What is guanxi?

Quoting from [mapleleaf13]:

What is guanxi?

I think there is an article in the Trade Essentials section talkking about this topic. Why don;t you have a look?

it mean relationship .

 it can make things more easier , and make you make money more easier ,and make black to white.

Quoting from [mapleleaf13]:

What is guanxi?

means relationship,in china reltionship it's quite import,if you have "guanxi"with somebody,you can do everything quite easily.

Quoting from [qingdao China]:

it mean relationship .

 it can make things more easier , and make you make money more easier ,and make black to white.

Is guanxi only appilicable to china, or other countries?  if it means relationship then it should be important in every culture not just asia?  Yes?

as you know government control everything in CHINA ,but in other countries , private control everything , so guanxi in CHINA is more useful.

Quoting from [qingdao China]:

as you know government control everything in CHINA ,but in other countries , private control everything , so guanxi in CHINA is more useful.

wait..so guanxi is using influence in a official capacity?  Not sure if that is accepted in some countries -but interesting to know..

The official definition of Guanxi is relationship. That's it!


Yes, you can have relationships both with the public sector and private sector. In an extreme sense, you can even interprate it like calling somebody a "Good Fella" from the movie Good Fellas. But Guanxi does not necessarily have an under the table meaning.


First, I think it's important to understand that in China the credit system is still developing. It's not like some other countries where you just wave a credit card. If you have a good relationship with somebody, it will help in establishing credit.


Also one needs to understand that unlike foreign countries, the government is more hands on with business in China (taxes, labor issues, intellectual property, etc). They have so much power that they can cause trouble even if you are doing everyhing by the book. A relationship with the government will help you have the government be more hands off or help you resolve things when you have problems. Since the legal system in China is still developing, Guanxi can play a critical role in how you live and do business in China.


That's my insight...

It means building a good relationship with Chinese suppliers so it doesn't hurt as much when they shaft you

Quoting from [edjjhsu]:


The official definition of Guanxi is relationship. That's it!



Yes, you can have relationships both with the public sector and private sector. In an extreme sense, you can even interprate it like calling somebody a "Good Fella" from the movie Good Fellas. But Guanxi does not necessarily have an under the table meaning.



First, I think it's important to understand that in China the credit system is still developing. It's not like some other countries where you just wave a credit card. If you have a good relationship with somebody, it will help in establishing credit.



Also one needs to understand that unlike foreign countries, the government is more hands on with business in China (taxes, labor issues, intellectual property, etc). They have so much power that they can cause trouble even if you are doing everyhing by the book. A relationship with the government will help you have the government be more hands off or help you resolve things when you have problems. Since the legal system in China is still developing, Guanxi can play a critical role in how you live and do business in China.



That's my insight...

You seem to know China better than I do.  Yes, bascallly  what you said is correct.

Quoting from [Leebizchina]:

Quoting from [edjjhsu]:



The official definition of Guanxi is relationship. That's it!




Yes, you can have relationships both with the public sector and private sector. In an extreme sense, you can even interprate it like calling somebody a "Good Fella" from the movie Good Fellas. But Guanxi does not necessarily have an under the table meaning.




First, I think it's important to understand that in China the credit system is still developing. It's not like some other countries where you just wave a credit card. If you have a good relationship with somebody, it will help in establishing credit.




Also one needs to understand that unlike foreign countries, the government is more hands on with business in China (taxes, labor issues, intellectual property, etc). They have so much power that they can cause trouble even if you are doing everyhing by the book. A relationship with the government will help you have the government be more hands off or help you resolve things when you have problems. Since the legal system in China is still developing, Guanxi can play a critical role in how you live and do business in China.




That's my insight...

You seem to know China better than I do.  Yes, bascallly  what you said is correct.

But it seems there is a fine line between guanxi/relationship and bribery/receiving special treatment becuase of who you know...is there any transparency at all for companies who may not know anybody influential but still have legitimate aspirations to dophonest business?  Is there fair competition in such a society?