It would be nice, wouldn’t it? If only you weren’t sleeping with the enemy.

I should know. As close as China and the US have come in recent years, they aren’t putting their arms around each other like the US and Britain. And yet, even with all of the strides we have made, somehow somebody (such as Tim Geithner) has to pull out the China unfairness card (in this case, on the artificial value of the RMB) and, before you know it, we all feel like enemies again.

I wouldn’t necessarily mind it, save that this silent quarrel wreaks havoc upon our lives in curious ways.

As I think about my future — which currently means a move back to China with the husband after gaining his PhD — there are so many bizarre details that no couple should ever have to face…but we will. Take for example, having kids. If we go back to China and, say, decide to have children, the kids can either be US citizens or Chinese citizens, but not both (and if they are US citizens and then I take them out of the country, they need a visa to come back in). Then there’s the fact that merely being married to a Chinese man does not automatically grant me a green card. Fortunately, there is at least a Chinese green card system, but in China I have to live there continuously for five years before I’m even eligible.

I could only imagine how more horrendous it would be if our two countries were at war.

Except, I don’t have to — Pearl Buck imagined it for me, and for the rest of us, in her book Patriot, which follows the world of I-wan, a smart young man who faces the unthinkable: being married to a woman from Japan, a country invading China.

I-wan is not only married the the enemy – he works for them too.

I-wan’s father sends him to Japan, after being outed as a revolutionary, to work for his longtime friend, Mr. Muraki, an import-export businessman who lives in Nagasaki. His love for Muraki’s daughter (who eventually becomes his wife) blinds him to the reality behind the antique Chinese vases and scrolls and jewelry that pass through his inspections in the warehouse (let’s just say, this merchandise probably wasn’t bought gently, or even at a fair price). But by the time he realizes the betrayal, things are already headed for disaster. His best friend in Japan is sent over to China for battle, and, in a drunken stupor, admits to mindless acts of hatred, such as ravaging teenage Chinese girls to death. Meanwhile, once the war is underway by Japan, Muraki, who I-wan’s father had long praised as an upstanding citizen, is quietly confiscating letters between father and son. As for the media, the headlines in Japan are filled with mindless propaganda, such as how the Chinese welcome the Japanese invasion, leaving out footnotes of horror like the Rape of Nanjing.

As I-wan’s anger grows, it becomes even harder to reconcile reality with his domestic life. He dearly loves his wife, an obedient, thoughtful woman who eschews politics, and instead puts her energy into providing I-wan with the best food, family, and relaxation. Yet, can he see beyond her country to embrace her for the person she is, and not her nationality? Worse, he fears that his sons, growing up in Japan, will never love and experience Chinese culture.

While I-wan considers what to do for his country, his revolutionary communist past could jeopardize all of his efforts, and even put him at risk of being labeled a traitor by Chiang Kai-Shek.

There are ultimately no easy answers for I-wan, though I will say he follows his heart without betraying his family.

There are no easy answers for me and Jun, either. But one thing I know is this — he’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and he’ll never be my enemy.

Hirayama immediately began sketching out what would become one of his most powerful works, a huge, six-paneled canvas called “The Holocaust of Hiroshima.”

It’s a striking painting; most of the canvas is a blood-red sky, filled with wisps of dirty clouds. In the upper right, the Buddhist god of wrath looks down upon the city.

Hirayama says that despite the sorrow and destruction portrayed in “The Holocaust of Hiroshima,” the painting offers a message of hope.

Clearly, many Japanese citizens — this man included — suffered dearly for the actions of their government. Still, as horrifying as Hiroshima was, I have to wonder if it merits the description of “Holocaust”, especially given the atrocities the Japanese committed for years in China that have still yet to be acknowledged with the same gravity as the Nazi Holocaust.

Consider this: Japan had basically forcibly occupied portions of China since the end of 1931 up until 1945. It began in the Northeastern region — Manchuria — but eventually spread to include the entire eastern seaboard of China, plus Canton, Hong Kong and Hainan Island, as well as Taiwan. The land mass in Japan’s hands was greater than eight Iraqs put together — and with horrific, senseless violence that ranks right up there with the worst of human rights violations, illuminated in this passage from Jonathan Spence’s the Search for Modern China, which describes ONLY the rape of Nanking/Nanjing, a seven-week rampage by the Japanese:

There followed in Nanjing a period of terror and destruction that must rank among the worst in history of modern warfare. For almost seven weeks the Japanese troops, who first entered the city on December 13, unleashed on the defeated Chinese troops and on the helpless Chinese civilian population a storm of violence and cruelty that has few parallels. The female rape victims, many of whom died after repeated assaults, were estimated by foreign observers at 20,000; the fugitive soldiers killed were estimated at 30,000; murdered civilians at 12,000. Robbery, wanton destruction, and arson left much of the city in ruins. There is no obvious explanation for this grim event nor perhaps can one be found. The Japanese soldiers, who had expected easy victory, instead had been fighting hard for months and had taken infinitely higher casualties than anticipated. They were bored, angry, frustrated, tired. The Chinese women were undefended, their men-folk powerless or absent. The war, still undeclared, had no clear-cut goal or purpose. Perhaps all Chinese regardless of sex or age seemed marked out as victims.

That was only one incident during the entire Japanese occupation of China, but it gives you the sense of the depravity of the Japanese aggression — arguably, just from Spence’s description up there, just as bloodthirsty and inhumane as the Holocaust in Germany, given that, in many cases, the Japanese just needlessly raped and murdered innocent civilians, simply because they were Chinese.

Keep in mind, also, that, while 6 million people were murdered in the Holocaust, far more innocent Chinese were murdered in the atrocities by Japan:

The Chinese casualties were 3.22 million soldiers. 9.13 million civilians who died in the crossfire, and another 8.4 million as non-military casualties. According to historian Mitsuyoshi Himeta, at least 2.7 million civilians died during the “kill all, loot all, burn all” operation (Three Alls Policy, or sanko sakusen) implemented in May 1942 in North China by general Yasuji Okamura and authorized on 3 December 1941 by Imperial Headquarter Order number 575.^[9]

Every time I hear stories like this about Japan, from the Japanese perspective, it somehow magnifies the very absence of any attention paid to China’s grave suffering at the hands of the Japanese.

I used to wonder why Chinese were so livid over the Japanese…but now I know.

I ask, why is there a Holocaust museum for the Jews, but not also one for the Chinese? Why is it that we turn time and time again to Hitler as the despot whose imitators must never be allowed to reign, yet we somehow turn a blind eye to the Japanese leaders?

I don’t disagree that the Holocaust — and the despair and destruction of human life as a result — deserves recognition. But what about the Chinese?

First, the numbers:

Unsurprisingly, over 65% have heard of iPhone, and among this group, more than 85% are willing to actually buy an iPhone if it’s available here in China.

While the iPhone is not yet *officially* available in China, the price sure won’t be a bargain once it hits the Apple store. This is, after all, Apple quality — you get what you pay for. A cursory search came up with one store in China selling an iPhone for 4,300 RMB (~$600 USD). Still, that price is still well above the average salary of a young person living in major cities such as Beijing or Shanghai (around 2,500 – 3,000 RMB).

There’s more:

Findings show that Battery Life, Memory Size, Style/Design are the top features when picking a phone for all consumers. The difference between iPhone lovers and the not yet converted is all about branding. The non iPhone lovers prefer Music and Camera features rather than being wooed and indoctrinated by the hip Apple brand equity.

I found it telling that the style/design was up in the top three, and also that branding plays a major role in wooing people over to the iPhone.

When I was in college and studying US culture (we read Neil Postman — classic!), our professor once asked us what the real symbol of US culture was. None of us even came close to his response: the car. It made sense because it is something so deeply a part of people’s lives, and, more importantly, it has become a way to express one’s values. Patriotic? Buy American (i.e. Ford/GM). Green? Get a Prius. Wealthy? Show it off with a luxury car (Mercedes, Porsche, etc.). The associations could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.

I have to wonder if the mobile phone is becoming the symbol of China, in the same way. While there are cars in China, not everyone can afford them. But everyone — yes, even those guys out in the fields in the countryside — has a mobile phone. And people are willing to spend thousands of RMB just have the “right phone”. Including getting the hot new iPhone in China (once it gets to China, that is).

I remember back in my office in Shanghai, when the girls in particular seemed obsessed with their phones. They hung all sorts of trinkets and pictures on them. One girl had no qualms about purchasing a mobile phone that had to be more than half of her monthly salary.

What do you think? Are mobile phones the new symbol of China? And how will the iPhone change the landscape?

We could learn a lot from Starbucks on this front. Their store in the Forbidden City has generated enough negative PR to warrant high-level government discussions on closing it for good. Why? Because the move was perceived as an imperialistic invasion into one of China’s most sacred and beloved cultural icons. With China’s recent history of foreign marauders coming in and setting up shop there — without the blessing of average Chinese — the reaction is not surprising.

So if a Chinese official gives you the green light to open up at the Great Wall — or any other iconic cultural location in China — think twice.

2. Fudge your Chinese translations.

Chinese translation is sadly undervalued in the business world. Companies pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for branding, marketing, design and PR — but some expect to get their marketing materials and corporate identity translated on the cheap by a Chinese student. What’s the harm? A lot. Let’s say you do get a Chinese student to do your translations. If that person has little experience in the business world of your country, they may end up using the wrong terminology. Jean Jameson, a professional translator in the UK, underlines the potential risk in her article “Prevention is cheaper than cure“. Here’s an example:

A textile design company went to Shanghai for a major exhibition several months ago, and engaged a Chinese student to translate its marketing brochure. At the exhibition confused visitors pointed out that the brochure did not make sense – the Chinese student had translated ‘rug’ for ‘cushion’!

It could get even more embarrassing if it’s your tagline, company name or your actual name — these are the core of your company’s image.

Remember, your marketing materials and corporate identity are communicating for you when you’re not around, like a Chinese sales rep in print. Will yours be wearing sleek Armani or plaid polyester? The choice is yours.

3. Confuse Japan and China.

China has a love-hate relationship with Japan. They love the economic benefit of Japan’s investments and export purchases from the Mainland. But most average Chinese still hate the island nation. Some of the sweetest, most gentle Chinese people have surprised me with their poisonous diatribes on Japan. It’s not shocking when you consider that the Japanese occupation from the late 1920s to the 1940s was akin to the Holocaust for Chinese.

Yet Westerners continue to conveniently lump together all East Asian cultures. As far as some are concerned, if they look the same, the culture is the same.

This is complicated by popular culture, where Asians even take on roles outside of their respective cultures — sometimes, with volatile results. For example, the recent movie version of Memoirs of a Geisha intermingled Chinese and Japanese screen stars, and had cast mainly Chinese actresses as the leading geisha in the film. Anyone following the news also knows the film was banned in China. The primary backlash stemmed from — what else? — its portrayal of Chinese women as high-class prostitutes, a bitter reminder of the Chinese “comfort women” enslaved during the Japanese occupation.
So, take note: samurai, geisha, teppanyaki, sake, kimonos, manga. None of these are Chinese. And they may be to your conversation what the A-bomb was to Hiroshima.
4. All work and no play.

Remember the Shining and what happened to Jack? All work and no play also makes you a very dull, very undesirable partner to the Chinese.

Here in the US, we’re used to separating business from pleasure. We like to “get down to business,” so to speak. And when the meeting’s done, we shake hands and leave the office.

In China, the meeting is just the beginning. Chinese business partners invite you to elaborate teas, banquets, karaoke parties and even weekend trips to Hong Kong. You get chauffered around in the utmost luxury. All on your Chinese partners’ tabs.

After a few rounds of this, you’re just about ready to put on the breaks the next time you hear an invitation to chifan (eat dinner).

I’ve got news for you. When it comes to doing business in China, all of the above is just par for the course. Some of the most important headway between you and your prospective partner will probably happen while you’re crooning “Edelweiss” (a perennial favorite) together in a karaoke bar.

There’s another reason you shouldn’t miss the socializing. It just might suggest you’re not interested.
In China, people put a premium on the relationship. They want to know you and build trust. That kind of connection only happens beyond the office. I’ve heard from many execs that, by spending more leisure time with their Chinese partners, they experienced major breakthroughs in their business relationships.

5. Ignore superstition.

Superstition in China runs stronger than the Yangzi River. Even Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution, his almost deranged assault on traditional Chinese culture and history, couldn’t stamp out superstition…though it tried.

Examples of it abound in modern Chinese culture.

Consider the upcoming Beijing Olympics in 2008. Now, the number eight is one of the most treasured numbers in China because it sounds similar to the character for making money. China already got lucky hosting the event in ’08. So guess when the Olympics will begin? August — the eighth month of the year — on the eighth day of the month at exactly 8pm.

After the seven-day Labor Day and National Day holidays, work always resumes on the eighth of the month.

The Chinese national flag is in red and gold, the two most traditionally auspicious colors in Chinese culture.

But the question remains — how could superstition derail your business?
Picture this: your prospective Chinese partner invites you to his daughter’s wedding. It’s a great opportunity to get to know him better through social interaction following the advice above. You’ve heard that giving money is pretty standard, so you take out the nicest white envelope from your suitcase and put in the equivalent of $50 — 400 RMB.

Congratulations, you’ve just communicated your death wish for the new couple. White envelopes are only reserved for funerals, and the number four sounds a lot like the character for “death”.

Of course, this is an extreme example. Not all superstition snafus will hurt your reputation. For example, it’s unlikely that Chinese will turn the other way just because you didn’t use auspicious colors or characters in your corporate identity. But just imagine if you did. Chances are your counterparts in China will be impressed that you knew enough to go the extra mile.

Why fight superstition? Go with the flow — and watch your business reap the benefits.

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Yet in the world of retail and business, it’s another tale.

Japan’s Shiseido gets prime real estate on the cosmetics floor of nearly every single department store. Popular clothing retailers such as Baleno now offer a line of Japan-inspired women’s fashions. In the basement of Raffles City in the heart of Shanghai, a blindingly pink, flowery photo-shoot shop blaring Ayumi Hamasaki music videos sits right next to the Japanese Ajisen Ramen shop, where long lines are the norm. Did I mention that Japan is China’s number one trading partner?

This odd juxtaposition of politics in the face of retail outposts and business realities begs the question: what is the place of Japanese brands and styles in China?

Understandably, it’s a rocky marriage to say the least.

Take for example an anecdote in this Business Week article titled China Real Estate: The Japanese Touch:

Japan’s difficult history with its giant neighbor has haunted the WFC. What caused the most fuss was a circular hole at the top of the building that was supposed to represent “heaven” and serve as a way to reduce wind load on the building. But China linked it to Japan’s imperial symbol of a rising sun. In mid-October 2005, Mori caved, and “heaven” was changed to a rectangular opening.

Japan seems to be on the losing end of the car market — or so says this article titled Investing in China’s Booming Automotive Sector: Japanese Cars a No Go:

When we interviewed drivers in Shanghai, they overwhelmingly told us not to buy a Japanese car because the “Japanese are evil.” Investors should not underestimate the level of hatred most people in Asia have for Japanese. I used to live in the Philippines and Korea and the hatred is as palpable there as in China because Japan does not acknowledge its horrendous actions. Regardless of what political regime runs an Asian country, Japan is uniformly hated in Asia.

But while tensions explode over cars and real estate, softer goods such as cosmetics get a completely different reception. This article titled Japanese cosmetics players creep up on global rivals notes that China has driven the success of two cosmetics brands, Shiseido and Kao:

Japanese cosmetics player Kao became a top ten ranked company for the first time last year, knocking German based Henkel out of tenth place, after driving up its global market share to nearly three per cent.

…

Despite Kao being only one of two Japanese company in the global top ten ranking – the other being Shiseido – both firms are thought to have strong growth prospects and are pushing into overseas markets to capitalise on booming markets, particularly China, to continue to consolidate their leads at the top of the industry.


When it comes to brands, China and Japan make for odd bedfellows. Being associated with Japan may be more of a liability than an asset for your brand in China. In this case, your parents had it right: do your homework (i.e. research) first!

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