Meeting Foreign Guests at the Airport

      An assimilated situation: Mr. Li Zhongguo, Director of the South-China Machinery Import and Export Corporation and Anny Wang, an interpreter are waiting at the airport for the arrival of Mr. Andrew Greene, Vice-President of IBM from Los Angeles.

Host A:    Excuse me, but aren’t you Mr. Greene from America?

Mr. Greene: Yes. I’m Andrew Greene. I’m from Los Angeles.

Host A:    How do you do, Mr. Greene? I’m Anny Wang, an interpreter from the South-China   Machinery  Import  and Export Corporation. May I introduce you to our Director, Mr.  Li Zhongguo?  This is Mr. Greene, Vice-President of IBM.

Host B:    Welcome to China, Mr. Greene. How do you do?

Mr. Greene: How do you do? It’s very kind of you to come and meet me at the airport, Mr. Li.

Host B:    You are welcome. How was the flight?

Mr. Greene: Pretty good, except a little bumping over the Pacific Ocean. It’s a fine day, isn’t it?

Host B:    Yes, isn’t it. But why are we all standing here? Let’s go to the waiting-hall and have

          some tea.

Mr. Greene: Oh, yes, that is a wonderful idea. Will it take long to get the entry formalities done?

Host B:    No, I don’t think it will take long. We can wait in the hall for our turn. This way,

          please.

Mr. Greene: Thank you.

Host :     Mr. Greene, do you have anything to declare?

Mr. Greene: No, I don’t think so. I have nothing but personal effects.

Host:      (knowing Mr.Greene has the entry formalities done) Is this all your luggage? Let me

          help you. The car is waiting for us outside. 

Mr. Greene: Oh, thank you. I don’t like a lot of luggage with me. It’s got to be the first stop of my

          business tour in China. Besides, I like shopping anywhere I go.

Host:      Then, you’ll have lots of very good places waiting to squeeze your money out, if you  like. Now let’s go to the hotel, the Shangri-La.

 

 

 

At Shangri-La Hotel

The assimilated situation: Ms Wang and Mr. Greene arrive at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Host (Ms.Wang): Here we are. The hotel is one of the best in the city.  I’ve reserved a single room for you. Now Mr.Greene, I’d like to know if you have any preference for the room, before checking in .Then I’ll tell the receptionist for a change.

Mr.Greene: Well, I’d like a room with a good view of the city, if it were not too much trouble for   you. I’ve noticed on the way here that there are so many new buildings. I’m the person who likes seeing changes.

Host:      You are lucky enough. You’ll have the room 1218, which faces the main avenue of   the city. By the way, any number that begins or ends with an eight is considered a  lucky one in China. Now, would you please fill out the form, before we take the lift   over there?

Mr.Greene: (looking at the room) Oh, terrific! What a spacious room! I like it.

Host:      I’m glad you like the room. Oh, this is the high speed Internet access, which will be  necessary for you. What’s  more, the hotel offers 24-hour room service. Just tell them  whenever you need one. Next, I’d like to discuss with you the itinerary , if you don’t mind.

Mr.Greene: No. Just go ahead.

Host: (handing over a copy to Mr.Greene) the itinerary is only a tentative one. Please feel free to  make changes wherever you think it necessary. Now, let’s go over it first.

Mr.Greene: Okay.

Host:      Let’s say, you’re going to stay in our city for five days. We have here a light schedule   for today and tomorrow, since you need a day or two to get over the jetlag. Nothing is  fixed for this afternoon. You could either stay in the hotel for a good rest, or to have a  tour-around in the neighborhood? If you want a tour-around, I’d be very glad to be  your guide.

Mr. Greene: Oh. Thank you very much. I’d like to go out, to see the changes. Each time I come to  China, I can always find something new and different. The changes are so exciting  and encouraging that they may mean more to businesses.

Host:      You’re right. As for this evening, a dinner party will be given in honor of you.  Director Li will host the dinner, some other VIPs in business circles will also be there.

Mr. Greene: I’ll be very pleased to meet Mr. Li and other people.

Host:     The dinner will start at 6:30. I’ll come over for you, let’s say, 6:00 this evening. Is the   time convenient for you?

Mr. Greene: Yes, it’s okay.

Host:      Good! Next, let’s come to the arrangement for tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, we

          will be on a tour, partly for sightseeing and partly for visit, to the city’s Industrial

          & Hi-tech Development Zone. We’re going to visit the Sino-French Car

          Manufacturing Factory, and Motorola China (limited) which produces extra parts for

          mobile phones. After that, we’ll do some sightseeing. There is a Forest Park nearby,

          with beautiful views, especially at this of the year. We’ll have lunch there, then back

          to the hotel. No arrangement for tomorrow afternoon.

Mr.Greene: That’ll be wonderful! I just can’t wait for tomorrow. By the way, I still need some

          time to do paper work for the talks and contract.

Host:      Well, for tomorrow evening, we’d like to take you to a Fashion Show, if you feel

          interested. Actually, many designers and brands home and abroad will exhibit their

          latest collections of this season.  

Mr.Greene: That’ll be fabulous！ I’d really like to see the changes in other sectors in the city.

Host:     Well, so much for the light part of the itinerary. Let me see, today is Sunday. The talks  are scheduled to be on Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ll have to work hard for the   details of a new contract. I hope that we can sign the contract before you leave on   Thursday evening for Guangzhou, your next stop of the China’s business tour this   time.

Mr. Greene: I hope so, too. This is a great itinerary, you’ve done a good job.

Host:      Thank you. Well, there is a currency exchange desk on the first floor, and if you have  anything else important to do in the city,  Please don’t hesitate to tell us. We want   to be helpful. Then see you!

 

Inviting Guests to a Dinner Party or a Banquet

The assimilated situation: It’s at one of the city’s best restaurant. Mr.Li is hosting the dinner. He and Mr. Greene are to make remarks respectively, before the dinner starts.

Mr. Li: Dear Mr.Greene and my dear colleagues:

           We are very happy to have Mr.Greene here with  us tonight. Confucius once said, “what a joy it is to have friends coming from afar!” Mr.Greene is an old friend of ours, having come from the other side of the earth, so our joy tonight is   beyond expression.Mr.Greene is a pioneer in the US trade with China. He was among the first American  businessmen who came to China right after the implementation of Deng’s policy of  opening to the utside world in the late 70s in the last century. Since then, we’ve signed  16 contracts with IBM. Though there have been ups and downs in the trade volume,  we’ve developed a mutually beneficial and therefore very solid relationship. And we are  very proud of this. As our present contract is expiring next month, we’re very pleased to  have you here to work with us on a new contract. I firmly believe that through our mutual  efforts, the new contract will further strengthen the ties between our two companies and  benefit both sides.  Our negotiation will begin the day after tomorrow. I’d like to take this opportunity to  propose a toast to the success of the negotiation, and to the further cooperation between  our two companies. Bottoms up! (All the guests stand up.)

Mr. Greene: Dear Mr. Li, friends and colleagues:

          Thank you very much, Mr. Li, for all the good things you said about me and IBM.  Doing business with your company is one of the most enjoyable experiences in my  life. Some twenty years ago, I was told that the most trustworthy people in the world   are Chinese. So I came to China.  Now, I find you are not only trustworthy, but also full of new ideas. You are willing to  explore every possibility for new business. So, I already regret that during this visit , we have only one new contract to work on. Why not more? I’m serious. I’m really   excited at the new opportunities your economic reform has offered us. Like you, we’ll  explore every new possibility to expand our relationship and contribute more to your modernization drive. Now, may I propose a toast. Here is to the success of our negotiation, to thecontinuation of our friendship, and to the success of your great reform. Cheers! (All the guests stand up.)

 

 

For Hosts

1   Is this your first trip to our city (or country)? How is your flight (or trip)?

2   Welcome to China, Mr. Greene! May I introduce to you Mr. Li Zhongguo, Director of the Corporation?

3   Do you have any preference for the (hotel) room and meals (esp. when the guest    has a  religious background)? The hotel provides 24-hour service.

4   There is an indoor pool, connected to a world class fitness center.

5   I would like to discuss the itinerary with you right now, if you don’t mind. It only takes a few minutes. The itinerary we drafted for you is tentative one. Please feel free to make changes wherever you feel necessary.

6   We’ll host a dinner in your honor at Shangri-La Hotel at 6:30 p.m. I’ll come for you at 6:10. Is the time convenient for you?

7   If you want to go sightseeing or have a tour around in the neighborhood this afternoon, I would be very glad to be your guide.

8   There is a street in the neighborhood with shops selling exclusively antiques, china vases and traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphic works. Do you want to have a look-around?

9   What would you like to drink? We have tea, coke, soda, yogurt and mineral water.

10 Usually, several courses of dishes are to be served. Chinese cuisine emphasizes the taste, the

    color and the presentation of the dishes. Desserts and fruits always come at last.

11 We hope that the new contract can be concluded before you leave for Shanghai, the next stop

    of your business tour this time.

12 Now please allow me to propose a toast, to the successful conclusion of the agreement ( or

    the completion of the joint project).

For Guests

 1    The flight was all right, thank you. This is my second time to come to China, but first  time to  the city.

 2    I’m the Marketing Manager of P&G in China. Here is my name card.

 3    I’d like a room with a good view of the lake. Does the hotel serve vegetarian food.

 4   Could we possibly get the satellite international TV channels?

 5   I’m at your proposal for everything this time. Anyway, I’d like a light schedule for today and tomorrow, also I need to do some paper work before the negotiation on Tuesday.

 6  A popular business magazine in your city wants to interview me on our business in China during my stay here, it is a good chance to publicize my corp. And yours, too. Would you please help me arrange the interview?

7   It’s been so nice taking me to the Fashion Show, it is such a spectacular event.

8   My wife and I like the China vases very much. Would I have trouble at the customs?

9   I’d like some more melon juice, as it tastes so good.

       I like the Mongolian Beef, very tender and tasty.

      The hot pot really works up my appetite. I like spicy food.

10  Thank you so much, I’ve enjoyed every dish of this wonderful dinner. I’m afraid that I     have to lose weight when go back home.

11  Thank you for your hospitality and the delicious food at such a wonderful night.

12   Now a toast to our friendship and more cooperation in the future. Cheers up!

 

 

A Visit to the Exhibition

     The assimilated situation: A lot of foreign businessmen, including Mr.Greene, an IT products importer from South Africa, are coming to the IT Products Exhibition held jointly by the major producers throughout the country, including TCL Corp. Mr.Greene is now at the booth with the TCL products on display.   

Greene :  Excuse me. May I ask some questions about this new kind of computer?

Salesman: Of course. You’re welcome to ask anything about our products.

Greene:  Will you introduce the advantages of your computers to me?

Salesman: All right. Our new Desktop ZY Series provides small and medium business users an  affordable, feature-rich desktop for their business essentials. It is the most reliable and internet-ready PC ever.

Greene:  How about the price?

Salesman: It depends on the options you want for your computer. The prices vary from 7,880 to 12,880. I believe you will get better performance at a relatively lower cost to other  brands at the exhibition. This affordable solution will support powerful Intel Pentium III   processors for your most demanding tasks to fulfill your basic business computing need.

Greene:  Any other features of the Desktop ZY Series?

Salesman: Yes. It provides not only the usual parallel and serial ports but also the up-to-date USB  ports, which let you enjoy the extraordinary speed of data transfer from your CPU to  any peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, printer and scanner.

Greene:  Can I connect my digital camera to a USB PORT?

Salesman: Certainly for all recently made digital cameras. But even if your digital camera is an old one and doesn’t have a USB pin, you can still connect both with an adapter. You  will find the graphic data transfer is at least ten times faster.

Greene:  Thank you for your informative explanations.

Salesman: Ladies and gentlemen please get closer to the display counter and look at this sample  carefully. Do you notice anything missing for what we call a complete set of a desktop?

Greene:  Well, the keyboard seems to have been disconnected from the motherboard. I cannot see the cord between them.

Salesman: Right. This is another feature about this series. We’re introducing a new technology into the market. This keyboard is a cordless one and so is the mouse. Now let’s move to the next section of our exhibition----the notebook section.

Greene:  Would you give me a brochure of your company and a price catalogue?