A business visa is recommended for travel to China. In most cases for a business visa you will need a letter of invitation from a Chinese company.

If you are going to be a regular visitor to China, it will pay to have a look

at getting an APEC Business Travel Card which provides accredited business people with streamlined access to participating APEC countries (including China). Go to www.dol.govt.nz to apply for the APEC card.

Benefits include:

• express immigration clearance through special APEC lanes on arrival and departure.
• no requirement to apply for visas or entry permits.
• multiple entry to participating countries for a stay of up to 90 days on each visit.

Information on this card and the application form is on the immigration website.

The types of business visa are:

• a three-month single entry visa valid from date of issue.
• double entry visa which is valid for two visits within three months of issue.
• six month multiple entry visa which is valid for six months after issue.
  

Visas are required to transit China to territories such as Tibet.

You should allow three weeks for business visas to be processed. The official 10 working days from receipt of application and invitation letter is getting very tight with the volume of applications.

For more information contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Wellington or the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland.

Consular Section, Embassy of the People's Republic of China
Address: 2-6 Glenmore Street,Wellington or
PO Box 17257, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: 04-472 1382
Fax: 04-474 9632
Email: visa@chinaembassy.org.nz

Consulate General of the People's Republic of China
Address: 588 Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland,
New Zealand or PO Box 17123, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: 09-525 1785
Fax: 09-525 0733

Visa application forms can also be obtained from the Chinese Embassy's website.

For travel advice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, visit the Safe Travel website.   

Compared with visits to Western markets, your time in China will be relatively cheap, though some costs in the major cities approach those you'd expect to pay in London or New York. This is particularly true for big ticket items such as accommodation and domestic air travel, while costs such as food, drink and taxis are lower.

Your major costs are likely to include:

• Airfares
  Air New Zealand flies direct between Auckland and Shanghai, and Auckland and Beijing.
• Accommodation
  Rates vary according to the time of the year and room availability. Prices for a good 4 star hotel in Guangzhou will typically start at about NZ$110 a night, in Beijing NZ$120 and Shanghai NZ$170. In second-tier cities, you can expect to pay from NZ$85 a night for a 4 star hotel. A service charge of 10-15 percent, including room and food, is charged at all 4 and 5 star hotels. For more information see the Asiarooms.com website. Be aware of when you travel as major events in China will have a huge impact on pricing. Events such as the Canton Fair in Guangzhou and the F1 motor racing in Shanghai can double and triple hotel costs, if you can manage to get a booking at all.
• Transport
• Domestic air travel is not expensive by New Zealand standards. For example, a return flight between Shanghai and Beijing can cost under NZ$500. Tickets are easy to get if booked well in advance. It is possible to book domestic travel from New Zealand. If booked in China it can be done from the China Travel Service desk at many major hotels. Domestic air tickets can be bought and or confirmed in the larger hotels. Chinaetravel.com has domestic flight prices.
• Taxis are cheap by New Zealand standards. Flag falls for taxis in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai range between 7 RMB in Guangzhou to up to 12 RMB in Shanghai. Rates per kilometre range from 2 RMB to 3.9 RMB. Getting from Beijing airport to the central city will typically cost NZ$15-$20; the 75 minute journey from Shanghai's Pudong International Airport to the city costs between NZ$27 and NZ$33; and the airport to city run in Guangzhou NZ$17-$20.
  
  Taxi costs are similar in second and third tier cities. If your meeting is not in the city centre, it's best to have the taxi wait and pay for example 50 RMB an hour. Taxis can be hired with the help of your hotel. Some drivers will still want to charge you a fixed fee which is often above the metered charge so it is recommended you always use the meter. Note: most taxis do not have rear seat belts in China.
• Metro - the underground Metros are cheap, fast alternatives to taxis in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. At the most a single journey will cost you about NZ$1.30.
• Buses - these are even cheaper than the Metros but it is not advisable to travel by bus if you want to arrive at a meeting on time and relaxed.
• Interpreters
  A qualified interpreter (as opposed to a student) will cost NZ$100-$200 a day. They are more expensive (and usually better) in the main cities. For more information on hiring and using interpreters see Using interpreters and translators. 
• Food
  The cost of eating out ranges from very cheap (less than NZ$5 per person for a meal in a basic restaurant, but little English will be spoken) through to prices you'd expect to pay in a top class restaurant in New Zealand. A Big Mac, medium fries and medium drink at a McDonald's in Beijing will set you back about NZ$3.30. 
  
  Beverage prices (approximate)
• small bottle of water: 2 RMB.
• small bottle of beer from corner shop: 2 RMB.
• draught pint of beer from a local bar: 10 RMB.
• bars targeting expats are more expensive: 25-60 RMB for a pint.
• Tips
  Most people never tip as a service fee is often included in the bill.  

Although China spans five time zones, there is only one standard time - Beijing Time. New Zealand therefore is four hours earlier than Beijing time, or five hours earlier during New Zealand daylight saving. There is no daylight saving in China. 

When planning your business trip to China, avoid arranging business meetings before, during and after Chinese festivals and public holidays. Many businesses close for festivals and holidays for up to two weeks. It's also very difficult to book transportation or accommodation during these times. Visiting China for business during public holidays or the weeks before and after public holidays is not recommended.

Major Chinese public holidays are:

• New Year's Day - 1 January (two-day holiday which can extend to 5 days).
• Spring Festival, ie Chinese New Year, the date varies from year to year, usually falling in late January or early/mid-February (one-day holiday). 
• May Day - 1 May (one-day holiday). 
• Dragon Boat Festival - early June. 
• Mid-Autumn Festival - mid-September. 
• National Day - 1 October (three-day holiday).

It is a common practice for government departments and private companies to “borrow” weekends to make two or three-day holidays into two-week long holidays.

Government offices are usually open Monday to Friday between 8am-9am, close for two hours around midday and then re-open until 5pm or 6pm. Private companies are usually open for longer. 

To get the most of your visit you need to be well prepared before you arrive so you can hit the ground running. Don't waste valuable time in China doing what you can do back in New Zealand.

Make sure as many of your meetings as possible are prearranged, you have addresses for the meetings and you have information on the people you are meeting with. It is also recommended that you reconfirm meetings a day in advance.

Get a map to the company or office you are visiting if at all possible. The minimum is the address written in Chinese characters for the driver.

There are organisations and consultants who can tailor a visit to China for you, including organising meetings with appropriate executives and officials. Contact New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for more information.

Generally speaking, Chinese people prefer to be formally introduced to someone new, preferably through a go-between,especially when making fi rst contact.

However, cold calling (for self introduction) is becoming more and more common. If you decide to make a cold call, it's useful to:

• first contact the company in writing - both in Chinese and English. 
• make contact by fax, which is more reliable than email.
• outline the reason for wanting to meet. 
• provide information about your company - include names and job titles of your staff (the Chinese will likely try and provide equally titled staff for the meeting). 
• get someone to call and check they have the information and to confirm the appointment.
• be flexible and don't be surprised if last minute changes take place or meetings are cancelled.

Even if you set up a meeting, there is always the chance that the person who has agreed to meet with you fails to show. This is often because their manager or a government official has instructed their presence at a conflicting event. So it is not meant as an insult, but regardless it can be both upsetting and frustrating.

Don't turn up on someone's door step unannounced and expect to get a meeting.

If you are visiting China for the first time, it can pay to acclimatise for a day or two to get a feel for the country before getting down to serious business. One good way to get insightinto the Chinese business mentality is to visit local markets and do some bargaining. 

There is excellent practical information and a snapshot of the market provided by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise's China staff in the China country brief.

Other sources of information to help with visits to China include:

• For tourist-type information

For more general advice on travel in China, visit:

• www.beijing.com
• www.chinaetravel.com
• www.chinatoday.com  

China is generally a very safe place to visit provided you take some sensible precautions. New Zealanders who have been to China suggest the following:

• Driving in China is not for the faint hearted. You'll need a Chinese driver's license to drive in China - an international driver's license is not enough. Motorists drive on the right-hand-side of the road. It's not difficult to hire a car with a driver and it is not too expensive.
• Be careful when crossing roads. Never assume you have the right of way. Crossing roads with the locals is a sensible thing to do. 
• When taking taxis, it's a good idea to provide your taxi driver with maps and details in Chinese characters - not just Pinyin (Chinese phonetics). 
• Try not to make yourself a crime target by visibly displaying wealth. Carry RMB in small denominations. 
• Be wary of unsolicited approaches from people in tourist areas inviting you to speak English with them over tea or to view local art. These are often scams. 
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone you trust at home and in China. It's a good idea to log in as a visitor with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. That way, if something goes wrong someone knows where you are. 
• Don't leave your bags unattended. 
• Keep your passport in a safe place. 
• Carry a Chinese phrase book.  

Police / fire / traffic accidents - dial 110

Ambulance - dial 120

New Zealand Embassy / Consulate General contact details:

New Zealand Embassy, Beijing
1 Ritan Dongerjie
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600
People's Republic of China
Telephone: 0086 - 10 - 6532 2731
Fax: 0086 - 10 - 6532 4317
Email: nzcg@nzcgsha.com.cn
Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700hrs

New Zealand Consulate General, Shanghai
Room 1605-1607A, The Centre
989 Chang Le Road
Shanghai 200031
People's Republic of China
Telephone: 0086 - 21 - 5407 5858
Fax: 0086 - 21 - 5407 5068
E-mail: nzcg@nzcgsha.com.cn
Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700hrs

New Zealand Consulate General, Guangzhou
Room C 1055, China Hotel Office Tower
Liuhua Road
Guangzhou 510015
People's Republic of China
Phone: +86 20 8667 0253
Fax: +86 20 8666 6420