A recent book takes a close look at Apple’s decades-long relationship with China, tracing how one of the world’s most influential companies became deeply enmeshed in the ambitions and realities of a rising superpower.

It begins in the late 1990s, when Apple shifted its manufacturing to China, initially to reduce costs. Over time, this evolved into a complex partnership. Apple poured billions into local infrastructure, training programs, and supplier development. In return, it gained access to unmatched speed, scale, and flexibility—capabilities that helped it dominate global markets.

But the relationship came at a price. Apple’s growing dependence on China gave the country leverage and strategic insight. Chinese companies once subcontracting for Apple grew into powerful competitors. Meanwhile, political pressures—on censorship, data control, and supply chain security—forced Apple to walk a delicate line.

The book doesn’t argue that Apple made the wrong choice, but rather that the relationship became something much larger and riskier than originally anticipated. It’s a story about ambition, compromise, and the unintended consequences of building too much of your future on someone else’s terms.

And yet, the conclusion is not to retreat. The reality is clear: if you’re serious about global scale—especially in hardware and manufacturing—you can’t afford to not be in China. But that presence must be strategic, informed, and well-advised.

The key takeaway is this: China is too important to avoid, and too complex to navigate alone. Success requires the right local partners, sharp strategy, and advisors who understand both the opportunity and the risk.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

Chopsticks sticking upright in rice is considered taboo in many East Asian cultures, especially in Japan and China, because it resembles incense sticks offered to the dead during funerary rites. It’s associated with death and is seen as disrespectful when done at the dining table.

Chinese are forgiving. But show that you respect their culture and never ever do this.

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Curious which consumer products are thriving in China — or worth adapting for local tastes? Which outlets are setting the pace? What are competitors launching, and which technologies are gaining momentum?

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Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

In recent years, a significant shift has occurred in the educational aspirations of China’s middle class. Once eager to send their children abroad for higher education, many parents are now reconsidering this path. The allure of foreign degrees, particularly from Western institutions, is waning due to a combination of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and evolving perceptions of educational value.

Eva Deng, a human resources director from Shenzhen, exemplifies this trend. After six years of her son’s education at an international school, she decided to enroll him in a local public junior high. Her focus shifted towards China’s top universities, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, believing that domestic institutions now offer competitive advantages. This move underscores a broader sentiment among parents who perceive studying at home as more beneficial in the current global climate.

Several factors contribute to this changing mindset. Geopolitical frictions, notably between China and Western nations, have raised concerns about the safety and acceptance of Chinese students abroad. Financial considerations also play a role; the high cost of overseas education, coupled with uncertain job prospects post-graduation, makes domestic education a more pragmatic choice. Furthermore, China’s own universities have improved in quality and reputation, offering programs that align with national development goals.

The job market for returnees with foreign degrees has also become more challenging. Employers increasingly prioritize practical experience and domestic educational backgrounds, viewing foreign degrees as less indicative of a candidate’s capabilities. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on aligning education with China’s specific economic and technological needs.

In summary, the traditional prestige associated with foreign education is diminishing among Chinese families. A combination of external pressures and internal developments is prompting a reevaluation of the best paths to success, with many now seeing domestic education as a more secure and relevant option for their children’s futures.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Beijing on Tuesday during Lula’s state visit to China. Xi noted that, following the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries last year, China and Brazil had elevated their ties to a community with a shared future aimed at building a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

He urged both sides to continue developing this partnership by aligning their development strategies and fostering greater solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations. Xi emphasized the importance of maintaining strategic mutual trust, supporting each other on core interests, and promoting exchanges at all levels.

Calling for expanded cooperation, Xi encouraged deeper integration of the Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil’s national development goals. He highlighted opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, and energy, as well as emerging sectors such as energy transition, aerospace, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. Xi also advocated for stronger cultural and people-to-people ties, improved convenience for travel, and greater collaboration in culture, education, tourism, media, and sub-national exchanges.

Reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism, Xi stressed the need for China and Brazil to coordinate closely in global forums, resist unilateralism and protectionism, and work to improve global governance and uphold fair economic and trade practices.

President Lula expressed Brazil’s readiness to deepen strategic cooperation and further build a Brazil-China community with a shared future. He affirmed Brazil’s commitment to aligning with the Belt and Road Initiative and expanding cooperation in trade, infrastructure, aerospace, and finance. Lula also called for greater cultural and youth exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations.

Denouncing protectionism and tariff misuse as counterproductive to development, Lula praised China’s leadership in tackling global challenges and pledged Brazil’s support in safeguarding the interests of the Global South and upholding international justice.

At the Great Hall of the People, Xi and Lula witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation agreements spanning areas such as development strategy, science and technology, agriculture, digital economy, finance, inspection and quarantine, and media. They also held a joint press meeting and issued a joint statement reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateralism and addressing the Ukraine crisis.

Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome ceremony for Lula and his wife Rosângela Lula da Silva. That evening, they also hosted a formal banquet in their honor.

Can you afford not to be in China and Brazil? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China or Brazil.

Can you afford not to be in China? Talk to us, we’ll help you succeed in China.

The company aims to challenge the dominant local player by offering lower commission rates to restaurants and subsidizing delivery fees for customers.

Operating under its international brand, Meituan plans to introduce its superapp model, which integrates food delivery with other services like hotel bookings and financial products. The company intends to recruit 50,000 delivery riders within a year, offering productivity bonuses to boost earnings during peak times.

Despite challenges such as a high share of cash payments and elevated customer acquisition costs, Meituan has set up a headquarters in São Paulo and partnered with digital banks to facilitate payments.

Competitors are responding with increased investments and incentives, while analysts expect Meituan to capture a significant share of the market within a few years, creating thousands of new jobs.

Meituan’s use of drone delivery technology, which has proven to reduce logistics costs substantially, may provide a competitive advantage. The company’s entry is likely to drive commission reductions across the industry, benefiting thousands of restaurant partners. Success will depend on adapting its business model to local preferences and navigating regulatory complexities in Brazil’s rapidly growing food delivery market.

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Chinese firms are attempting to step out of their comfort zones and expand internationally as domestic competition intensifies. This shift has resulted in learning curves, labor law violations, and more diverse supply chains. A BYD manager’s claim on social media that “foreign forces” and some domestic media are deliberately slandering Chinese brands and the country was a response to a Brazilian investigation revealing that 163 Chinese nationals were working under “slave-like conditions” at a construction site for the electric vehicle giant. Experts in China’s foreign investment sector have pointed out that the underlying issues may not be fully recognized.

Some argue that the race to the bottom is deeply embedded in the structures of Chinese business, with low costs and prices being the golden rule. This mindset often leads companies to undercut others by offering the lowest bid and then reducing costs to make that bid financially viable. Liu Tanghua, regional director of Terra Regia Industrial Park in Mexico, noted that this approach reminds him of his experiences over two decades ago when he worked as a translator for construction projects in India and Sri Lanka. “Two decades later, as China has become much stronger, people think there should be improvements across all areas,” Liu said. “But such routines remain unchanged.”

As more Chinese companies establish factories abroad to counteract insufficient domestic demand and persistent high trade barriers, experts warn that transferring the competitive approach overseas could be counterproductive. This could hinder their local operations and damage the overall reputation of Chinese firms. “Chinese companies need to adapt to the local context: one cannot approach other countries with a specific Chinese methodology,” stated Dominique Turpin, Professor of Marketing and European President of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai.

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