China

Date: 9/24/2005

Subject: International Business Trip to Beijing, China,

Departure: October 1st

Return: November 30th

My company and I are heading on our trip to Beijing next Saturday. We'll be staying for two months, that should give us enough time to conduct business with our friends in China. The weather there wont be too different from how it is in the states, averaging 69*F in October and 52*F in November. Although it could get up to 84*F and 75*F and as low as 28*F and 10*F, not too much rainfall though, about a half inch or less.

I looked up some things we could look forward to participating in during our stay. It turns out that the first two days of our trip is National Day, also October 10th is "double 10 day" in commemoration of the 1911 Wuchang uprising. October is also celebrated by its lunar month, which is nine, on the ninth day (double nine day). Then number Nine falls in the category the word "yang" which means longevity. This day is celebrated in going to amusement parks by day, and watching wonderful fireworks displays by night. Also, November 12th is Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's birthday.

Aside from holiday fun, I planned a few site-seeing activities. Of course, the Great Wall Of China is a must. The wall stretches over six hundred kilometers across Beijing's border. Others include The Temple of Heaven (there lies the meeting point of Heaven and Earth), Tianamen Square (said to be the world's largest public square), Tiantan Park (there we can get a great look at Ming architecture), the Gardens of Summer Palace and Southeast Corner Watchtower, and finally, closer to our return home, a look at Jingshan or Beihei Parks (said to be a very relaxing place to catch a breath of fresh air).

Beijing is one of the top city for politics, economics, culture, and education, as well as being the center for international trade and communications. Most businessmen there speak English, however the national language is Mandarin, known to the Chinese as "Putanghua." On the subject of businessmen, I looked up a few things to ensure success on our trip as of how to present myself to our Chinese partners. I'll be wearing conservative suits with subtle or neutral colors. I was sure to bring my card case because if I'm handed a business card, it is rude and disrespectful