How to make your first business trip to China in 2025 a success: practical advice and HR recommendations

China is one of the most attractive and complex markets for French companies seeking international growth. With the easing of entry formalities, the country is once again attracting executives, project leaders, and site managers. But a business trip to China requires meticulous preparation, including identifying the regions to visit[1] , specific regulations, cultural customs, and the realities on the ground. In this article, we share tips for a successful first business trip to China in 2025.

Entry formalities: a welcome but regulated relaxation

In 2025, China will maintain its visa exemption policy for French nationals (and several other countries) for stays of up to 30 days, including for business purposes. However, passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure from Chinese territory.

For longer stays or specific purposes (trade shows, complex business missions), a business visa (type M or F) is still required. It is issued upon presentation of documents such as a letter of invitation, proof of accommodation, a return airline ticket, and proof of financial resources.

International health insurance covering the entire stay is strongly recommended. Fingerprints will be taken upon arrival.

Prepare your trip to China effectively

Planning your trip

It is essential to plan ahead:

• Book flights and accommodation, especially during major trade fairs (Canton, Shanghai) when hotel demand is high.
• Choosing a hotel, ideally close to the meeting venues or in business districts, to optimize time and logistical efficiency.

Connectivity and payments in China

• Although Wi-Fi is available everywhere in China, a local eSIM, purchased upon arrival at the airport, offers fast access to 5G.
• Mobile payment is widespread in China. It is essential to install Alipay or WeChat Pay, which are now accessible to foreigners via international cards.
• Please note that certain websites and social networks are inaccessible in China, so you will need to make arrangements.

Mobility: plan your internal travel in advance

China is a vast country: traveling within the country can take several hours depending on the region.

• Between cities, opt for high-speed trains or domestic flights.
• Within major cities (Shanghai, Beijing), public transportation is often faster than cars due to heavy traffic, and metro maps can be easily downloaded to cell phones.
• You should also download the DiDi app, the local equivalent of Uber, which you can pay for directly using Alipay or WeChat Pay.

Understanding Chinese business culture

To succeed in China, you need to understand and respect local social and professional codes.

Politeness, punctuality, and symbolism

• Punctuality is more than expected, and meetings often begin in a formal manner.
• It is appreciated to bring a symbolic business gift.
• Learning a few greetings in Mandarin is a positive sign of cultural engagement.

Guanxi: essential relationship capital

Guanxi, or a network of personal and professional relationships, is a prerequisite for doing business. Building trust often involves:

• Informal exchanges (meals, visits, introductions),
• Recognition of hierarchies,
• Maintaining regular contact with your contacts.

How can you start your development in China with flexibility? Wage portage as a first step

When starting a project in China, it is essential to structure your local presence. A relevant option for getting started is wage portage, which allows a foreign company to quickly have a local representative who is operational without creating a legal structure on site.

Wage portage allows you to:

• Benefit from a trusted employee, either expatriate or locally recruited, to manage relationships with customers, distributors, or industrial supervisors
• Assess the market in a concrete way, without taking structural risks and limiting investment;
• Build a progressive HR vision: target profiles, management methods to be adapted, future organization to be defined.

Wage portage is an ideal solution for testing the Chinese market with agility while laying the foundations for a sustainable human resources strategy.

VVR HR, through its umbrella company services, handles the administrative, contractual, and social management of the employee, while ensuring legal compliance and supporting the foreign company in the start-up of its project.

Read the dedicated article: Payroll services in China: everything you need to know

VVR HR: your partner for structuring your teams in China

VVR International has been supporting French companies in their development in China for over 25 years with a comprehensive range of services. The HR department offers:

• Recruitment of local or international profiles
• Outsourcing of HR functions (payroll, contracts, onboarding)
• Payroll services and incubation
• Legal and regulatory support
• Intercultural coaching for executives and teams
• HR audit and implementation diagnosis

Find out more: Recruitment & Umbrella Services – VVR International, strategic development, production, sourcing, distribution, etc.

Contact us!

[1] To learn more about the unique characteristics of China’s largest cities, read our article: Journey to the heart of China’s key business cities.