Friday, April 25, 2008
真自由
21岁是法定成人年龄。可以投票，可以不受他人监管。法律上是自由人。然而，什么是自由？
有人说：“Freedom is the ability to make decisions wisely and living up to its consequences...
英语里面还有一个字：Liberty。（中文勉强翻译作自由权）。什么是Freedom？什么是Liberty？
Freedom是你每一天都感受到的，你可以吃汉堡包或叉烧包，你可以喝可乐或咖啡。If you have to live to its consequences..., 吃汉堡包你可能吃胖啦，喝咖啡你可能睡不着。（其实，这不是Freedom，这只是选择）
当然，我们不能光考量后果，我们经常有前提要考虑：安全吗？亲人会同意吗？你有钱或有能力做吗？（这还是选择，不是Freedom，你还要考虑客观情况）
除了后果与前提外，你可能还要考虑你的权利，你没有这个权利，就没有这个选择。我不是这个团体的成员，就无权处理这团体的家事。（这就上了一层，到选择权）
以上所说的，都是人外在的选择。
人内心的选择就更复杂。我可以选择去中国或美国去旅游，这是选择。我可以选择外出或不外出，这就是Freedom. Freedom is the right to do or not to do, if you do not have the right “not to do”, then you are not free。 请留意，人在很多时候，是不能作“not to do”的。因为他受很多原因，思考给约束啦。We feel sad on people that has Drug / Sex / Gambling / Net addiction, this is because they are bound.
Gal 5:1 基督釋放了我們、叫我們得以自由、所以要站立得穩、不要再被奴僕的軛挾制。
基督里的自由，又是什么意思？
人的很多行为/选择，其实是很受他们的背景影响的。你喜欢F4，我喜欢邓丽君。你喜欢旅游，我喜欢看书。这当中好像很相对，没有客观，各人只要live up to these consequences就好啦。我喜欢吸毒，我个人会live up to these consequences。这可以吗？足够吗？我们要保障这种Freedom吗？
人有没有真正的自由？不受你的背景，历史，学养，Addiction，影响而存在的自由？
- 说实在的，真的没有！每个人都收他的背景，历史，学养，Addiction，而影响他的选择/决定。
人的背景，历史，学养，Addiction，慢慢形成了他的价值观，世界观，人生观。
John 8:32 你們必曉得真理、真理必叫你們得以自由。
一种建立在基督教真理的价值观，世界观，人生观，必叫你們得以自由。
John 8:36 所以天父的兒子若叫你們自由、你們就真自由了。
唯有上帝是真自由的，由他的真理所建立的自由，必是真自由。
2Co 3:17 主的靈在那裡、那裡就得以自由。
有人说：“Freedom is the ability to make decisions wisely and living up to its consequences...
英语里面还有一个字：Liberty。（中文勉强翻译作自由权）。什么是Freedom？什么是Liberty？
Freedom是你每一天都感受到的，你可以吃汉堡包或叉烧包，你可以喝可乐或咖啡。If you have to live to its consequences..., 吃汉堡包你可能吃胖啦，喝咖啡你可能睡不着。（其实，这不是Freedom，这只是选择）
当然，我们不能光考量后果，我们经常有前提要考虑：安全吗？亲人会同意吗？你有钱或有能力做吗？（这还是选择，不是Freedom，你还要考虑客观情况）
除了后果与前提外，你可能还要考虑你的权利，你没有这个权利，就没有这个选择。我不是这个团体的成员，就无权处理这团体的家事。（这就上了一层，到选择权）
以上所说的，都是人外在的选择。
人内心的选择就更复杂。我可以选择去中国或美国去旅游，这是选择。我可以选择外出或不外出，这就是Freedom. Freedom is the right to do or not to do, if you do not have the right “not to do”, then you are not free。 请留意，人在很多时候，是不能作“not to do”的。因为他受很多原因，思考给约束啦。We feel sad on people that has Drug / Sex / Gambling / Net addiction, this is because they are bound.
Gal 5:1 基督釋放了我們、叫我們得以自由、所以要站立得穩、不要再被奴僕的軛挾制。
基督里的自由，又是什么意思？
人的很多行为/选择，其实是很受他们的背景影响的。你喜欢F4，我喜欢邓丽君。你喜欢旅游，我喜欢看书。这当中好像很相对，没有客观，各人只要live up to these consequences就好啦。我喜欢吸毒，我个人会live up to these consequences。这可以吗？足够吗？我们要保障这种Freedom吗？
人有没有真正的自由？不受你的背景，历史，学养，Addiction，影响而存在的自由？
- 说实在的，真的没有！每个人都收他的背景，历史，学养，Addiction，而影响他的选择/决定。
人的背景，历史，学养，Addiction，慢慢形成了他的价值观，世界观，人生观。
John 8:32 你們必曉得真理、真理必叫你們得以自由。
一种建立在基督教真理的价值观，世界观，人生观，必叫你們得以自由。
John 8:36 所以天父的兒子若叫你們自由、你們就真自由了。
唯有上帝是真自由的，由他的真理所建立的自由，必是真自由。
2Co 3:17 主的靈在那裡、那裡就得以自由。
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
大日子 - 我的生日
2月3日是我的生日，四十九啦，下一次就是五十了，马上就要知天命！！值得在最后的一个四字头纪念一下。
四十在圣经中有一个很特殊的意义：
洪水倾倒大地四十日夜。
犹太人在旷野漂流了四十年。
摩西在西奈山四十天等候神的戒命。
耶稣在旷野四十天受魔鬼的试探。
耶稣复活后有四十天与门徒在一起。
孔子也说四十不惑。
四十是一个周期，是一个段落。是一个反省，回顾，定位的时刻。
孔子很对，人到了四十岁，真的不可以再受世间的迷惑啦。什么是对，什么是错，自己的一套，根基在那？
四十年了，是否生活在忙碌中？有空给自己定位吗？
剩下的四十年（幸运的话），怎样走下去？要得到什么？要留下什么？要联结什么？
洪水毁灭一切。
旷野四十年是更新（等到老的一辈完全去世）。
摩西的四十天是受培训（接受十戒）。
耶稣的四十天是准备。
复活后的四十天是见证。
孔子说的四十是不再走歪途啦。
要为自己立下最后的目标，在人生观，价值观，世界观上，建立自己。
雅各書 1:5 你們中間若有缺少智慧的、應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的 神、主就必賜給他。
Amen!!
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Where are you?????
一切都是那么平常。
时间还是早上9点30分左右。
天气如常晴朗。
心情一贯的轻松。
步伐继续的轻快。
如常地：
我跑在前头，它跟在尾后。
我在伸腰，拉腿；它在挖地，嗅土。
就在我不为意的一刻，它失踪啦！！！
在前面？在后头？
赶上前去，转过50米前的路弯，不在。
追回后头，没有！！
糟糕啦！痛心，歉意涌上心头。
急电太太，无人接听。天啊！
再追前一点，希望它会跑回来！
一样的路境，一样的冷清。
步伐再快一点，路弯的尽头，尽头的路弯，绕过街头一整圈，回到原点。
没有啊，它不可能过马路的。
是掉到沟渠里吗？是给人带走呢？还是给偷啦？
我担心，恐怕再看不到它了。
再电太太，通了。
听筒传过来的，是焦虑的哭声。
歉意更浓，忧心更重。
再找，再跑，再唤，你在那里？？
太太开车兜圈找，儿子也放下功课陪着找。
两国小时过去了，跑得累啦，终归也得回家。
就在大楼入口处，怀着最后的希望等待 - 小狗不是会自动回家的吗？
小休之后，还能做什么？决定贴街招。
黄昏，是动物出动的时间，出去再找。
晚上，修好单车，再出动，去远一点，再找。
一周过去啦，它是在兴华街西，德贞学校门外失踪的。
德贞学校有录像，应该会有记录。
通过警方，重看录像。确实看到它失踪前的一刻。
原来是一史立沙经过，它马上跟了上去，最后消失在录像里。
啊！史立沙的主人阿！请告诉我，它跟你到那里去啦？
你有丢弃他吗？你有收留它，与你的史立沙为伴吗？
两个星期过去了，还是没有它的消息。(3 Nov. 2007)
我在想你啊 – Coffee !
Monday, January 15, 2007
screen printing ink business
I am now gear up with Screen Printing ink business
Screen Printing Ink Market Analysis in China
· To identify the market potential - How big and where is the market?
· China screen ink market is huge and diversified, yet there is no real dominating brand yet
· Most of the key distributors has already represented 1 or more ink brand
· Technical, financial and logistic support is the key element for successful sales, be it from the supplier or the distributors
· Market intelligence is very crucial for success - to identify the market gap and technical needed, i.e.
Ø Environmental issue and hazardous concern is getting straight and tough in future
Ø Production speed and better print performance is what customer strive for today
Ø Industrial development in China is at an unprecedented rate of growth, demand on suitable product, expertise service is immanent
• Proper corporate systems & logistic which deliver all of these requirement to the customers in the most effective and efficient way
• the right mix of account management skills, technical expertise
Market opportunity:
Ø Technical ink market – good adhesion, good mechanical resistant, good chemical resistant
Ø Industrial ink market – electronic industry, High demanding decorative industry, Digital industry
Suggested business plan:
• Commitment toward China market
• To understand today screen printing ink market situation in China
• Identify the business gap and prepare to follow the rule of the game
• Increase the market intelligent activities
• Build up local manufacturing plant, to explore the local raw material sourcing advantagePossible acquisition or joint venture
Monday, August 28, 2006
基督教信仰 - 1，2，3
从争吵说起：
如果人人都是你这样，你看会变成如何？
这是我先用/玩的！你要等一下！
是你先动手/骂人的。
你承诺过的，又没有兑现。
争吵的背后可有一个标准呢？？
争吵是否要说明对方的不是？
那什么是标准？
它不是随时间，文化，地方，对事物的了解而改变的。
道德的标准，在不同的环境，时间，原来是瞒接近的。
我们都不喜欢欺骗。
我们都不喜欢出卖人。
我们都不喜欢人自私。
我们都喜欢忠诚。
我们都喜欢公平。
道德标准的真相：
它不是来自本能（如有人掉下水：救人- 是合群的本能，不救人- 是逃避危险的本能）救与不救会受道德律影响。
本能和道德律 就像 -琴键和琴谱
它不是来自教育（不是人想出来的，它也有自然的比较性的 – 知好与更好）
认知和信念的进步不是=道德的进步（不处死女巫 = 不安装捕鼠机，不是道德在进步）
它是客观存在的（就像：人为何不可以自私？正当行为有何好处？踢足球有什么意义？）
它是符合理性的（人要在坦诚，公平，友善，安全的环境才会努力工作的）
道德标准的背后：
它是一种力量，（支配 / 引导 / 要求着人，促人走正路，犯错时会让人感到不安。）
它是有意志的。
它的源头就是来自至善者（上帝） – 公平，无私，勇敢，良善，诚实，忠心。
它反对贪婪，欺骗，剥削。
可是人却在破坏它，与它为敌 – 我们都达不到它的要求。我们却要求别人做我们所做不倒的
这就是道成肉身的原委，人为何要悔改，被宽恕的原因。
我们的世界相信什么？
无神论 – 唯物主义（道德，终极意义的缺乏）
有神论 – 泛神论，多神论，独神论
泛神论 – 神在宇宙，时间，善恶中
多神论 – 非道德的
独神论 – 是至善，全智，全能，自存的，（基督教，回教，犹太教）
基督徒相信什么？
至善，全智，全能，自存的神来到世上。
这是十分复杂，是人难测透，是一个启示的信仰。
先来问 - 至善的神，为什么允许恶与苦难存在？
恶与苦难的解释：
一般的说法 –
善与恶是二元的力量在争斗（可是标准参考何在？事实上没有人会因为残暴是不对而去行暴的）
基督教的说法 –
世界本是好的，却偏离正道
善是自存的，恶则是人滥用了的善。
善恶力量不是对等的。
世界的确有恶的力量与悲惨的事，但上帝已进入世界。
为什么上帝要进入世界？
上帝给人自由意志 – 这是爱和善的最基本要求。
恶就是从正途偏离 – 这是自由意志所引发的。
离开上帝就是最直接体现的偏离正途 （创世纪：蛇说人吃禁果后会如同上帝）
基督到世界来，就是要来受苦，来替死，把人带回上帝那边。
基督为何到世界来，受苦，替死？
把人带回上帝那边。（请留意：好的解释不如事实重要）
上帝既是上帝，为何不一笔勾销？
销不来 - 拯救包括：
代赎和悔改
代赎 – 掉进坑里，还债（上帝把他的一点放在我们里面，使我们能想能爱）
悔改 – 回归上帝的过程 （是自我放弃，消灭，死亡的过程）
基督到世界来为榜样
他可以受死，受苦，因为他是人 （我们可以有同等的经历）
他可以完全成功，因为他是上帝
问题- 他是上帝，当然会作得比人容易？？我们真的不要一个好的老师吗？硬要一个差的榜样。
我们若在他的苦难上有份，就会得到新生命
新生命
确实是一个奥秘
有欢愉，痛苦，危险
通过：相信，洗礼，圣餐
学效基督，连於基督
由他供给营养，不断保护， 照顾
不保证不会犯错，但因为连于生命源- 伤害也能愈合，跌倒也能爬起
正确认识 - 上帝先爱我们，拣选我们
记住，基督徒是基督的身体
小问题
其他人会得救吗？
人不借着基督，绝不能得救。可是我们不知道，是否只有认识基督的人才能借着他得救?
以后的事？末日又如何？
如果人人都是你这样，你看会变成如何？
这是我先用/玩的！你要等一下！
是你先动手/骂人的。
你承诺过的，又没有兑现。
争吵的背后可有一个标准呢？？
争吵是否要说明对方的不是？
那什么是标准？
它不是随时间，文化，地方，对事物的了解而改变的。
道德的标准，在不同的环境，时间，原来是瞒接近的。
我们都不喜欢欺骗。
我们都不喜欢出卖人。
我们都不喜欢人自私。
我们都喜欢忠诚。
我们都喜欢公平。
道德标准的真相：
它不是来自本能（如有人掉下水：救人- 是合群的本能，不救人- 是逃避危险的本能）救与不救会受道德律影响。
本能和道德律 就像 -琴键和琴谱
它不是来自教育（不是人想出来的，它也有自然的比较性的 – 知好与更好）
认知和信念的进步不是=道德的进步（不处死女巫 = 不安装捕鼠机，不是道德在进步）
它是客观存在的（就像：人为何不可以自私？正当行为有何好处？踢足球有什么意义？）
它是符合理性的（人要在坦诚，公平，友善，安全的环境才会努力工作的）
道德标准的背后：
它是一种力量，（支配 / 引导 / 要求着人，促人走正路，犯错时会让人感到不安。）
它是有意志的。
它的源头就是来自至善者（上帝） – 公平，无私，勇敢，良善，诚实，忠心。
它反对贪婪，欺骗，剥削。
可是人却在破坏它，与它为敌 – 我们都达不到它的要求。我们却要求别人做我们所做不倒的
这就是道成肉身的原委，人为何要悔改，被宽恕的原因。
我们的世界相信什么？
无神论 – 唯物主义（道德，终极意义的缺乏）
有神论 – 泛神论，多神论，独神论
泛神论 – 神在宇宙，时间，善恶中
多神论 – 非道德的
独神论 – 是至善，全智，全能，自存的，（基督教，回教，犹太教）
基督徒相信什么？
至善，全智，全能，自存的神来到世上。
这是十分复杂，是人难测透，是一个启示的信仰。
先来问 - 至善的神，为什么允许恶与苦难存在？
恶与苦难的解释：
一般的说法 –
善与恶是二元的力量在争斗（可是标准参考何在？事实上没有人会因为残暴是不对而去行暴的）
基督教的说法 –
世界本是好的，却偏离正道
善是自存的，恶则是人滥用了的善。
善恶力量不是对等的。
世界的确有恶的力量与悲惨的事，但上帝已进入世界。
为什么上帝要进入世界？
上帝给人自由意志 – 这是爱和善的最基本要求。
恶就是从正途偏离 – 这是自由意志所引发的。
离开上帝就是最直接体现的偏离正途 （创世纪：蛇说人吃禁果后会如同上帝）
基督到世界来，就是要来受苦，来替死，把人带回上帝那边。
基督为何到世界来，受苦，替死？
把人带回上帝那边。（请留意：好的解释不如事实重要）
上帝既是上帝，为何不一笔勾销？
销不来 - 拯救包括：
代赎和悔改
代赎 – 掉进坑里，还债（上帝把他的一点放在我们里面，使我们能想能爱）
悔改 – 回归上帝的过程 （是自我放弃，消灭，死亡的过程）
基督到世界来为榜样
他可以受死，受苦，因为他是人 （我们可以有同等的经历）
他可以完全成功，因为他是上帝
问题- 他是上帝，当然会作得比人容易？？我们真的不要一个好的老师吗？硬要一个差的榜样。
我们若在他的苦难上有份，就会得到新生命
新生命
确实是一个奥秘
有欢愉，痛苦，危险
通过：相信，洗礼，圣餐
学效基督，连於基督
由他供给营养，不断保护， 照顾
不保证不会犯错，但因为连于生命源- 伤害也能愈合，跌倒也能爬起
正确认识 - 上帝先爱我们，拣选我们
记住，基督徒是基督的身体
小问题
其他人会得救吗？
人不借着基督，绝不能得救。可是我们不知道，是否只有认识基督的人才能借着他得救?
以后的事？末日又如何？
China trade ABC - a brief in Screen Printing business
Dear readers,
My name is Byron Chui, I come from Hong Kong. I am the sales director of Sefar, a screen printing mesh manufacturer from Switzerland, am looking after PR China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, where people usually called – the Greater China region.
I am a Textile Engineer and have further acquired my Master Degree in Strategic Marketing, University of Hull. I joined Sefar in July 1997 - which was then an historical moment for all Chinese – handover of Hong Kong back to PR China from Britain.
I like to share with you some of my understanding in this huge country, which is changing with an unprecedented speed and what Sefar has been doing there so far.
The Waken Giant
This emerging economic structure in the Eastern Pacific horizon has caught the eyesight of the whole world. Needless to say, we are now at a critical moment. Information Technology connection, Effective Logistic Coverage and Globalization have pushed China onto the stage of action.
While people were still discussing would China collapse 7 - 10 years ago? She was importing the most sophisticate production machines; training the unlimited supply of cheap and skillful workers; connecting the whole country with intensive highway network. Numerous World-Class manufacturers started to spring up, Galanz (microwave cooker); Changhong (television set); Haier (refrigerator), China Unicom (mobile phone service provider). All these changes took place too fast, and people easily judged that the development of China is superficial, and decorative only. This is not true, her changes is structural, not just on the economic level, but vertical. This will influence her internal political aspect as well as the international relationship.
She is named the “World Factory”, and will soon be named the “World Market” and is going to be named the “World Research Centre”.
Let some figure of China to tell us the situation:
The GDP in 2005 was USD 2,279 billions, which is the 4th biggest in the world.
Foreign Direct Investment in 2002 was 52.7 billions, first time to take over USA as the biggest in the world.
Out of the total Foreign Direct Investment (which is over USD 600 billions since her economic reformed), there are strategic investments, like IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Fujitsu, etc. has set up their research centre in China.
Highway Network is 30,000 Km, 2nd in the world, next to USA.
Petrol consumption was 199 billion barrels in 2003, has taken over Japan as the 2nd biggest in the world.
The world biggest consumer on coal, iron, cement, etc. (besides those human related commodity)
The world biggest producer on air conditioning unit; motorcycle; television set; laundry machine; refrigerator, compact disc, printed circuit board, ceramic tile, textile good, lighter, etc.
Pitfall in China
This would be non realistic if we are only optimistic on China’s achievement. The communistic system has left over 300,000 state own companies, out of which 70% are non profitable. At least 40% of the bank’s loans are non-recoverable and a lot of the economic developments are based on over-stretching financing tool. Smuggling, tax violation, civil corruption, environment concern, unemployment rate, intelligent right, etc. are all hot topics due to be addressed and rectified.
This is also true that the failure rate in China investment is higher than the successful rate, a lot of re-investment, consolidation, stuck up, pull out were seen. Proper timing, correct entry point and optimal scale are determined factors should not be ignored.
Sefar strategy move in China
Sefar has not overlooked the important of the China market; it was in April 1997 that Sefar setup her first office in Hong Kong, where she worked closely with her distributors in the regions, to look after the business development in China. Her office is now located in Kwai Fong, New Territories with a staff team of 12 staffs.
Another milestones development she has was in July 2001, Sefar’s 3rd Technical Centre started operating in Hong Kong, where she can perform most of the technical test, product analysis, quality complaint handling and customers training. This provides an invaluable support to Sefar’s customers in Asia and this is proud to say that this could be the best showcase of screen-printing laboratory in the region.
To prepare her strategic development in China, she further set up her fabrication factory in Shanghai in Apr. 2004. This office is equipped with 25 over staffs and her main function is to provide value added service to her customers on stencil making.
Sefar sales position in China
Sefar turnover has grown by near 4 times in China since 1996 to 2005.
This is estimated that the total screen-printing mesh market in China in 2005 is close to CHF 60 million, or 6 million M2.
Sefar biggest competitors in China is NBC, they are predominantly well known in the electronic industry.
The competitors come next will be the local mesh manufacturers, like Unirich, Anping, and Shanghai Bolting Cloth. This group of competitors has already taken the leading position in ceramic tile and graphic fields. Their success is more a price strategy and a good enough product.
Others competitors like Saati, Verseidag, Nittoku, Wangi, Taiwanese mesh are all present in China, and they share the remaining market, each with 3% - 7% market share.
Trading barriers to most of the European manufacturer
A lot of Sefar business is worked through distributors, communication between Sefar and end customers is rather limited. I can think of a few trading barriers which bring the situation as of today as follow:
Commercial trading within China is limited open to foreign investment
Except a few nominated import & export companies, no one has the right to import good into China
Foreign currency exchange is still strictly control by the government
Multi-tier and complicated tax system – VAT, local tax, state tax, re-construction tax, corporate tax, etc.
Importation via grey zone and VAT violation is still very popular.
Besides this, most of the local business players find their way to get around from all these business red tape; this makes the foreign investment difficult to join the game and to compete on a fair platform. Civil corruption, poor legal awareness made the foreign investors more difficult to play the rule.
This is still believe that Western manufacturer should sell their product through the distributors, which is the best and the most effective way, at least for the time being.
Sales outlook in China
Economy outlook of China before 2008 is rather positive, an annual growth of GDP of 7 - 9% is expected, this is believe that such an upward trend will be maintained even up to 2010 before the World Expo in Shanghai.
However, we should not under estimate the competition from local producers, over supply on industrial product, unhealthy competition among our distributors and the very strong bargaining power of those big factories will continuously ruining the margin.
As a conclusion, “cautiously optimistic” is the right word to be used.
Mentality of main land Chinese
You will never be successful if you do not know the mentality of the peoples you work with. China is a huge country with 1.3 billions people and 4,000 years of written history. Yet, you can still draw some common style among the main land Chinese.
Chinese is an adventurer in term of migration, and a gambler in terms of financial investment, do not be surprised if you find a company over stretching her investment scale.
Usually, Chinese are less patriotic during peaceful time; we are rather individualism and seldom take the legal awareness to the country level. This is common that Chinese will tempt themselves to play in the legal grey zone. The previous communistic system also lacks of the proper training in business rule. This explains why the violation on the customs and tax law are so popular.
In personal level, Chinese very much emphasize on education and academic result, we believe that this is the only tool to allow us to change our social class. Therefore, you can always find some Chinese with the profession / education you wanted. This contributes a supportive factor for China development in the last decade.
In the aspect of personal interaction, Chinese like to be “Respect”. We have a strong cultural base of 4000 years. East and West may have different value; yet, this is not superior or inferior. The difference stages of economic and democratic development should not be seen as better or worst. We like to respect and to be respected, or in Chinese, we call it to “reserve face” for others. Do not confront and not to be confronted.
Another word I can think of is “Golden Mean” or “juste – milieu”, this is still a strong practise among most Chinese. Please do not expect your partners will over excite with your idea. We should never over do, especially in human relationship. Revolution is not really our style. Sometime, you will be astonished how Chinese can endure over non-justice situation. In daily life, this will be reflected by non-rejection to others, when a Chinese say, “let me consider”, this would mean “No”. This is still a problem for most Chinese that when they speak English and to put “No” and “Thank you” together.
My name is Byron Chui, I come from Hong Kong. I am the sales director of Sefar, a screen printing mesh manufacturer from Switzerland, am looking after PR China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, where people usually called – the Greater China region.
I am a Textile Engineer and have further acquired my Master Degree in Strategic Marketing, University of Hull. I joined Sefar in July 1997 - which was then an historical moment for all Chinese – handover of Hong Kong back to PR China from Britain.
I like to share with you some of my understanding in this huge country, which is changing with an unprecedented speed and what Sefar has been doing there so far.
The Waken Giant
This emerging economic structure in the Eastern Pacific horizon has caught the eyesight of the whole world. Needless to say, we are now at a critical moment. Information Technology connection, Effective Logistic Coverage and Globalization have pushed China onto the stage of action.
While people were still discussing would China collapse 7 - 10 years ago? She was importing the most sophisticate production machines; training the unlimited supply of cheap and skillful workers; connecting the whole country with intensive highway network. Numerous World-Class manufacturers started to spring up, Galanz (microwave cooker); Changhong (television set); Haier (refrigerator), China Unicom (mobile phone service provider). All these changes took place too fast, and people easily judged that the development of China is superficial, and decorative only. This is not true, her changes is structural, not just on the economic level, but vertical. This will influence her internal political aspect as well as the international relationship.
She is named the “World Factory”, and will soon be named the “World Market” and is going to be named the “World Research Centre”.
Let some figure of China to tell us the situation:
The GDP in 2005 was USD 2,279 billions, which is the 4th biggest in the world.
Foreign Direct Investment in 2002 was 52.7 billions, first time to take over USA as the biggest in the world.
Out of the total Foreign Direct Investment (which is over USD 600 billions since her economic reformed), there are strategic investments, like IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Fujitsu, etc. has set up their research centre in China.
Highway Network is 30,000 Km, 2nd in the world, next to USA.
Petrol consumption was 199 billion barrels in 2003, has taken over Japan as the 2nd biggest in the world.
The world biggest consumer on coal, iron, cement, etc. (besides those human related commodity)
The world biggest producer on air conditioning unit; motorcycle; television set; laundry machine; refrigerator, compact disc, printed circuit board, ceramic tile, textile good, lighter, etc.
Pitfall in China
This would be non realistic if we are only optimistic on China’s achievement. The communistic system has left over 300,000 state own companies, out of which 70% are non profitable. At least 40% of the bank’s loans are non-recoverable and a lot of the economic developments are based on over-stretching financing tool. Smuggling, tax violation, civil corruption, environment concern, unemployment rate, intelligent right, etc. are all hot topics due to be addressed and rectified.
This is also true that the failure rate in China investment is higher than the successful rate, a lot of re-investment, consolidation, stuck up, pull out were seen. Proper timing, correct entry point and optimal scale are determined factors should not be ignored.
Sefar strategy move in China
Sefar has not overlooked the important of the China market; it was in April 1997 that Sefar setup her first office in Hong Kong, where she worked closely with her distributors in the regions, to look after the business development in China. Her office is now located in Kwai Fong, New Territories with a staff team of 12 staffs.
Another milestones development she has was in July 2001, Sefar’s 3rd Technical Centre started operating in Hong Kong, where she can perform most of the technical test, product analysis, quality complaint handling and customers training. This provides an invaluable support to Sefar’s customers in Asia and this is proud to say that this could be the best showcase of screen-printing laboratory in the region.
To prepare her strategic development in China, she further set up her fabrication factory in Shanghai in Apr. 2004. This office is equipped with 25 over staffs and her main function is to provide value added service to her customers on stencil making.
Sefar sales position in China
Sefar turnover has grown by near 4 times in China since 1996 to 2005.
This is estimated that the total screen-printing mesh market in China in 2005 is close to CHF 60 million, or 6 million M2.
Sefar biggest competitors in China is NBC, they are predominantly well known in the electronic industry.
The competitors come next will be the local mesh manufacturers, like Unirich, Anping, and Shanghai Bolting Cloth. This group of competitors has already taken the leading position in ceramic tile and graphic fields. Their success is more a price strategy and a good enough product.
Others competitors like Saati, Verseidag, Nittoku, Wangi, Taiwanese mesh are all present in China, and they share the remaining market, each with 3% - 7% market share.
Trading barriers to most of the European manufacturer
A lot of Sefar business is worked through distributors, communication between Sefar and end customers is rather limited. I can think of a few trading barriers which bring the situation as of today as follow:
Commercial trading within China is limited open to foreign investment
Except a few nominated import & export companies, no one has the right to import good into China
Foreign currency exchange is still strictly control by the government
Multi-tier and complicated tax system – VAT, local tax, state tax, re-construction tax, corporate tax, etc.
Importation via grey zone and VAT violation is still very popular.
Besides this, most of the local business players find their way to get around from all these business red tape; this makes the foreign investment difficult to join the game and to compete on a fair platform. Civil corruption, poor legal awareness made the foreign investors more difficult to play the rule.
This is still believe that Western manufacturer should sell their product through the distributors, which is the best and the most effective way, at least for the time being.
Sales outlook in China
Economy outlook of China before 2008 is rather positive, an annual growth of GDP of 7 - 9% is expected, this is believe that such an upward trend will be maintained even up to 2010 before the World Expo in Shanghai.
However, we should not under estimate the competition from local producers, over supply on industrial product, unhealthy competition among our distributors and the very strong bargaining power of those big factories will continuously ruining the margin.
As a conclusion, “cautiously optimistic” is the right word to be used.
Mentality of main land Chinese
You will never be successful if you do not know the mentality of the peoples you work with. China is a huge country with 1.3 billions people and 4,000 years of written history. Yet, you can still draw some common style among the main land Chinese.
Chinese is an adventurer in term of migration, and a gambler in terms of financial investment, do not be surprised if you find a company over stretching her investment scale.
Usually, Chinese are less patriotic during peaceful time; we are rather individualism and seldom take the legal awareness to the country level. This is common that Chinese will tempt themselves to play in the legal grey zone. The previous communistic system also lacks of the proper training in business rule. This explains why the violation on the customs and tax law are so popular.
In personal level, Chinese very much emphasize on education and academic result, we believe that this is the only tool to allow us to change our social class. Therefore, you can always find some Chinese with the profession / education you wanted. This contributes a supportive factor for China development in the last decade.
In the aspect of personal interaction, Chinese like to be “Respect”. We have a strong cultural base of 4000 years. East and West may have different value; yet, this is not superior or inferior. The difference stages of economic and democratic development should not be seen as better or worst. We like to respect and to be respected, or in Chinese, we call it to “reserve face” for others. Do not confront and not to be confronted.
Another word I can think of is “Golden Mean” or “juste – milieu”, this is still a strong practise among most Chinese. Please do not expect your partners will over excite with your idea. We should never over do, especially in human relationship. Revolution is not really our style. Sometime, you will be astonished how Chinese can endure over non-justice situation. In daily life, this will be reflected by non-rejection to others, when a Chinese say, “let me consider”, this would mean “No”. This is still a problem for most Chinese that when they speak English and to put “No” and “Thank you” together.
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