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Beijing/Shanghai China
Why China?
As Mao Zedong succumbed to the effects of his third heart attack in September of 1976 the mood pervasive in China was one of gloom bordering on despair. Although he was the adored idol of one of the 20th century’s most impressive cults of personality, Mao’s economic policies had been debilitating for the Chinese economy and the Cultural Revolution had brought the country to the brink of implosion. The vast majority of the Chinese population lived in conditions of abject poverty. One of the oldest states in the world and only one hundred and fifty years earlier the epicenter of world economy, in terms of purchasing power parity China now ranked among the poorest of countries. Mao death meant that one of the most important anchors of the Chinese state was gone and in spite of the controversial role he held, his passing only made things worse.
In the year following Mao's death the behind the scenes powerbases in the communist party struggled to gain control of the reins of government. As a result of this struggle in 1977 Deng Xiaoping was called back from political exile to ascend the seat of power. He had been exiled and nearly killed during Mao's purges for advocating for the liberalization of the economy, and the party’s choice was a clear indication that factions in control of the CCP after Mao’s death were ready to lead the country in a new direction.
In the thirty years from 1978 to 2008 the new path taken by the Chinese Government under Deng Xiaoping has proven to be in the right direction and China has undergone one of the most astounding economic transformations ever recorded. Today China is one of the world's largest economies and is on track to overtake the US in the next decades. During some years, growth rates as high as 13 percent have been recorded and with a yearly average of about 10 percent.
For business students China presents an extremely attractive destination because more than any other forces foreign trade and Foreign Direct Investment have defined China’s interaction with the rest of the world for the last three decades. Sometimes referred to as the “factory of the world” the Chinese economy has become a dynamo, attracting manufacturing operations from all sorts of industries. Beyond functioning as a destination for outsourcing, China also presents many opportunities for outside business people due to the enormity of the domestic market. As the world’s most populated state and one slowly rising to the middle income level, future growth prospects are good for virtually any company ready to operate in the Chinese national market.
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Why Beijing and Shanghai?
Beijing is one of the world’s oldest settled sites, with archeological evidence of human habitation as long as 27,000 years ago. It has been the center of several Chinese dynasties and states, and functions as the cultural soul of China. Economically the city is diverse and rapidly growing, boasting strong industries from steel to food manufacturing, an industry sustained by an agrarian belt that surrounds the city and greatly reduces its dependence on foodstuffs from the south of China.
In Beijing business students will have the opportunity to observe industries ranging from automobile production to the finance industry, both of which are very important to the local economy. Additionally the culture and long history of the city make it the optimal destination for tourist activities. From the Forbidden City to modern sites like the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium, Beijing will offer you a multitude of things to do and see during your free time.
While it is in Beijing that one will find the cultural soul of China, there is no doubt that the countries strong economic heart is beating in Shanghai. More than any other city in China, Shanghai has been the embodiment of the reforms of the last thirty years. Currently one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world Shanghai is home to more than 20 million people. It produces about 20 percent of Chinas GDP and strong industries in the region range from finance, in which Shanghai has started to rival Hong Kong, to pharmaceuticals and ship manufacturing, in both of which Shanghai is becoming a world leader.
Although Shanghai does not boast the cultural icons of Beijing, it has an important and interesting history of its own. Much more of an international city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Shanghai has collected an impressive array of architectural styles. Due to this multinational presence, Shanghai has also developed a more cosmopolitan face and is the gateway for outside trends and fashions. If you make the time to enjoy the local culture you will not be disappointed.
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Getting to China
Although valid passports with at least six months validity after your planned exit from China are necessary for entry, the visa process is not too difficult or drawn out, and tourism to China is welcomed and encouraged by the Chinese Government.
If you are a US citizen there should be no problem in acquiring your visa, but please make sure that you have followed the directions for filling out the visa application very carefully and that your application along with the proper documentation arrive at the Accent office before July 15, 2009. As of May 5, 2009 the Chinese embassy and consulates in the US no longer accept expedited visa applications so it is critical that you do not miss the deadline for submitting your visa application to Accent.
If you do not hold a US citizenship it is imperative that you contact Accent upon registration for the trip as visa procedures might differ and sometimes take longer. Although visa processing is included in the cost of this trip, Accent reserves the right to forward any and all additional visa fees that might be applied to non- US citizens applying for Chinese visas.
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