1. Cultural differences between West and China
West: 1. Western culture is based on individualism rather than on mass (collectivism). For instance, in the US, you always talk about individual rights, instead of placing the whole society above your own self. This is clearly different in China where a country, society or family are placed above your own self. 2. Western culture is adventurous and exploration based. Westerners like to discover new things, invention and expand outwards. For instance, bungee jumping is considered adventurous and common in western culture, but you will probably find no-one doing such a thing in China. 3. Western culture is based on science, which attempts to resolve people and nature's relationship. 4. West uses law to resolve people and people's relationship. You can never find 'law' well-established in China. For 2000 years, China is a land that's based on human relationship rather than law.  5. West uses 'god' and religion to resolve human and spiritualism relationship. In case of problems with your own self, you just pray to god. 6. A culture that expands and develop outwards.
*Resolve - to solve or end a problem or difficulty

2. Chinese Culture: 1. A culture based on masses (collectivism)
Chinese Culture: 1. A culture based on masses (collectivism). People placed country and family above your own self. 2. A culture that is based on humanism and people 3. To resolve the relationship betwen man and nature, the chinese attempts to fuse the human and 'heaven' as one. (天人和一) 4. To resolve people and people's relationship, chinese uses ethics and tolerance(中恕之道) 5. To resolve human and spiritualism, chinese emphasizes internal cultivation (修身养性) 6. A focus on balance and mean. By 'mean', it means 'middle way'. You don't go into extremism. Peace is always honoured. 7. Pay homage to heaven and earth, as well as bearing a remembrance to the homeland. (敬仰天地,思乡怀土) This was accorded to the fact that chinese had been a farming civilization and therefore will be more prone to remember their land. 8. A culture that expands internally rather than outwards.
*Fuse - to become joined

3. Business in China
Never underestimate the importance of existing connections. You need to be dealing with a Chinese person of influence. If that person feels you are trustworthy enough, and if they can get their network of contacts to trust you, there is a chance you will succeed. Asians want to do business with people they trust. But there is no real trust unless a person is in their circle. At first, they don’t know if you will be a good partner. Show respect by keeping some distance. Focus on building the relationship before talking business. Do not go for big profit on your first contract.
Never pressure your Asian colleagues for a decision. To speed up the decision process, slow down. Start from the beginning and work through to a solution in a logical, step-by-step fashion. Then stand your ground.
The negotiation process will be anything but smooth. Your best strategy is a walk away mentality. You have to go in trying not to make the deal. Explain your position in clear words. State your terms clearly. Respectfully. Then be prepared to walk away if your terms are not met.
Respect face. Never argue or voice a difference of opinion with anyone—even a member of your own team. Never make the other person wrong. Never say “no” directly, as that is considered rude and arrogant.
Account for the fact that most Asians understand less spoken English than we think they do. The easiest thing in the world is for a Chinese to say yes. Their smiles and nods have more to do with saving face than getting your meaning. Talk in short sentences. Listen more than you speak. Pause between sentences. Find four or five easy ways to say the same thing. Never ask a question that can be answered with a simple yes. Avoid all slang. Skip humour altogether.

4. Manage the way you present written information
Manage the way you present written information. Document everything in writing and in precise detail. Present your ideas in stages. Write clearly, using plain English text. In order to appeal to Asian visual bias, use sketches, charts and diagrams.
A lack of preparedness can cause loss of face and trust. Do not give or expect to receive partial answers from your Chinese colleagues, as that is considered offensive.
Make sure your facts are 100% accurate in every detail, or you will lose credibility. Do not present an idea or theory that has not been fully researched, proven, or studied beforehand. If you make a mistake, you are not to be trusted.
*Precise - exactly or sharply defined or stated
*Credibility - the quality of being believable or worthy of trust:

5. American business culture
In the US individuals in the workplace have a number of rights that are protected by American law. To some foreigners, the US system seems employee-centerd. Many businesses spend a great time and money to ensure they comply with basic laws regarding employee rights. The major topics in the US workplace are: discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, disabled workers, equal employment opportunities, safety at workplace, privacy rights and religious protection. Individuals have the same right to be employed in a workplace and they can't be discriminated.
When doing business in the US, know that for most procedures there are a set of rules and guidelines that your US business partners must follow.
This culture stresses individual initiative, rist taking and achievement. Americans can also be competitive in both work and leisure.
The concept "time is money" is taken seriously in the US business culture. Business people are making up their minds quickly and decisively. They value information that is straightforward and to the point.
Punctuality is very important for business occasions.
In general business people will not hesitate to answer "no". They are direct and will not hesitate to disagree with you.
When you meet someone for the first time, use his/her first name until you are told to do otherwise. In many cases, Americans will insist on using first names almost immediately - this is a cultural norm that reflects a more casual business style rather than a sign of intimacy.
For the first meeting you cannot go wrong if you dress conservatively. Afterwards, you may follow the example of your American colleagues.
Business suits and dresses are often the standard for women.
Gifts to business partners may be refused - considered a bribe. Business gifts are usually presented after the deal is closed. In most situations, gifts are unwrapped immediately and shown to all. Gifts for women such as perfume or clothing are usually inappropriate. The are considered too personal.

6. European Business Practices
Business dress is more formal
Demonstrating ones intelligence is considered a good trait. Prepare for the more heated discussions than in America.
Calling someone by their first name is considered too familiar for business interactions.
In Europe introductions are very important, and they follow the old rules of introducing the "less important" person to the more important one.
By admitting fault quickly when you've made an error, you immediately take the antagonism out of problem and everyone's focus turns to a solution rather than fault-finding. Passing along credit is even more effective than taking it for yourself. If a project goes well and you are congratulated, it is much more charming to say "Thank you, but the staff set it up beautifully" or "The programmers did all the work".
At European business lunches and dinners, strict table manners are required. For
instance, making noises while eating is considered very impolite.
In China, a clean plate is perceived to mean that you were not given enough food.
Leaving the food offering untouched will also give offense. Be polite; try a small
portion even if the food is unappealing

7. Dining and Entertaining
Handshakes
Handshakes are standard business greeting gestures throughout Europe. However, the European handshake is usually exchanged before and after every meeting, no matter how many meetings you've already had. European Handshakes are more formal and less buddy-buddy than those in the United States. In most European countries, handshakes are firm. An exception is France, where a lighter grasp is customary.
Dining and Entertaining
Europeans don't do business breakfasts. In France, Austria, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, and Spain, talking business over lunch is not a violation of etiquette. In the Czech Republic, Italy, and Greece, on the other hand, you do not talk business over lunch unless your host initiates it.
Dinner in Europe is usually reserved for social entertaining. Depending on the country, you may start dinner as early as 6:30 p.m. or as late as 11:00 p.m. Depending on the country your spouse may be invited.
Dining is taken seriously in most of Europe as an expression of generosity. In some countries, such as Italy and Greece, this generosity can reach stupefying levels; it can be virtually impossible to pick up a check in Italy and virtually impossible not to overeat or overdrink in Greece. But it's rude to refuse dinner invitations or any of the sumptuous items proffered to you at a dinner.
Here are some general dining rules:
1. In Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, be on time for dinner. Elsewhere, being fashionably late is acceptable.
2. No host gift is expected in Great Britain.