Letter from the Editor

As we look back at the China Business Review's (CBR) first year, we wonder what the US-China business community was concerned about in the summer of 1974. Articles from the July-August issue of the CBR show that companies were still learning the basics. The issue featured articles titled "How to Export to China," "Introduction to Exhibiting in China," "How to Open a Bank Account in China," "Health and Customs for Visitors to China," and a page on the American Industrial Report,a publication by the National Council for US-China Trade (as the CBR's publisher was then known), listing and explaining US products to potential Chinese buyers in Chinese.

In those days, Chinese buyers had little knowledge of American products, and the articles on exporting to China and exhibiting in China stress the importance of getting enough copies of company materials into the right hands. They also explain the delay that could occur when sending English-language materials. In one case, a US company that sent its materials to China did not receive a reply for a year, even though the Chinese recipient was interested and set its translators to work on the materials as soon as they were received.

The July-August 1974 issue also reported on the first Annual Meeting of the National Council for US-China Trade. Giving testament to the excitement surrounding, and importance of, these first connections between modern China and the United States, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger delivered the keynote address, and the National Council received congratulatory letters from its counterpart in China, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, as well as from several prominent members of Congress.

Foreshadowing the ability of Chinese manufacturers to churn out items suitable for nearly every market on earth, "How China is Adapting to the Japanese Market" described how Chinese manufacturers changed food packaging, sold bicycles under Japanese brand names, and changed textile manufacturing processes to meet the specifications of their Japanese customers.

On a lighter note, the CBR's "world sports reporter filed this colorful report":

"Skinned knees and elbows dripped foreign blood on Chinese soil one Sunday during the Spring Canton Fair as a team of beefy German businessmen defeated a spirited British club 2 to 0 at soccer on Canton's Provincial People's Football Ground...."

"...The game was played...with a Shanghai-made Lion brand ball, which to the satisfaction of the China Light Industrial Products Corporation, retained its shape and bounce throughout the game. That was more than could be said for the players themselves."

The article had no byline, but one wonders whether it was written by the same person who wrote rather colorfully about prices at the Spring Canton Fair: Clark T. Randt, Jr., who joined the National Council's delegation to the fair that year and later served as US Ambassador to China under President George W. Bush.

Speaking of colorful coverage, we at the CBR would like to know whether, after 35 years, the magazine is still fulfilling our readers' needs for insightful coverage of China business developments. Please take a moment to complete the survey and submit it by e-mail (jmarth@uschina.org), fax (202-833-9027), or mail (The China Business Review, 1818 N St. NW, Ste. 200, Washington, DC 20036). Of course, we love to hear from our readers on any topic; please write to me at vhulme@uschina.org.

Virginia Hulme

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	Print Article Letter from the Editor As we look back at the China Business Review's (CBR) first year, we wonder what the US-China business community was concerned about in the summer of 1974. Articles from the July-August issue of the CBR show that companies were still learning the basics. The issue featured articles titled "How to Export to China," "Introduction to Exhibiting in China," "How to Open a Bank Account in China," "Health and Customs for Visitors to China," and a page on the American Industrial Report,a publication by the National Council for US-China Trade (as the CBR's publisher was then known), listing and explaining US products to potential Chinese buyers in Chinese. In those days, Chinese buyers had little knowledge of American products, and the articles on exporting to China and exhibiting in China stress the importance of getting enough copies of company materials into the right hands. They also explain the delay that could occur when sending English-language materials. In one case, a US company that sent its materials to China did not receive a reply for a year, even though the Chinese recipient was interested and set its translators to work on the materials as soon as they were received. The July-August 1974 issue also reported on the first Annual Meeting of the National Council for US-China Trade. Giving testament to the excitement surrounding, and importance of, these first connections between modern China and the United States, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger delivered the keynote address, and the National Council received congratulatory letters from its counterpart in China, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, as well as from several prominent members of Congress. Foreshadowing the ability of Chinese manufacturers to churn out items suitable for nearly every market on earth, "How China is Adapting to the Japanese Market" described how Chinese manufacturers changed food packaging, sold bicycles under Japanese brand names, and changed textile manufacturing processes to meet the specifications of their Japanese customers. On a lighter note, the CBR's "world sports reporter filed this colorful report": "Skinned knees and elbows dripped foreign blood on Chinese soil one Sunday during the Spring Canton Fair as a team of beefy German businessmen defeated a spirited British club 2 to 0 at soccer on Canton's Provincial People's Football Ground...." "...The game was played...with a Shanghai-made Lion brand ball, which to the satisfaction of the China Light Industrial Products Corporation, retained its shape and bounce throughout the game. That was more than could be said for the players themselves." The article had no byline, but one wonders whether it was written by the same person who wrote rather colorfully about prices at the Spring Canton Fair: Clark T. Randt, Jr., who joined the National Council's delegation to the fair that year and later served as US Ambassador to China under President George W. Bush. Speaking of colorful coverage, we at the CBR would like to know whether, after 35 years, the magazine is still fulfilling our readers' needs for insightful coverage of China business developments. Please take a moment to complete the survey and submit it by e-mail (jmarth@uschina.org), fax (202-833-9027), or mail (The China Business Review, 1818 N St. NW, Ste. 200, Washington, DC 20036). Of course, we love to hear from our readers on any topic; please write to me at vhulme@uschina.org. Virginia Hulme Further Reading Letter from the Editor--January/February 2009: Anniversaries Letter from the Editor--March/April 2009 Letter from the Editor--May/June 2009 Copyright 2009 US-China Business Council Top of Page Table of Contents
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