute thereafter. Internet cafes are also an excellent place to check email and these cafes normally have superior connection speeds.

(

É


11

Fax machines are also available at the business center for sending and receiving. The business center fax number from the USA is 011-.

Electricity The Chinese electrical system operates on 220 volts. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts, which is the North American standard, will need a converter. Many small appliances and most laptop battery chargers will operate on both 110 and 220; however, the Chinese do not use the standard U.S. three-prong plugs. Standard electrical service in China is 220 ACV, 50-hertz. Plugs are two-round prong and/or tri-flat prong. Your best bet is to pack an inexpensive adapter kit, available from Home Depot or Radio Shack for about $10-20. Most hotel rooms have two electric outlets in the bathroom–one at 110 volts and the other at 220 volts. In some cases the bathroom 110 outlet is limited to service only razors. Do keep in mind that not all outlets marked at 110 volts are marked correctly. If you have any doubt, ask the housekeeping department for a converter.

Time Time throughout China is set at Beijing time. They do not shift to daylight savings time. In September, Shanghai is 15-hours ahead of Pacific Time. When it’s noon in Beijing, it’s 9 p.m. (the previous day) in Los Angeles and midnight in New York City.

Cameras and picture-taking China has no restrictions on bringing in cameras and film for personal use. The best camera to take is one that is easy to carry and use. Multiple lenses and attachments are heavy, bulky, and cumbersome. Film in China is readily available as are most batteries.

Video and photo cameras may be used freely, except for photographing religious places, the PLA, i.e. policemen, (PAP) and military people and events. It is always polite to ask permission before taking someone’s picture. Pointing to your camera and then to the person you want to photograph will generally get your point across. Most museums and art galleries do not allow photography, just as at home.

It is reasonable to plan to one roll of film (36 exposures) per day. If you have a video camera, be aware that charging those batteries may be a challenge. Polarized outlets are not always available outside of the hotel.

During our conference, please feel free to take as many pictures as you wish at anytime.

µ


12

Returning to the USA Immigration Regardless of your final designation, you must first clear customs before making your way to your final destination. Your first check is U.S. Immigration and Customs. Returning U.S. citizens have their own lines, which go much faster than non-citizens. Just show your passport and answer any questions. After you clear immigration, you will proceed to the baggage claim area. Bags generally take about 20 minutes to unload. It can be quite crowded. Say your “good byes” here. Your new friends are about to leave.

U.S. Customs The United Airlines attendants will give to you a U.S. Customs Declaration form. Complete the form (one per family) while on the plane. Detail your purchased items and their cost. Present the completed form to the U.S. Customs agent when requested. You maybe charged a duty if the total declared value exceeds $600.00 USD.

Be careful of what you buy. Black-market, bootleg and other forbidden items maybe confiscated and destroyed by U.S. Customs. This includes CDs, DVDs, antiques, plants, animals, and the usual contraband.

When re-entering the U.S., you must declare, at the price paid, everything acquired abroad, including gifts given to you and articles purchased even if they have been worn or used. You should be able to produce receipts for all goods acquired abroad and calculate their total U.S. dollar value. Warning: If you fail to declare (or if you understate) the value of your purchases, penalties can be severe and articles subject to seizure. Again, if in doubt, declare it! The airline crew will pass out U.S. Customs forms for you to complete before we land. The forms are also available on the ground.

While abroad, gift packages may be sent to friends and relatives at addresses different from your own, and these may be received free of duty if the value does not exceed US$50.

Many travelers are confused by the term “duty-free” as it relates to Duty Free shops. Articles bought in “duty-free” shops in foreign countries are subject to U.S. customs duty and restrictions, but may be included in your personal exemption. If you purchased something on the way out in a U.S. “duty-free” shop, you are subject to U.S. customs duty if you bring it back into the U.S. “Duty-free” really means that the shop (a bonded warehouse) has not paid a duty on the items it sells. You, however, are responsible for any duty that may apply.

Entering into U.S. Customs each person is allowed $600.00 of goods free of duty. Entered goods in excess of $600.00, the duty is 10% up to the first $ 1,000.00. Entered goods in excess of $ 1,400.00, the duties are at the standard dutiable rate. Note; duty free goods must still be declared.

F


13

Certified antiques are duty-free, but duty on non-antique porcelain, bronzes, and jewelry can range from 25% to 110%, depending on the item. The U.S. Customs Service requires a signed receipt from the dealer certifying that the item is more than 100 years old. Be prepared for challenges to the originality of artwork and the authenticity of antiques. An original artwork is duty-free, but mass-produced artwork carries a 25% duty. In order to qualify as original, the piece should be the only one of its kind and should be signed. (You can argue past the absence of a signature. If the piece is indeed original, hold your ground and make your case.)

Brand-name items might be available at greatly reduced prices. They might also be counterfeit and subject to seizure. Do not bring meats, fruits, or vegetables into the U.S. Also, many items made from the bone and/or skin of endangered wildlife may not be imported into the country. Among these items are all products made from sea turtles, all ivory, furs from spotted cats, furs from marine mammals, feathers and feather products from wild birds, and most coral. A huge amount of information about this subject may be found online at the Customs Service web site: http://www.customs.gov/travel/travel.htm.

Duty Taxes When re-entering the U.S., the duty-free exemption for each person over 18-years of age is 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 1.36 kilograms (3 pounds) of tobacco. In addition, the duty-free exemption for each person over 21-years of age is one liter (33.8 fluid ounces) of wine, beer, or distilled spirits.

Last word: the U.S. Customs folks are nice people and they have the power to assess duties and fines. A sample mistake may cost you a little; be a jerk, and lose the item(s) and pay a big fine!

Items that appear old may cause problems at Chinese customs as well. Antiques that are not “National Treasures” may be purchased. Your receipt must have a red seal to show that the item is legal to sell and remove from the country.

C O U N T R Y I N F O R M A T I O N

14

The technical sessions This is the reason for the conference–to explore approaches to quality from a Western and Eastern perspective. We want to better understand the cultures, so we can build on the strengths and overcome the weaknesses in the customer-supplier relationship.

Conference leadership team ounded in 1979, the China Association for Quality (CAQ) is a national organization administered by both the State Economic & Trade Commission. They have established a number of regional, sector and professional level quality

control associations throughout the country. CAQ promotes quality in products, construction, transportation, and service. They have about 500 corporate members and 3,000 individual members.

The China Association for Quality conducts conferences on quality in China and sends representatives to the ASQ Annual Quality Congress in the USA. They publish books and magazines on quality in China. CAQ also provides training resources to Chinese individuals and enterprises.

Ms. Ma Lin is the deputy director (number 2 in charge) and manager of international activities. She is called, “Madame Ma.” (Pronounced MAH) Mr. Tian Tongkun is an English-speaking engineer on staff who helps us in the communications. He is called, “Mr. Tian.” (Pronounced Tee-AN)

The American organizers are Tom Scroggin, Dennis Arter, and Bonnie Braga. Tom is a consultant on business in China and on quality who lives in California. He has been to China 25 times in the past five years. Tom can speak Mandarin. Dennis is an auditing trainer who lives in Washington (the State). He is a Fellow in the ASQ and active in the Society. This will be his forth visit to China. Bonnie is a professional meeting planner who lives in Florida. She conducts tours in China and around the world for groups large and small. Bonnie has been to China 20 times.

Chapter

2

F

C O N F E R E N C E I N F O R M A T I O N

15

Itinerary

Week at a glance

Delegates Guests Sunday morning Orientation briefing

Sunday afternoon Independent sightseeing or escorted city walk

Sunday evening River cruise

Monday morning Opening Plenary and technical sessions

Pudong Area sites and train

Monday afternoon Technical sessions Shanghai Museum

Monday evening Group Welcome Dinner

Tuesday morning Technical sessions Suzhou city sites

Tuesday afternoon Technical sessions Suzhou city sites

Tuesday evening Aerobatic Show and Dinner

Wednesday morning Technical sessions and Closing Plenary

Free day for shopping at the Nanjing street area

Wednesday afternoon Factory Tours Old Town - Free day continues.

Wednesday evening Farewell banquet

Thursday Zhou Jia Jiao

Thursday evening Independent shopping and independent dinner

Friday Departure

Payment Your balance is due on June 15th. Without it, we cannot purchase the airplane tickets! This is a busy time of the year for travel and the airlines have a limited number of seats. Checks should be payable to ASQ Customer-Supplier Division. Please send your payment to SG Meeting Services:

SG Meeting Services 5400 Bosque Blvd. Ste 680 Waco, TX 76710 (254) 776-3550 (ask for Erika)

�


16

To avoid any misunderstandings, please know that this conference is sponsored by the Customer-Supplier Division of the American Society for Quality . The principals are doing this because they believe it is important and are not driven by profit. Bonnie makes her living from commissions from the airlines and hotels.

Items you receive in Shanghai e give each person a welcome kit at the orientation briefing on Sunday morning. Conference delegates will get a binder with the transactions and the detailed schedule of presentations. Guests will get a souvenir kit with

descriptions of the places to be visited. All will receive a writing tablet and pen, along with a fold-up bag for carrying things. (You may wish to take along your own light carrying bag.) Of course, you should bring your camera to the various events. Conference delegates should be aware that meeting rooms do not have power for charging laptop batteries.

Conference sessions and translation e will have all the conference PowerPoint slides on a master CDROM. They will already be loaded into the computers in each meeting room. Please do not bring your own laptop for the presentations.

Many of the Chinese delegates speak English, but not well. Most of the American delegates do not speak Chinese. We will translate the written material beforehand, but the spoken words will need on-site translation. CAQ will provide translators for each session. They will study your paper before the meeting, so they know the general meaning of your presentation. They will need your help during the delivery.

You must not assume that everyday concepts are known and understood. It’s not that we are stupid or foolish. The words just do not translate well. Take the concepts from your presentation and break them down to five or six big things. Keep emphasizing those big things during your presentation.

Please avoid slang and acronyms. Please avoid jokes – they do not translate well. Discussions on Taiwan, the Dai Lama and Tiananmen Square are best avoided.

Say your first thought. This should take about three or four sentences and 10-15 seconds. Then pause, so the translator can assemble your words, understand the message, and deliver that message. While this is happening, look at your audience to see if they understand the translation. Heads will nod and eyes become bright if the message is understood. If people do not understand, they will show it in their faces. Once the translator has stopped, it is now your turn to continue. Back and forth you go!

W

W

�


17

If it becomes difficult, use the laser pointer (We will have these in the rooms.) to emphasize the PowerPoint slide words or images. Ask your friends in the audience for help. We will have several Chinese-speaking delegates, from both sides, in the audience.

Perhaps you have heard that Chinese people have great respect for the teacher. Often, this may result in a poor delivery because the students do not wish to offend the teacher. In a technical conference such as ours, this is not the case. We are equals meeting to discuss items of common interest. The Chinese will quiz you and you should quiz them. Be polite and respect differences in approaches. We will all benefit from the exchange of ideas!

Business cards ring at least a hundred business cards! Two hundred, maybe. Guests should also have a few dozen cards. The cost is small for the benefits they afford.

Advanced Printing in California has agreed to typeset, translate, and print your cards for $75.00 (including shipping) for a box of 500 cards. They will take all orders received by July 7 and print them in one run to save costs. Send the following information to Advanced Printing, 25124 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717, (310) 326-4553, [email protected]:

§ Name § Title § Company § Mailing address § Phone, fax, and e-mail § Credit card number for payment

Cards will be typeset in English on one side and Chinese on the other. They will be printed in black ink on 80 lb. white stock. If you send your order in early, they will fax you a proof page before the big run.

Giving cards in Asia is a nice ritual. It shows respect for the accomplishments of the other person. These are sometimes referred to a “name cards.” Give your card to your new friend by holding it at the top corners in each hand. It is a gift from you to them. They will study your card, set it aside, and offer you their card in return. Accept the card in both hands, study it, and smile.

Gifts ou may have heard that gift giving is another ritual in Asia. At the formal level, the representatives of our group (Tom and Dennis) are expected to give a gift to the representatives of another group (CAQ). As individuals, this is not

B

Y


18

something expected of you. As professionals, you can offer reprints of papers or ISO 9001 cheat cards or company pens to those individuals who become your new friends. The value should not exceed a dollar or two.

Don’t let this trouble you. If you have something of technical value that might be enjoyed by your colleagues in China, such as a newsletter, feel free to give it away at the conference. However, we will not have a large gift exchange.


19

Country information It would take a hundred life-times to see all of the marvelous sites in the Middle Kingdom, which is the literal translation of “Zhong Guo”–China’s name in Chinese. China is the world’s third largest country in land area (after Canada and Russia), stretching more than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) across the face of Asia. Shanghai is but a small part of a very large country.

Chinese language A few hard to pronounce Chinese pinyin letters: ZH as in the beginning of “jeweler” CH as in ZH above, but with a strong puff of breath SH as in “shoe” R as in “run” C like the “ts” in “it’s high,” but with a strong puff of breath J as in “Jeff” Q like the “ch” in “cheese” X like the “sh” in “sheep”

Chinese Phrases:

Mei-guo (May-gwaw) America Zhong-guo (Joong-gwaw) China Ni Hao. (Knee How) Good day / Hello / How are you Xie-xie ni. (Syeah-syeah nee) Thank you. Dui-bu-qi. (Dway-boo-chee) Excuse me. Wo bu dong. (Waw boo-doong) I don’t understand. Qing shou Ying-wen. (Ching shwaw Ying-wun) Please speak English. Qing bang-zhu wo. (Ching baang-joo waw) Please help me. Wo mi-lu le. (Waw mee-loo luh) I am lost. Zai jian. (Dzai gee-en) Goodbye. Ni, chi fan le, mei you (Knee chir fawn la, may yo) Have you eaten Ming tien jian. (Ming tien jian) See you tomorrow. Tai gui le. (Tai gwee luh) (It is) too expensive.

Chapter

3

The Chinese language is tonal, meaning the pitch and inflections also have meanings. Don’t feel bad if your meaning is not under-stood. The fact that you tried is important to the Chinese people. (Tone marks are not shown in this table. Tone mark numbers are shown in the next table.)


20

American Phrases:

I, me Wo [3] (Waw) You (singular) Ni [3] (Knee) He / she Ta [1] (Tah) China Zhong-guo [1-2] (Joong-gwaw) America Mei-guo [2-2] (May-gwaw) Hello Ni hao [3-3] (Nee how) Thank you Xie-xie ni [4-4-3] (Syeah-syeah nee) Excuse me Dui-bu-qi [4-2-3] (Dway-boo-chee) I don’t understand Wo bu dong [3-2-3] (Waw boo-doong) Please speak English Qing shou Ying-wen [3-1-1-2] (Ching shwaw Ying-wun) Please help me Qing bang-zhu wo [3-1-4-3] (Ching baang-joo waw) I am lost Wo mi-lu le [3-2-4-0] (Waw mee-loo luh) Goodbye Zai jian [4-4] (zy gee-en) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Yi 1, Er 4, San 1, Si 4, Wu 3, Leo 2, Qi 1, Ba 1, Jou 3, Shi 2 See you tomorrow Ming tian jian [1-1-4] (Ming tian gee-en)

Food and drink hinese cooking is famous and a fine art perfected through the centuries. You will almost always find something on the table to satisfy your taste of diet. Because of lactose intolerance among Asian people, very little milk products are

used. Chinese meals do not generally include dessert. Fruit, usually watermelon, will tell you that the meal is coming to an end.

Of course, Western fast-food chains are all over the city. There’s even a Hard Rock Café, where you can buy t-shirts. You’ll be able to find Western food and junk food at the hotel and some local stores,

Chopsticks You should try to get comfortable with chopsticks before you leave. Most of the restaurants will have flatware, but it’s nicer to use the native tools. You use the chopsticks for picking up items from the communal dish, as well as eating from your own plate. Even rice is eaten with chopsticks, by holding the bowl close to your lips and flicking the grains into your mouth. Use the thicker end for stabbing.

Banquets The Chinese banquet is a fun time–extravagant dishes, no rice and lots of toasting. People may applaud you as you enter the banquet hall. It is polite to applaud back. Dishes are served in sequence, beginning with cold appetizers and continuing through many courses. Cold appetizers, meat, fish and soup are sequentially served with lots of beer, tea, and soda.

Drinking, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is done by toasting. These will start with a general toast from the group leaders. Then you pick up the custom by toasting specific individuals. Raise your glass in the direction of the toastee with both hands and

C

ä

First tone = high level. Second tone = tone raises. Third tone = starts high, falls and returns to high. Forth tone = short, abrupt sound.


21

announce “gahn bay” which means “dry cup.” (Despite the meaning, it is acceptable to drain the glass or just take a sip.) Chinese people do not usually clink glasses; although, they may want to show friendship by adapting to the custom.

The idea is to serve far more than everyone can eat–empty bowls signify that the host was inadequate in satisfying the needs of the guests. The rule is eat slowly! Try to sample a small amount of each dish. After the fruit is served and the toasting ends, the banquet is finished. Chinese don’t linger after the meal.

Other meals Like the banquets, there will be lots of food. More than you can possibly eat. Leave a bit on your plate, so the servers know you have had enough. Our group meals will be served community style, with a lazy-Susan in the middle of the table. The plates tend to hang over the edge and overlap each other. Take care when spinning the table–too fast and food goes flying! Keep your drink away from the spinning table, or it will get knocked over by a plate.

Plan to gain a few pounds while you are in China. If you are on a low carb diet, you’ll find plenty of low or no carb dishes.

If you cannot eat certain foods (peanuts, bananas, shellfish, etc.) please let one of the organizers know. We’ll help you to avoid these unwanted items.

Etiquette henever you are in a foreign country, you should try to make your counterpart comfortable with you. Chinese people are delighted when foreigners try to speak in their language and act according to their rules. Be

concerned and friendly. We sometimes come across as noisy. The more hospitable you are, the better you will be received.

Communication Stand up when you are being introduced. Shake hands; say your name and the name of your company or organization. Say “nee how” for hello. You must speak slowly and distinctly, so they can translate in their minds. Use both hands to offer your business card. Study their card a few minutes. When in the conference room, place the cards in front of you, so you can remember names and positions.

Chinese people are seldom called by their given (first) names, except by close relatives or friends. Chinese surnames come first, not last. You may address a Chinese person by their surname together with a title, such as “Mister Li,” “Professor Zhang,” “Miss Chow,” or “Madame Lu.” You may also use the title alone, such as “Professor.” When in doubt, use the full name with Mr. or Ms. in front, such as “Mr. Song Liu.”

W


22

Chinese and Americans differ in their views on privacy and personal issues. Be prepared for questions about your marriage, your salary, and your age. If you are uncomfortable, just deflect the question with humor. You should avoid discussing religion or politics. Avoid discussing minorities, Tibet, Taiwan, and the Tiananmen Square incident. Acceptable topics include food, weather, your visit to China, and (of course) trade, business, quality tools and technologies.

When the Chinese person nods, he is signaling that he understands you. He is not saying that he agrees with you. When talking through an interpreter, pause frequently and avoid slang. Always talk to your host and not the translator! Groups such as ours will always have people on both sides that speak the other language. Often, these unofficial translators can be helpful.

Face This can be described as status, ego, or self-respect. “Face” means to avoid looking foolish and having to back down in front of others. It is common to all cultures. People do not always say what they think. They may say what they believe you want to hear or what will save them embarrassment. Failure to preserve the face of others is like robbing them of their social status and bringing humiliation on them.

A negotiated settlement of differences, providing benefits to both parties, is always better than confrontation. Avoid confrontation. Try smiling persistence. The Chinese refuse in a number of ways without saying no: it is inconvenient, or it is under consideration, this may be very difficult, or it is being discussed.

Face can be given as well as lost. Doing something that enhances their reputation or prestige can go a long way. Praise their approach to QC or suggest that their practice is acceptable in the USA. Avoid bragging, though. Chinese tradition encourages humility. When you give a complement, be prepared to accept one in return. When receiving a complement, be humble and try to give a complement back.

Tipping There is no tipping in China.

Getting around Shanghai ur conference will be in the Hua Ting Hotel. The area is safe and used to overseas guests.

You will have several opportunities to visit the city, either by yourself or with your colleagues. If you plan to travel more than a few blocks, taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Before you leave, ask the hotel for a card. On one side, they will print, “Please take me to ______.” On the other side, will be, “Please take me back to the

i

O�


23

Hua Ting Hotel,” along with an address. Since you don’t speak Chinese, and the taxi drivers normally don’t speak English, these little cards are quite useful.

Taxis are cheap by Western standards (usually 1.2, 1.6, or 2.0 yuan per km). They are plentiful and convenient. The charge is shown in yuan on the meter. Taxi drivers sometimes use the ignorance of foreign visitors as an extra source of income. This is true in NYC and it is true in Shanghai. Some drivers will try to quote a flat rate to a destination. It is usually higher than the meter, so make sure the meter is on when you start your trip. The charge is by distance and not per person. All taxis have a minimum charge of 10 to 12 yuan, even for short distances. There is usually an extra charge to put large bags in the trunk of the taxi. Make sure you have small bills for the fare.

If you feel adventurous, you can take the Shanghai Underground. All journeys cost 2 yuan, irrespective of distance. They can be quite crowded during the rush hours, but the signs and announcements are plentiful and bilingual. Check with the hotel before taking the subway.

We do not recommend the city buses. They are crowded and confusing.

In China the official language is Mandarin; however, most cities also have their own language. In Shanghai it is Shanghaiese and is completely different from Mandarin.

General information on shopping ost of your shopping will probably be done in hotel stores, department stores, or factory stores–or from vendors at attraction sites. Remember to keep a log of your purchases; this will make it easier to complete customs

forms. Include in your log what you paid in Chinese currency along with the U.S. dollar equivalent.

Shopping Experiences There are four types of places to shop. Easiest is the Friendship stores and foreign hotels. These are geared to tourists’ tastes. Shopping for gifts here is an easy task. The prices are fixed because these are government stores. You pay as marked. (Remember to divide by 8 for conversion to American dollars.)

The second kind of place to shop is a public store. Shanghai will have many local department stores, specialty shops, restaurant shops and factory shops. If you go to the factory in China, you are often paying a premium to see the items being made. There is little room for bargaining, however; factories tend to have better quality merchandise available. The prices in the local stores are usually set, so you are likely to pay the marked price.

M


24

The third place is a stall in a market, where you always have to bargain. You will find them all around the city and countryside. You have to bargain to get the best price, which could be at low as half of the initial price or less. There are no refunds and no exchanges, but sometimes there are very good values. This is really fun!

The fourth place to buy is from street merchants. These people tend to hang around tourist venues and buses. Be very firm when you bargain here! (American dollars are gladly accepted. Know what type of money you are talking about.) A deal is never sealed until money changes hands, so look at the item closely before paying for it. Do not buy anything out of the windows of buses.

Peddlers worldwide use many tricks to separate you from your money. Taiwanese currency rather than RMB may be given as change. If you hand the peddler a large bill, he may simply take off. Any street peddler trying to sell you an antique is probably selling you an item of recent vintage. Shanghai is known for its many ingenious means of separating you from your money; don’t get shanghaied!

Beggars There has been a resurgence of professional beggars in Shanghai. This often takes the form of adults using children purposely dirty and poorly clothed to try to get sympathy (money) from the foreigners. These are nearly always professionals. If you give them something, remember that a small amount goes a long way. Beggars only make a few dollars a day. Once you give something, you will attract others.

Antiques Antiques may be purchased only in licensed shops. Chinese government authorities generally have restricted the sale of items older than 120 years. They regulate what is purchased by marking items with a special red or brown hard wax seal requiring a special, customs declaration form to be issued at the time of purchase.

Caution: Old artifacts are often offered for sale at urban “free markets.” Should you purchase a genuine antique at one of these markets, it maybe confiscated by Chinese customs officials. You will experience considerable embarrassment in addition to the loss of your purchase.

Bargains You can get “Shanghaied” in Shanghai. Be careful of helpful people in Shanghai. There are a lot of scams and it is best to avoid being taken to a shop that is off the beaten path, or go to the home of someone you do not know.

You can bargain in tourist stores. If you are not sure about the appropriateness of bargaining in a particular situation, ask one of the conference team leaders or just try bargaining to see what happens.

ç


25

Bargaining The worst purchases are usually made within the first 48 hours of entering a country. Get into the rhythm of China. Know the lay of the land before making any major purchases. Buy more of the gifts toward the end of the trip rather than the beginning. Earlier purchases become less of a bargain by the end of the week.

For those who do not speak Chinese, a helpful way to bargain is taking a small calculator with you. The amount you type in it will indicate how much you pay.

Bargaining is like playing poker. The merchant will try to read your intention in your face. Don’t open your hand and have him take what he needs. Watch and see what a local pays. Ask a local how much something costs. Merchants will often ask how much you will pay. Do not say at first. When the merchant says a price, repeat it and laugh or repeat it and ask, “How much is it really?” If he absolutely will not offer you a price, you can offer him a throw away bid (a bid so small that you can get a laugh). The merchant will either agree or start lecturing you about the great quality of his item. Whenever you hear the term “just a little bit more,” it means that you have met his price and he is just trying to squeeze you a little more. Hold firm and it will be yours.

The best time to bargain is near closing time when there are no other customers around. Time is a factor that is in your favor. Once you leave you will not be coming back, the merchant will have lost you forever. Sometimes it is helpful to have a friend next to you saying that you have to go, thereby putting additional time pressure on the merchant to lower his price.

Multiple purchases make it easier to lower a price. “What is the price if I buy six?”

Don’t take your money out while bargaining. Nothing will halt the bargaining process faster than to have a merchant see a wad of 100 yuan notes. After a deal is completed, the merchant will say he is losing money. Try handing the item back for your money and their tune will quickly change.

Bargaining is a game. If you play, you want to play on your terms, never care too much! There is always something else to buy in Shanghai.

Sales Tax There is no sales tax in China.

Disputes These may arise. For example, a US$1,000 jade piece may be appraised for only US$200 by your local jeweler in the U.S. It could be that the store overcharged you. It could also be that your local jeweler does not recognize the value of the jade piece, given the many varieties of jade available in China.


26

When in doubt, it is best not to buy. If you plan to “serious” shop, check with your credit card issuer before you go. They may provide some help in carefully documented disputes.

Shipping large purchases Tote bags are nice during the trip and normally used to carry home souvenirs. However, should you purchase large items, the outlet where you make such purchases will provide reliable packing and shipping to your hometown at an additional charge. You should request door-to-door shipment. In many cases, due to freight consolidation, air shipment is cheaper than surface shipment; remember to inquire about these rates at the time of purchase.

Also, keep in mind that you will be liable for U.S. customs duties, prevailing state user taxes, bonding, customs broker fees, trucking charges, etc. that may total well over US$200. It will take six to twelve weeks for your shipment to reach you. A U.S.-based shipping/delivery company will notify you when your shipment arrives in the U.S. If in doubt about shipping procedures, or concern about a late delivery, contact the store where you placed your order, remembering to include the invoice number.

Shanghai shopping guide

Souvenirs Cloisonné enamel, carved ivory, jade ware, and carved lacquer ware are considered the four most famous souvenirs of China. Cloisonné (enamel formed in patterns of copper wire) is an art from developed in the 15th century, and now used to decorate vases, bowls, lamps, jewelry and ornaments. The Chinese regard jade as a stone from heaven. The wonderful jade ware created by Chinese craftsmen is greatly valued. Lacquer ware consists of up to 500 coats of lacquer applied to a copper base and carved with a design.

Besides these four items, Shanghai attracts unique buyers from around the world. In addition, porcelain, silk painting and calligraphy scrolls and handicrafts are also good souvenirs for foreign visitors.

Major Shopping Districts Nanjing Street runs East and West and is a main thoroughfare.


27

About Shanghai Shanghai is a rich cosmopolitan city with a history in twined with the West. Starting in the 1840s, Shanghai served a key location and concession port where Westerners came to find new suppliers, cheap labor, set up factories and open new markets. So, what has changed in 160 years?

In Shanghai, Western trade, factories, the Opium Wars and resulting concessions, invasion by Japan have all contributed to the Chinese experience of the West and fostered their desires for cultural isolation. These experiences have shaped Chinese views of the world that still have strong influences today.

Today, Shanghai is a unique mix of Western and Eastern culture. You see it in the architecture and in the food and in the sophistication of the city. Streets named for cities run East and West. Streets named for provinces run North and South.

In Shanghai, you’ll find Old Town. This district was the original Chinese area during Western and Japanese occupation. Today, it is an excellent place to find souvenirs and see traditional style architecture and the best baozi (steamed dumplings) in the world.

Recommended reading World-City Map of Shanghai (American Map Corp.) Langenscheidt publishers. $9.95 at Powell’s Bookstore in Portland (and on-line).

Fold-out map of Shanghai, with just the right amount of detail. Graphics and color allow for ease of use, without flooding you with information. Sturdy construction. Our hotel is J-5 on the grid.

Confucius Lives Next Door by T.R. Reid, 1999 Random House. ISBN 0697-45624-4. Available from Powell’s, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

This is a non-fiction book about living in Japan, form the perspective of a Westerner. It does a remarkable job of explaining Confucianism, and thus the culture of the East. The Asian way of life will make more sense after reading this book. 250 pages written in first person.

Recommended web sites (These are listed in order of usefulness to the first-time visitor.)

Third China-American Conference

www.asqcsd.org/china :


28

This site contains all the latest and greatest information about the conference.

Hua Ting Hotel in Shanghai

www.HuaTing.com

Here you will find pictures and maps of our home away from home.

Travel Site

www.Travel-Connection.info

Great source for travel related information and links to other useful sites.

Chinese Government “Official” Site

www.china.org.cn

This is a place for information on all of China and not just Shanghai.

Chinese Culture

A good web resource is www.Chineseculture.miningco.com/culture/chineseculture/

China art, customs, festivals, language, shopping, and travel are all in this site. It is part of the About.com network, which was formerly The Mining Company. It links to a neat little page to show your first name written in Chinese characters.

China Embassy

www.china-embassy.org/eng/index.html

Here is a place to go for “official” information on China-US relations, Visas, and trade matters. It also has general information about the country.

China Enterprise Confederation www.cec-ceda.org.cn/w1b/English.htm

China Fed. of Indus. Economics www.cfie.org.cn/english/cfie1.htm

US-China Business Council www.uschina.org/

These are some business-related sites, for those wishing to explore further into trade relations.

China Yellow Pages www.chinabig/com/en/srch/

China News Digest www.cnd.org:8024/

These two sites are quite commercial–some would say even busy. You can download a Chinese calendar in .pdf from China News Digest.

I M P O R T A N T D A T E S

29

Important Dates to Remember We’ve included a lot of information in this little book. Here’s a summary of the dates to remember.

March Bios, abstracts and slides due (Speakers only) March 30

May Deposits due May 30

June Last day to request business cards June 07 Request seat assignments June 10

July Mail air tickets July 28

August All fees due August 01 Air tickets in hand August 31

September Depart USA September 03 Arrive in China September 04 Depart China September 10 Arrive in USA September 10

Chapter

4

Documents

China Travel Manual - ASQasq.org › cs › conferences › china › Travel_Manual_Shanghai.pdf · China Travel Manual China-America Quality Conference Tom Scroggin, Co-Chair