Understanding the rationale driving Chinese business behaviors. Practical guidance for non-Chinese executives working with Chinese partners.
Talking politics over dinner in China
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Issue No. 1 · April 8, 2026 Doing Business in China: Is Talking Politics a Bonding Moment or a Landmine?Trump has confirmed his visit to China in May 2026. I’ve watched a lot of Western executives in moments like this, and watched their Chinese counterparts too. The two sides are almost living in different worlds. The Western exec’s instinct: this is a great conversation topic. There’s news, there’s common ground, let’s talk. Especially over dinner, when it feels like bringing up politics shows you care about China, that you’re paying attention. What’s actually happening on the other side of the table: they’re listening, they’re nodding, but their mind is somewhere else entirely. What’s the safest thing for me to say here? Not because they don’t trust you. But because they’re not sure this topic is appropriate for where your relationship currently stands. They don’t know if you’ve reached the point where real opinions can be shared. They don’t know if taking a position might create problems for them later. So every word they say has been filtered. You think you’re having a conversation. They’re doing risk management. The Western exec leaves dinner feeling like it went well. The Chinese counterpart goes home with a new impression: this person doesn’t quite understand how things work here. This isn’t a cultural difference issue. It’s a moment where you’re being evaluated without knowing it. |
The China Fluent Newsletter
Understanding the rationale driving Chinese business behaviors. Practical guidance for non-Chinese executives working with Chinese partners.
Issue No. 5 · May 19, 2026 In China, 10pm is still work hours I saw a headline this week about China's 996 work culture. For those unfamiliar, 996 refers to the practice of working 9am to 9pm, six days a week. It's been debated in China for years. But it reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a new friend from Russia. She asked me, genuinely curious: "Is it true that Chinese people work incredibly long hours? That some of them even sleep at the office?" I told her: yes, that...
Issue No. 4 · May 10, 2026 What “Whatever” Really Means in Chinese Business Communication One evening, my husband asked me where I wanted to eat dinner. I said "whatever you want." He picked a place. I made a face. He has learned, since then, that "whatever" does not mean whatever. It means: I have a preference, but I'm not going to tell you what it is. You're supposed to figure it out. One day he looked at me and said: you know, you sound exactly like the Chinese business partners I used to...
Issue No. 3 · April 21, 2026 In America You Can Talk to Anyone, In China You Need a Reason The first time I went hiking in the United States, something kept happening that I didn't expect. Every person walking toward me on the trail would look up, make eye contact, and say something. "Good morning." "Beautiful day." "How's it going?" Complete strangers. People I had never seen and would never see again. I said hello back. But inside, I was quietly noting something: this would almost never...