The newly begun 21st century is being declared by many as the century of Asia/Pacific. Among the countries of Asia, the People's Republic of China has taken a leading role since its opening under Deng Xiaoping. China is the fastest-growing and, with 1.3 billion people, also the largest economy in the world. Given these facts, it is not surprising that the PRC plays a significant role in the internationalization of businesses. However, it is important to consider that so far only about half of all investments by foreign companies have reached profitability. For this reason, many small and medium-sized enterprises are primarily focused on how to take the step into the future market of China.

This book explains the strategic, economic, legal, and cultural factors for successful engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises in the PRC. It is aimed at decision-makers in small and medium-sized enterprises, economists, and interested readers.