China is no slow boat

Halfway around the world in China, Culpeper resident Jim Charapich learned that the mention of the Old Dominion commands respect and appreciation.

After a formal meeting with Chinese politicians and business leaders, Charapich managed to snag a few minutes with vice mayor of the city of Hangzhou.

“I said ‘I’m from Virginia.’ She took a moment, paused and said, ‘Ah, Virginia. Very highly regarded in Hangzhou. Welcome.’

“As a Virginia citizen for all of my life, I thought that that was a great testimony to our relationship for a market that has that impact. They know who we are and they like us.”

Along with 50 other chamber of commerce leaders from across the U.S., Charapich, president of Culpeper’s Chamber of Commerce, traveled to China to network and exchange ideas and information about the business climate, opportunity and cultures of both countries.

Their trip began with a literal flight over the top of the world. When traveling from North America to China, instead of flying west, the 12-hour-long flight traveled over the North Pole, thereby avoiding unfavorable wind conditions.

“My hope is that we can take advantage of the expanding markets in China,” Charapich said. “They’re looking for things to solve those growth issues and to the degree that our businesses locally can provide them with unique products and satisfy other needs they have, that brings wealth to Culpeper.

“My hope is that we can export what we do here to the emerging opportunities in China and take advantage of that expanding market.”

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives, a non-profit association, coordinated the weeklong, $250 trip. While there, the group visited business and government leaders in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou.

As far as differences in business, Charapich said there is a healthy respect for the Chinese government, because the government is involved to some degree in many aspects of orchestrating how the overall business climate operates.

In one case, he recalled inquiring why the building was so chilly at one factory. “The government told them they needed to turn the heat down,” Charapich said.

Although a mandate from the government directly to a business to save energy might seem strange or overbearing to foreigners, Charapich said it reflects part of the internal Chinese mindset. In other words, competition within China to innovate and produce is stiff, but overall, the playing field is level.

“I think there’s just a different system you have to be aware of,” he continued. “Rule No. 1 is be patient.

Off the clock

Although the focus of the trip was business and networking, the group made time for culture and fun too.

While in the Beijing area, they visited Tiananmen Square, the Olympic village, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.

Despite a metro area population of 18 million or so, Charapich said the city — China’s capital —was surprisingly dim quiet at night, probably due to the influence of the government.

On the other hand, in Shanghai, Charapich said bright fluorescent lights line the highways, most of the major buildings are illuminated with colorful design schemes and there were marquees similar to New York’s Times Square.

“The Chinese folks that we interacted with were colorful, hospitable, just fun to be with. It was a delight.”

And on the last night, Charapich had a serendipitous meeting with some other Virginians, a group of U.Va. business school grad students. They met at what he described as a Chinese version of Cirque de Soleil.

Asked if there’s potential to have Chinese business and economic connections in the Culpeper area, Charapich seemed hopeful, pointing to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s upcoming trip to China.

“Knowing that the governor is going to China to talk with them about investing in the United States and Virginia, there is the potential.”