Contending with Cultural clash in China

AS the presence of Nigerian immigrants continue to grow in the People’s Republic of China, many Nigerians have begun to demonstrate utmost displeasure towards the country’s public display of cultural barriers. Their major concern has been that the cultural barriers have in many diverse ways, contributed in dampening business relations between them and the Chinese.
Speaking at the just concluded Business and Investment Seminar in Guangzhou, the Commercial city of China, Secretary General of Nigerian business owners in China, Mr. Chuka Jude Onwualu, expressed dissatisfaction over the consistent ill-treatment both China-based and visiting Nigerian businessmen and women receive on a daily basis while transacting businesses across cities in China.
He told our news agents that the group, which gathered under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Representative Offices China (ANROC), comprises active participants in The People’s Republic of China economy and as such, deserves a most cordial relationship with citizens of the host country while pursuing their various business interest in the country.
Onwualu said, “ANROC is an Association of Nigeria Companies and its registered representative offices based in China and we are active participants in the Chinese Economy. This meeting has become necessary to promote and improve the relationship between Nigeria and China by creating a formal platform to enlighten the growing number of Nigerian immigrants who continues to swell the business population of Guangzhou on the rules of doing business in China as recognized by existing rules guiding such businesses transactions.
“There are companies in this Association which are the lifelines of some Chinese factories; the factories depend solely on orders from some of our members. This close relationship has afforded us the opportunity to participate in the production process whereby we have gained first hand knowledge, which is farther impressive and productive than theoretical analysis of factors and situations.”
He added that doing business in China was losing weight based on the country’s present security situations, and the consistent cultural barriers displayed towards Nigerian businessmen and women appear too discriminating. All these he said happen despite the fact that over 80 per cent of Nigerians who suffer this unwarranted cultural clash, have made indelible marks, business-wise in the South China’s commercial hotspot.
Responding to the reason ANROC came up with strategy to tackle the issue at hand, ANROC President,  Mr. Markson Onwukwe told VCA that the major challenge they faced was gaining recognition from the authorities.
He said, “It took quite a while for the Nigerian embassy in Beijing to formally accept the association. Although, the local security bureau did not have much problem with us, the embassy appeared evasive.
“Besides we had other challenges like building trust and confidence among members and partnering companies. When I introduced the idea of an association like this to my partners, Mr. Jude Chuka, Mr. Richard Enyiobi and Mr. John Chimezie, whom are all here with their registered offices in China, we found out that some of us had once fallen victim of cases that could have been easily avoided had we known what is required in China and the law guiding such business concerns.”